ARCHIVED NEWS

4/27/2008

Zappia Breaks Single-Season Wins Record as Crusaders Knock Off Youngstown State

Shannon Robinson tied Valpo's career doubles record Sunday.

Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) earned her program-record 18th victory of the season Sunday with a complete-game effort, while Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ontario/John Redmond) tied the career doubles record as Valparaiso defeated Youngstown State, 13-5, in the final game of a three-game set.  The Crusaders also set a team single-season record for RBIs in a season during the victory.

...Full Story
4/26/2008

Crusaders Break Single-Season Wins Record

Courtney LaFerle delivered a clutch 2-RBI single to give Valpo the lead for good in the opener.
Senior Courtney LaFerle (Elgin, Ill./Larkin) knocked a two-run single up the middle in the fifth inning on Senior Day to give Valparaiso the lead for good as the Crusaders beat Youngstown State in the opener, 4-1, to set a new program record for wins in a single season with 28.  The Penguins bounced back to defeat Valpo in the nightcap, 7-2....Full Story
4/24/2008

Crusaders Split Twinbill at Wright State; Tie Single-Season Wins Record

Andrea Zappia set Valpo's single-season strikeouts record Thursday.
Valparaiso split a Horizon League doubleheader with Wright State on Thursday afternoon in Dayton, Ohio, taking the opener 3-2 in nine innings before falling 4-2 in the nightcap.  The Crusaders tied the school record for victories in a single season with the win in the first game, while Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) broke the program record for strikeouts in a single season in the opener....Full Story
4/24/2008

Notre Dame Game Date Changed

Randy Schneider will now lead the Crusaders against Notre Dame on Tuesday, April 29.

The Valparaiso softball team’s home game against Notre Dame, originally scheduled for next Thursday, May 1, will now be held on Tuesday, April 29 at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.  First pitch will remain at 5 p.m. CDT.

...Full Story
4/22/2008

Pitching Carries Crusaders Into First Place

Andrea Zappia allowed just one hit in ten innings of work Tuesday.
Valparaiso pitchers Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) and Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) combined to allow just one Butler baserunner past first base on the day as the Crusaders swept a Horizon League doubleheader from the Bulldogs by identical 2-0 scores.  The sweep moves Valpo into first place in the league standings....Full Story
4/21/2008

Crusaders Ready for Key Stretch of Seven League Games This Week

Andrea Zappia earned another win last Tuesday at Purdue and is now 13-5 with a 1.93 ERA on the season.

Valparaiso returns to Horizon League play with a full slate of games this week, playing seven league contests in a six-day span. The Crusaders are set up for a run at the top spot in the league, as they enter the week in second place.  There will be a tailgate held beginning at 1 p.m prior to Tuesday's doubleheader with Butler, with a first pitch of 2 p.m.  Open to all fans, the tailgate will feature free food and music.

...Full Story
4/15/2008

Crusaders Earn Doubleheader Split at Purdue

Alicia Ashburn drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of the nightcap Tuesday.
Valparaiso scored three times in the top of the eighth inning of the nightcap of a doubleheader Tuesday at Big Ten foe Purdue, earning a 4-1 extra-inning victory over the Boilermakers.  Despite holding Purdue to just three hits in the opener, the Boilermakers scored a 3-0 victory as the two squads split the twinbill....Full Story
4/14/2008

Crusader Softball Team Carries Four-Game Win Streak into Purdue

Mallory Gill hit four home runs last week.
Valparaiso steps out of league play this week, as the Crusaders’ only action is a doubleheader Tuesday at Big Ten foe Purdue.  Valpo enters the twinbill on a four-game winning streak and has won six of its last seven games, and carries two consecutive wins against the Boilermakers into the pair of games....Full Story
4/14/2008

Gill Earns Player of the Week Honors

Mallory Gill earned her first career Player of the Week honors.
Senior infielder Mallory Gill (Beloit, Wis./Memorial) has been named the Horizon League’s Player of the Week after leading the Valparaiso softball team to a 4-0 record last week....Full Story
4/11/2008

Robinson Breaks Career Hits Mark as Crusaders Sweep UIC Doubleheader

Shannon Robinson broke Valpo's career hits record Friday.
Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ontario/John Redmond) went 4-for-4 in the opening game of a Horizon League doubleheader and broke Valparaiso’s career hits record with a single in the sixth inning of the nightcap as the Crusaders swept UIC Friday evening by scores of 12-3 and 10-5.  The third game of the series has been canceled due to forecasted inclement weather for the rest of the weekend....Full Story
4/10/2008

Doubleheader at UIC Pushed Up to Friday Evening

Mallory Gill drove in eight runs for Valpo on Wednesday.
The Crusader softball team’s first taste of Horizon League road action will come one day earlier than expected, as Valpo’s doubleheader at UIC has been moved to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 11 due to forecasted weather over the weekend....Full Story
4/9/2008

Offensive Onslaught Gives Crusaders Sweep of Twinbill

Ashley Wolter connects on her first inning grand slam in the opener Wednesday.

Valparaiso scored eight runs before making its first out of the opening game of a doubleheader Wednesday at IPFW and never looked back, sweeping the Mastodons by scores of 12-3 and 8-4.

...Full Story
4/8/2008

Crusaders Begin Seven-Game Road Stretch This Week

Ashley Wolter is second on the Crusaders with a .315 batting average.
After breaking numerous team and individual records last weekend, Valparaiso takes to the road this week, facing off against non-league foe IPFW in a doubleheader at Fort Wayne on Wednesday before returning to Horizon League action this weekend at current league leader UIC.  Please note that the start times for Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's single game at UIC are 1 p.m. CDT....Full Story
4/6/2008

Valpo Drops One-Run Decision to Loyola

Tracy Korth tallied her team-best eighth double of the season Sunday.
Valparaiso came out on the wrong end of a 1-0 pitchers’ duel Sunday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, as Loyola pushed across an unearned run in the third inning for the game’s only tally....Full Story
4/5/2008

Record-Breaking Day Propels Crusaders to Doubleheader Sweep

Andrea Zappia broke Valpo's career strikeouts record Saturday.
Three school records fell Saturday afternoon as Valparaiso swept a doubleheader from defending Horizon League regular-season champion Loyola at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.  The Crusaders rallied for a 7-3 win in the opener and took a tight 2-1 decision in the nightcap.  With the first win, head coach Randy Schneider earned his 100th victory at Valpo and 200th overall....Full Story
4/4/2008

Zappia Receives Scholar-Athlete of the Month Honors

Andrea Zappia earned Horizon League U.S. Army Scholar-Athlete of the Month honors.
The Horizon League announced today that Crusader senior pitcher Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) has been named its U.S. Army Female Scholar-Athlete of the Month for the month of March....Full Story
4/3/2008

Crusaders Drop Doubleheader at #18/25 DePaul

Karen Korb tied Valpo's single-season stolen bases record Thursday.
Valparaiso took early leads in both ends of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon against #18/25 DePaul in Chicago, Ill., but the Blue Demons rallied for victories in both games, taking the opener, 6-2, and the nightcap, 8-2.  Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) stole three bases on the day, tying Valpo’s single-season stolen bases record with 21 on the year....Full Story
4/2/2008

Crusaders Head to Nationally-Ranked DePaul, Return Home for League Series Vs. Loyola

Head coach Randy Schneider's next win will be his 100th at the helm of the Valpo program.
The Valparaiso softball team travels to nationally-ranked DePaul on Thursday for a doubleheader against the Blue Demons before returning home to the Valparaiso University Softball Field for a three-game Horizon League series against Loyola on Saturday and Sunday.  Crusader head coach Randy Schneider will pick up his 100th win at the helm of the Valpo program with the team's next victory....Full Story
4/1/2008

Korb Receives Scholar-Athlete of the Week Honors

Karen Korb becomes the 11th Crusader athlete this academic year to earn Scholar-Athlete of the Week honors.
The Horizon League announced today that junior outfielder Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) has been named its U.S. Army Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week....Full Story
3/30/2008

Crusaders Fall in Series Finale to Detroit

Shannon Robinson drove in a run and tallied two hits Sunday.
Valparaiso rallied from an early four-run deficit to tie the game in the fourth inning Sunday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, but Detroit scored the final three runs of the game to earn a 7-4 victory in the finale of the three-game series....Full Story
3/29/2008

Crusaders Sweep Detroit in Horizon League Twinbill

Tracy Korth led the Crusaders with three runs scored Saturday.
Valparaiso opened its inaugural season of Horizon League softball action at the Valparaiso University Softball Field Saturday, sweeping Detroit by scores of 10-0 and 3-2....Full Story
3/28/2008

Korb Selected to Attend NCAA Leadership Conference

Karen Korb will be attending the 2008 NCAA Leadership Conference.
Valparaiso's Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) has been selected to attend the 2008 NCAA Leadership Conference May 25-27 at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
...Full Story
3/27/2008

Crusaders’ Weekend Series against Detroit Moved to Valpo

The Crusaders will now open the Horizon League slate at home this weekend.
The Valparaiso softball team’s three-game weekend series against Detroit has been moved from Detroit to Valparaiso due to unplayable field conditions at Buysse Ballpark.  The two squads will now play a doubleheader at the Valparaiso University Softball Field on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m., followed by a single game on Sunday at noon....Full Story
3/26/2008

Crusaders Split Doubleheader At Central Michigan

Karen Korb tallied four hits and scored three runs Wednesday.
Valparaiso’s offense carried the day Wednesday as the Crusaders split a doubleheader at Central Michigan, dropping the opener, 4-3, before rebounding for a win in the nightcap, 8-6....Full Story
3/25/2008

Crusaders Sweep Tuesday Afternoon Twinbill

Courtney LaFerle went 4-for-5 with four RBIs on Tuesday.
Valparaiso took both ends of a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field from Northern Illinois, downing the Huskies 5-2 in the opener before earning a 5-1 victory in the nightcap....Full Story
3/24/2008

Valpo Opens Home Slate with Extra Innings Split

Andrea Zappia carried a perfect game into the seventh inning Monday and eventually earned her seventh win of the season.
Valparaiso opened its 2008 home campaign on Monday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field splitting a doubleheader with Ball State.  Both games went extra innings with the Crusaders winning the opener 1-0 in eight while the Cardinals took the nightcap 4-3 in nine innings....Full Story
3/21/2008

Crusaders’ Weekend Series Canceled; Game Time Change for Tuesday

Mallory Gill knocked in three runs last weekend at the Maryland Spring Break Classic.
The Valparaiso softball team’s weekend series against Green Bay has been canceled due to forecasted temperatures in the Valparaiso area and will not be made up.  The Crusaders will now open the home campaign on Monday with a doubleheader against Ball State at 2 p.m. CDT....Full Story
3/19/2008

Zappia Earns Horizon League Pitcher of the Week Honor

Andrea Zappia received her second Horizon League Pitcher of the Week honor.
For the second time this season, senior Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) has been named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week.  Zappia earns this week’s accolade after going 2-0 with a save at last weekend’s Maryland Spring Break Classic, including a complete-game victory over #23 Maryland, Valpo’s first over a ranked opponent in the tenure of head coach Randy Schneider....Full Story
3/16/2008

Crusaders Close Out Pre-Conference Slate With Triumph

Karen Korb drew three walks, stole two bases and scored two runs on Sunday.
Valparaiso finished out its pre-conference schedule Sunday with a 3-2 victory over St. Peter’s at the Maryland Spring Break Classic in College Park, Md....Full Story
3/15/2008

Crusaders Defeat #23 Maryland in Saturday Action

Tracy Korth drove in the go-ahead run in Valpo's win over #23 Maryland Saturday.
Valparaiso used a seven-run fourth inning Saturday afternoon in College Park, Md. to defeat #23 Maryland, 7-5, in action at the Maryland Spring Break Classic.  The win was the first over a ranked opponent in the five-year tenure of head coach Randy Schneider.  The Crusaders dropped their first game of the day to Niagara, 5-3....Full Story
3/14/2008

Crusaders Allow Just Four Hits in Friday Split

Stephanie Kelly threw five innings of two-hit relief against Lehigh.
Valparaiso pitchers allowed just four hits on Friday at the Maryland Spring Break Classic in College Park, Md., as the Crusaders split a pair of games.  Valpo dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to Lehigh in its opener before bouncing back for an 8-0 win over UMBC....Full Story
3/13/2008

Crusader Softball Game Time Changed

The Crusaders will now play Green Bay at 3 p.m. on March 23.
Valparaiso’s March 23 game against Green Bay at the Valparaiso University Softball Field will now begin at 3 p.m. CDT.  The game had previously been slated to start at noon....Full Story
3/12/2008

Jacobson Tabbed as League’s Pitcher of the Week

Jill Jacobson has yet to give up a run in the circle this year.
Freshman outfielder/pitcher Jill Jacobson (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) has been named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week after her outstanding performance in her first career start in the circle last week against Holy Cross....Full Story
3/11/2008

Zappia Earns Scholar-Athlete of the Week Recognition

Andrea Zappia did not allow an earned run in 12.1 innings of work last week.
Senior pitcher Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) has been named the U.S. Army Horizon League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week after her outstanding performance last week at the Rebel Spring Games....Full Story
3/7/2008

Crusaders’ Weekend Tournament Canceled

Through 12 games, Ashley Wolter leads Valpo with a .424 batting average.
The Valparaiso softball team’s scheduled games this weekend at the Kentucky Frostbite Classic in Lexington, Ky. have been canceled due to inclement weather.  The games will not be made up....Full Story
3/5/2008

Crusaders Extend Winning Streak to Five Games

Aubrey Sundling scored the game-winning run versus La Salle.
Valparaiso got an RBI single from Whitney Warner (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) in the eighth inning against La Salle to earn a 4-3 victory, and closed out play at the Rebel Spring Games with a 5-1 win over Sacred Heart....Full Story
3/5/2008

Zappia Receives Horizon League Honor; Named One of 30 Candidates for Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award

Andrea Zappia has not allowed an earned run in her last 19 innings of work.
Valparaiso senior pitcher Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) has been named one of 30 candidates nationwide for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in the softball division.  In addition, Zappia was honored by the Horizon League as its Pitcher of the Week....Full Story
3/4/2008

Crusaders Take Two at Rebel Spring Games

Jill Jacobson threw a three-hit shutout against Holy Cross Tuesday.
Valparaiso avenged Monday’s loss to Lehigh with a win over the Mountain Hawks on Tuesday, 2-1, and followed with a 7-0 victory against Holy Cross in action at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla....Full Story
3/3/2008

Crusaders Win One Monday at Rebel Spring Games

Shannon Robinson went 4-for-8 on the day with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Valparaiso dropped its first two games Monday at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., falling to Western Carolina, 4-3, and Lehigh, 1-0, both in eight innings.  The Crusaders bounced back, however, defeating Fairfield, 12-4, in their final game of the day....Full Story
3/2/2008

Korb Breaks Career Stolen Bases Record as Crusaders Win Twice at Rebel Spring Games

Karen Korb broke Valpo's career stolen bases record Sunday.
Junior Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) stole two bases in the third inning of Valparaiso’s 2-0 victory over Sacred Heart Sunday morning at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., breaking the Crusader career stolen bases record previously held by Laura Ebersole.  Valpo came from behind to win the nightcap against Holy Cross, 7-6, to finish the day....Full Story
3/1/2008

Softball Doubleheader at Rebel Spring Games Canceled

Ashley Wolter hit .500 in Valpo's opening weekend.
The Valparaiso softball team’s scheduled doubleheader at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla. against Fairfield today has been canceled due to travel difficulties for the Stags....Full Story
2/26/2008

Warner Named Horizon League Player of the Week

Whitney Warner became the first Crusader softball player to earn Horizon League weekly honors.
Sophomore Whitney Warner (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) has been named the Horizon League softball Player of the Week today after kicking off the season with seven hits in three games last weekend at the Tulsa Invitational....Full Story
2/24/2008

Crusaders Defeat Eastern Illinois, 6-1

Whitney Warner went 3-for-4 at the plate Sunday.
Valparaiso closed out action at the Tulsa Invitational Sunday morning by earning its first victory of the 2008 season with a 6-1 win over Eastern Illinois....Full Story
2/23/2008

Crusaders Fall To North Dakota State, Tulsa

Ashley Wolter slugged two home runs among her four hits Saturday.
Junior Ashley Wolter (Denver, Iowa) hit two home runs during a 4-for-5 day, but Valparaiso dropped its first two games of the 2008 campaign, falling 4-3 to North Dakota State and 8-5 against Tulsa at the Tulsa Invitational....Full Story
2/22/2008

Game Against Tulsa Postponed; Tournament Schedule Revised

Senior Chris Halstead and the rest of the Crusaders will have to wait another day to take the field.
Valparaiso’s season-opener at the Tulsa Invitational against the host Golden Hurricane has been postponed for a second time.  In addition, the tournament schedule has been revised for the rest of the weekend....Full Story
2/20/2008

Crusaders Aim to Build on Record-Setting Campaign in 2008

Senior Andrea Zappia ranks 14th in NCAA Division I history with 14 career saves.
The Valparaiso University softball program has been on the upswing the past few years, climbing to a school record-tying 27 victories last season while setting team single-season records for home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage and stolen bases.  The Crusaders will look to continue their upward momentum in 2008 as they enter the Horizon League, as head coach Randy Schneider returns his entire pitching staff, along with six starting position players....Full Story
2/19/2008

Crusader Games Moved at Tulsa Invitational

Randy Schneider will guide the Crusaders into their first game of the season on Friday.
Due to inclement weather in the forecast for Thursday afternoon at the Tulsa Invitational, the Crusaders’ schedule for the tournament has been adjusted....Full Story
1/23/2008

Crusaders Picked Fifth in Horizon League Preseason Poll

Andrea Zappia enters the 2008 season tied for 14th in NCAA history in career saves.

The Valparaiso University softball team has been tabbed to finish in fifth place in the Horizon League in preseason polling of the league’s head coaches.

...Full Story
12/27/2007

Softball Team to Hold Two Days of Clinics

Crusader head coach Randy Schneider and the rest of the coaching staff and players will be hosting two days of clinics.
The Valparaiso University softball team will be hosting pitching clinics on Sunday, January 20 and defensive skills/hitting clinics on Sunday, February 3 for youths from 10-18 years old....Full Story
12/10/2007

Crusaders Announce 2008 Softball Schedule

Shannon Robinson is one of Valpo's six returning position players.
Valparaiso University head softball coach Randy Schneider announced his 2008 schedule today, which is highlighted by 16 home games over ten dates at the Valparaiso University Softball Field....Full Story
11/26/2007

Crusaders Ink Seven Softball Recruits to NLIs

Randy Schneider received seven commitments during the early signing period.
Head coach Randy Schneider announced today that the Valparaiso softball team has signed seven players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.  The group of seven players, which includes an NFCA High School All-American and four players considered Top Prospects from the class of 2008 by Rivals.com, will join the Crusader program as freshmen for the 2009 season....Full Story
11/1/2007

Crusaders Boast 12 NFCA Scholar-Athletes

Valpo had the sixth-highest cumulative team GPA in Division I softball last season.
12 Valparaiso softball players have been named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar-Athletes for their performance in the classroom last season.  The 12 honorees helped the Crusaders to the sixth-best cumulative team GPA in Division I softball....Full Story
10/1/2007

Crusaders Among Nation’s Top-Ten Academically

Randy Schneider's team ranked sixth in the nation in GPA.
The Valparaiso University softball team posted the sixth-highest team grade point average in the nation among Division I schools last year, as released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)....Full Story
9/19/2007

Crusader Baseball and Softball Teams To Face Off

The Crusader softball team will take on the baseball team on Thursday, Sept. 27.
The Valparaiso baseball and softball teams invite all fans to come out to a new tradition, the 1st Annual Softball vs. Baseball Challenge.  The challenge will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 27 at the Valparaiso University Softball Field....Full Story
8/27/2007

Crusader Softball Team Announces Fall Schedule

The Valparaiso softball team tied the school record for wins in 2007 with 27.
Head coach Randy Schneider announced today that the Valparaiso softball team will be playing eight games, including two games at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, during the fall of 2007....Full Story
7/25/2007

Crusaders Add Campos to 2008 Freshman Class

Head coach Randy Schneider

Head coach Randy Schneider announced today that Jenna Campos will join the Valparaiso softball team for the 2008 season.  With the addition of Campos, the Crusaders have five incoming freshmen for their first season of Horizon League play.

...Full Story
5/10/2007

Five Players Receive All Mid-Con Accolades

Taylor Callahan earned her third straight All-Conference honor.
For the second consecutive year, five members of the Valparaiso softball team earned All Mid-Continent Conference recognition as the league announced its annual awards today. Taylor Callahan (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) and Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ont./John Redmond) were named to the First Team, while Megan Carroll (Eaton Rapids, Mich./Eaton Rapids), Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) and Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) earned Second Team honors....Full Story
5/10/2007

Three Crusaders Earn Academic All-District Honors

Karen Korb
Valparaiso University's Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North), Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ont./John Redmond) and Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) have all been named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V Second Team as announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)....Full Story
5/7/2007

Crusaders Tie Single-Season Victory Record

Andrea Zappia carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning.
Valparaiso closed out its 2007 season Monday afternoon with a 5-0 victory over Oakland in Rochester, Mich. The win gives the Crusaders a final record of 27-19, matching the 1986 and 1987 Valpo squads for the most wins in a season in school history....Full Story
5/6/2007

Valpo Splits Twinbill With Oakland; Callahan, Robinson Set School Records

Taylor Callahan (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) broke Valparaiso's career hits record Sunday, while Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ont./John Redmond) surpassed the Crusader single-season hits record as Valpo split a doubleheader with Oakland Sunday in Rochester, Mich. The Crusaders dropped the opener in nine innings, 2-1, before bouncing back with an 8-2 victory in the nightcap....Full Story
5/5/2007

Crusaders Drop Doubleheader to Western Illinois

Valparaiso closed out its 2007 home season Saturday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field against Western Illinois, dropping both games of the doubleheader to the Westerwinds, 4-1 in eight innings and 5-3....Full Story
5/4/2007

Westerwinds Edge Crusaders in Pitchers' Duel

Valparaiso's Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) and Western Illinois' Kamren Ferguson hooked up in an old-fashioned pitchers' duel Friday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, but the Westerwinds pushed the lone run of the game across in the sixth inning to win 1-0....Full Story
5/3/2007

Valpo Falls Twice at Michigan State

Valparaiso traveled to East Lansing, Mich. to take on Big Ten foe Michigan State Thursday afternoon, but the Spartans came away with the doubleheader sweep, winning by scores of 7-4 and 8-1. Taylor Callahan (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) tied the Valpo record for doubles in a career with the 35th two-bagger of her career....Full Story
5/1/2007

Crusaders To Close Out Regular Season

Valparaiso will play eight games in a five-day span beginning Thursday to close out regular season play. Series against Western Illinois and Oakland will determine whether the Crusaders make the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament for the first time in four seasons....Full Story
4/28/2007

Crusaders Split Doubleheader With Centenary

Taylor Callahan's (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) 14th double of the season set a new school record and led off a four-run eighth inning in the series finale against Centenary in Shreveport, La. Saturday, as Valpo won the second game of the doubleheader, 5-1. The Ladies took Saturday's opener from Valpo by a 7-1 score....Full Story
4/27/2007

Valpo Drops Series Opener at Centenary

A furious two-out rally in the seventh inning fell one run short for Valparaiso Friday evening in Shreveport, La., as Centenary held on for a 6-5 victory in the series opener....Full Story
4/26/2007

Crusaders Head to Centenary

Valparaiso will look to make a push for the top spot in the conference this weekend as the Crusaders head to Centenary for a key three-game series against the Ladies....Full Story
4/21/2007

Valpo Softball Schedule Advisory

Due to unplayable field conditions at the Ellig Sports Complex in Fargo, N.D., Sunday's scheduled doubleheader at North Dakota State has been canceled and will not be made up....Full Story
4/21/2007

Crusaders Sweep South Dakota State

Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) tossed a one-hitter with a career-high 12 strikeouts, while Tracy Korth (Elgin, Ill./Larkin [Elgin C.C.]) gave Valpo all the offense it would need with a first-inning grand slam as the Crusaders defeated South Dakota State in the opener of a doubleheader Saturday, 5-1. The Brown and Gold completed the doubleheader sweep, taking the nightcap from the Jackrabbits, 5-2....Full Story
4/19/2007

Crusaders Downed by Notre Dame

Valparaiso registered seven hits Thursday afternoon in Notre Dame, Ind. against the Fighting Irish, but was unable to push any runs across the plate, falling to Notre Dame, 5-0....Full Story
4/18/2007

Crusaders Emerge Victorious in Slugfest with Purdue

Valparaiso jumped out to a 9-1 lead after three innings and held on for a 12-11 victory Wednesday afternoon over Big Ten foe Purdue at the Valparaiso University Softball Field. With the win, the Crusaders extend their winning streak to five games....Full Story
4/17/2007

Crusaders Poised for Six Games

Winners of seven of its last nine games, the Crusader softball team will play four different teams over the next five days, kicking off the stretch with a home game against Purdue Wednesday at 4 p.m....Full Story
4/16/2007

No-Hitter Propels Valpo to Sweep of IPFW

Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) and Carrie Franson (Poynette, Wis./Poynette) combined on Valparaiso's first no-hitter in over five years as the Crusaders won the opener over IPFW 8-0 in five innings Monday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field. In the nightcap, Taylor Callahan (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) hit two home runs to propel the Crusaders to a 6-1 victory for the sweep....Full Story
4/16/2007

Callahan Earns Mid-Con Player of the Week Honors

Taylor Callahan (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) was named the Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Week today after hitting .478 over the Crusaders' seven games last week....Full Story
4/14/2007

Crusaders Defeat IUPUI in Rubber Game of Series

Valparaiso struck right away Saturday, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning and rolling to a 6-1 victory over IUPUI in the final game of a three-game series at the Valparaiso University Softball Field....Full Story
4/13/2007

Crusaders Split Two With IUPUI; Adamski Sets School Record

Valparaiso dropped the opener Friday to IUPUI in Valparaiso, Ind., 7-3, but bounced back for a 6-3 win in the nightcap to split the Mid-Con doubleheader. Beth Adamski (Saint John, Ind./Lake Central) registered her 965th career putout late in game one, becoming Valpo's career leader in the category....Full Story
4/12/2007

Crusaders Return Home For Start of Homestand

Valparaiso begins its longest homestand of the 2007 season this weekend, as the Crusaders host IUPUI for a doubleheader Friday beginning at 2 p.m. CDT and a single game Saturday starting at noon. Valpo will follow with a Monday doubleheader versus IPFW beginning at 3 p.m....Full Story
4/11/2007

Crusader Softball Schedule Advisory

The Crusader softball team's schedule for this coming weekend has been amended. Valpo and IUPUI will now play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 2 p.m. CDT, and will follow on Saturday with a single game beginning at noon....Full Story
4/10/2007

Valpo Splits Pair at Northern Illinois

Valparaiso emerged victorious over Northern Illinois in an extra-inning slugfest, 8-6, in game one of the two teams' doubleheader Tuesday in DeKalb, Ill., but the Crusaders fell in the nightcap, 4-1....Full Story
4/9/2007

Crusaders Sweep Both Ends of Doubleheader

The Crusader softball team took full advantage of its first games in nine days Monday, sweeping a doubleheader from Saint Joseph's (Ind.) at a cold and snowy Valparaiso University Softball Field, 5-2 and 5-1....Full Story
4/4/2007

Crusaders' Games at Notre Dame, Oakland Postponed

Valparaiso's scheduled game Wednesday afternoon at Notre Dame has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up Thursday, April 19 at 4 p.m. CDT. Also, the Crusaders' scheduled series this weekend at Oakland has been postponed until May 6-7....Full Story
4/3/2007

Softball Hits the Road To Take On Notre Dame, Oakland This Week

Valparaiso hits the road for four games this week, starting with a single game Wednesday afternoon at in-state foe Notre Dame. The Crusaders follow this weekend with a trip to Rochester, Mich. for a three-game series against conference rival Oakland....Full Story
3/31/2007

Valpo Splits Saturday's Doubleheader with Southern Utah

Mallory Gill's (Beloit, Wis./Memorial H.S.) grand slam which came as part of a six-run fifth inning helped Valparaiso rally from a five-run deficit to defeat Southern Utah 7-6 in game one of a doubleheader on a rainy Saturday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field. The Thunderbirds won the nightcap 8-0....Full Story
3/30/2007

Southern Utah Tops Valpo in Extra Innings

Marci Pratt's two-run double in the top of the ninth inning lifted Southern Utah to a 7-5 victory over Valparaiso in Mid-Continent Conference action on Friday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field....Full Story
3/28/2007

Home Opener Against Purdue Postponed

Valparaiso's home-opening doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday against Purdue has been postponed due to the threat of inclement weather. The two teams will now play a single game at 4 p.m. on April 18....Full Story
3/27/2007

Crusaders Open Home Slate This Week

Fresh off of a three-game sweep of UMKC, Valpo will open the 2007 home campaign with a doubleheader Wednesday versus Big Ten foe Purdue, beginning at 2 p.m. The Crusaders will also host Southern Utah for a three-game conference series Friday and Saturday....Full Story
3/26/2007

Callahan Named Mid-Con Player of the Week

Taylor Callahan (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) has been named the Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Week after batting .667 for the Crusaders during their three-game sweep of UMKC last weekend....Full Story
3/24/2007

Crusaders Sweep Kangaroos in Mid-Con Doubleheader

Valparaiso emerged from its first Mid-Continent Conference series of the season perfect, as the Crusaders earned wins by scores of 4-2 and 14-1 in Saturday's doubleheader to complete the sweep of the three-game set....Full Story
3/23/2007

Crusaders Cruise to 5-0 Victory over UMKC

Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) pitched a gem, holding the Kangaroos hitless over the final five innings, and Karen Korb (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran North) jumpstarted the Crusader offense with two hits and three stolen bases as Valparaiso opened Mid-Con play with a 5-0 win over UMKC Friday in Kansas City, Mo....Full Story
3/22/2007

Crusaders Open Mid-Con Campaign at UMKC

Valparaiso opens its final season of Mid-Continent Conference action this weekend as the Crusaders take on the Kangaroos of UMKC in Kansas City in a three-game series....Full Story
3/21/2007

Valpo-IPFW Doubleheader Cancelled

Softball's scheduled doubleheader on Wednesday at IPFW has been cancelled due to weather conditions. The games will not be made up....Full Story
3/15/2007

Valpo-IPFW Doubleheader Postponed

Valparaiso's scheduled doubleheader Saturday at IPFW has been postponed and rescheduled for next
Wednesday, March 21. The opening pitch of the first game is scheduled for 2 p.m. CDT....Full Story
3/13/2007

Valpo Splits Pair at East Tennessee State

Valparaiso split a doubleheader Tuesday at East Tennessee State in Johnson City, Tenn. The Crusaders fell in the opener, 4-3, before rebounding to capture the nightcap, 4-1....Full Story
3/12/2007

Crusaders Fall Twice to Gardner-Webb

Valparaiso had its eight-game winning streak snapped Monday, as the Crusaders fell at Gardner-Webb by scores of 11-1 and 5-4. The winning streak ends as the second-longest such streak in program history....Full Story
3/12/2007

Carroll, Zappia Honored by Mid-Con

Megan Carroll (Eaton Rapids, Mich./Eaton Rapids) and Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) have been named the Mid-Continent Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, after leading Valparaiso to an 8-2 record last week at the Rebel Spring Games....Full Story
3/10/2007

Crusaders Lengthen Winning Streak to Eight Games

Valparaiso earned two more one-run victories Saturday as the Crusaders closed out action at the Rebel Spring Games, defeating Colgate, 2-1, and Fairleigh Dickinson, 3-2. The wins extend Valpo's winning streak to eight games, and move the Crusaders to 9-3 overall, the best 12-game start in program history....Full Story
3/9/2007

Crusaders Win Two More; Extend Winning Streak to Six Games

Valparaiso won a pair of one-run decisions Friday at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., downing Detroit, 5-4, and Monmouth, 3-2. The two victories extend the Crusaders' win streak to six games, the longest such streak by a Valpo softball team in 18 seasons. Taylor Callahan (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) broke the school record for assists in a career in the opener and registered the game-winning home run in the nightcap....Full Story
3/8/2007

Valpo Takes Two More Victories at Rebel Spring Games

Valparaiso continued its spring break trip at the Rebel Spring Games Thursday with two more victories, defeating Penn 4-2 and 2006 NCAA Regional participant Lehigh, 2-1. Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) earned the win in both games for the Crusaders....Full Story
3/6/2007

Valpo Explodes Offensively to Win Twice at Rebel Spring Games

Valparaiso's bats came alive Tuesday at the Rebel Spring Games, exploding for 22 hits and 21 runs over the two contests as the Crusaders defeated Sacred Heart, 13-6, and Georgetown, 8-0. Megan Carroll (Eaton Rapids, Mich./Eaton Rapids) led the Crusader attack with six hits, including four extra-base knocks, in eight at-bats....Full Story
3/5/2007

Crusaders Drop Two at Rebel Spring Games

Valparaiso's season continued Monday at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla. The Crusaders dropped an extra-inning decision to Saint Peter's, losing 3-2 in eight frames, before falling in their nightcap to Penn, 9-1 in six innings....Full Story
3/4/2007

Crusaders Open Season With Split at Rebel Spring Games

Valparaiso kicked off the season with an 8-2 victory over Detroit, but lost 1-0 to Tennessee State in its second game at the Rebel Spring Games Sunday in Orlando, Fla....Full Story
2/28/2007

Valpo Softball Ready for Breakout Season

After registering 22 wins in 2006, the most by a Crusader squad in 17 years, the 2007 Valparaiso University softball team is poised for a breakout season....Full Story
1/25/2007

Crusaders Picked Fourth in Mid-Con Preseason Poll

The Valparaiso University softball team has been tabbed to finish in fourth place in the Mid-Continent Conference in preseason polling of the league's head coaches....Full Story
1/19/2007

Valpo to Hold Softball Coaches Clinic

The Valparaiso University softball program will be hosting a Coaches Clinic on February 10th and 11th at the Athletics-Recreation Center....Full Story
11/30/2006

Crusaders Release 2007 Softball Schedule

Valparaiso head softball coach Randy Schneider unveiled today his schedule for the 2007 campaign....Full Story
11/16/2006

Crusaders Boast Eight NFCA Scholar-Athletes

Eight Valpo softball players have been named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar-Athletes for their performance in the classroom last season....Full Story
11/15/2006

Valpo Inks Four Signees During Early Signing Period

Valparaiso softball coach Randy Schneider announced today that four players have signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. Kathryn Boldt, Lisa DeBruzzi, Jill Jacobson, and Jamie Weinburger will join the Crusader program as freshman for the 2008 season....Full Story
9/14/2006

2006 Softball Camps Set for October 7

The Valparaiso softball team will host its 2006 softball camps Saturday, October 7 at the Valparaiso University Softball Field....Full Story