Thursday, November 30, 2006

Valparaiso head softball coach Randy Schneider unveiled today his schedule for the 2007 campaign.

The Crusaders' season will begin for the second straight year at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, Fla., as they will take the field for 12 games against opponents to be determined. Valpo's spring break trip concludes with doubleheaders against Gardner-Webb and East Tennessee State as the Crusaders head back north.

Other non-conference action includes a game at 2006 NCAA Softball Championship participant Notre Dame. The Crusaders will also compete in doubleheaders against IPFW, Northern Illinois, Loyola (Chicago), North Dakota State, South Dakota State and Michigan State on the road, while they will host Purdue, Saint Joseph's (Indiana) and IPFW for twinbills at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.

The Crusaders' final season of competition in the Mid-Continent Conference will see a lighter schedule, as the conference has switched from four-game series to three-game series this year. Conference play opens for Valpo at UMKC March 23-24, and the Brown and Gold will also have to travel to Oakland and Centenary. The Crusaders will play host to Southern Utah, IUPUI and Western Illinois in league play.

Valpo will look to secure a berth in the 2007 NCAA Softball Championship by earning the Mid-Con's automatic bid at the Mid-Con Tournament. Tournament play is scheduled for May 9-12, and will be hosted by Centenary.