Crusaders headed back to the NCAA tournament

CHICAGO | When it comes to thriving under pressure, the Valparaiso softball team sure knows how to deliver.

Ranieri easing into key role for Valparaiso University softball

VALPARAISO | Kat Ranieri can’t pinpoint the moment when she stopped feeling like a freshman, but the Valparaiso newcomer has a newfound confidence heading into the postseason.

Redshirt-junior among leaders hoping to guide Valparaiso back to NCAA tournament

VALPARAISO | Jessie Marinec has been through plenty of speed bumps in her softball career that have forced her to cherish every opportunity she has to take the field.

Scouting local college softball teams

Last season's records in parentheses

Hanover Central grad Gibson hopes for improvement this season

Tiffany Gibson can't wait for her second season.

Andrean's Crandol signs on to play with South Suburban College

Katie Crandol hoped to be a college softball player when she was little. That's the dream of many kids.

Athletic department growth continues at Purdue Calumet

HAMMOND | Dave Griffin has been a name synonymous with baseball in Northwest Indiana for two decades.

Savannah Soppet signs with UIC

Beecher softball star Savannah Soppet said it was not a hard choice to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Portage's Hodges signs with Southern Indiana

Portage's Hodges signs with Southern Indiana Portage High School catcher Haley Hodges recently signed her national letter of intent to play softball at the University of Southern Indiana. Hodges was an All-State First Team selection and the Duneland Athletic Conference co-MVP last season. As…

Softball is just part of what makes up VU's latest star, Angie Doerffler

VALPARAISO | The legend of Angie Doerffler took on a life of its own Saturday as the Valparaiso sophomore hit her first career home run and then delivered back-to-back walk-off hits to send the Crusaders to their first NCAA tournament.

Where Are They Now? Michelle Venturella

Michelle Venturella knows competing in Division I softball is a tough go for a mid-major school like Illinois-Chicago, but she won't let that be an excuse.

Malerich returns home with VU softball team

VALPARAISO | After leading Merrillville to an IHSAA state title in 1997, Leslie Malerich went on to break nearly every pitching record at Florida State and star for the Italian national team in the 2004 Olympics.

Dumezich, Ketchum to play on national TV in softball

Both players wear No. 1 for their respective teams. Both of the region standouts come from the same small-school high school conference.

Crusaders still alive in the Horizon League softball tournament

After a whirlwind day, the Valparaiso University softball team is the top-remaining seed in the Horizon League tournament but still has plenty of work to do to bring home a championship.

Crusaders have outside chance at regular season title with sweep Cleveland State this weekend

VALPARAISO | With one weekend remaining in the regular season, Alex Lagesse and the rest of her Valparaiso softball teammates find themselves on the doorstep of history.

Wheeler product is staff ace for the Panthers in her first season

WESTVILLE | It didn't take Lanay Parks long to realize that life in college was going to be just a bit different than it was in high school.

Schneider steps down as Valparaiso University softball coach

VALPARAISO | Calling it "the toughest decision I've ever made," Randy Schneider stepped down Monday as the head coach of the Valparaiso University softball team.

REGION COLLEGIANS: T.F. South grad Mike Hoekstra led nation in fewest walks allowed per nine innings

Regardless of what his catcher might indicate, Mike Hoekstra's favorite sign is obvious.

REGION COLLEGIANS: USI's Ballinger takes third in steeplechase at NCAA II meet

She couldn't repeat as the NCAA Division II 3,000-meter steeplechase champion, but Mary Ballinger still turned in a noteworthy performance for the University of Southern Indiana at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships last weekend.