The Valparaiso University baseball team has announced its schedule for the 2026 season, beginning with a four-game series at Gardner-Webb to open the docket starting on Friday, Feb. 13.
 
The Beacons have had eight all-time meetings with Gardner-Webb including one as recently as 2024 in Boiling Springs, N.C. After the season-opening set, Valpo will spend more time in the Carolinas, playing at Wofford (Feb. 20), USC Upstate (Feb. 21) and Presbyterian (Feb. 22). Wofford was a 33-win team last season, while USC Upstate recorded 36 victories and reached an NCAA Regional after winning the Big South Conference.
 
A three-game set at Alabama State begins on Feb. 27, as the Beacons clash with a 31-win team from a year ago. Valpo plays three games at Jacksonville State (March 6-8) against a team that is coming off a 37-win campaign. The Beacons visit SIUE (March 13-15) to play a team that went 18-8 in Ohio Valley Conference action last season to close out a season-opening stretch of 16 straight on the road.
 
Valpo hosts Ball State, which won 36 games in 2025, in the home opener on March 17 at Emory G. Bauer Field, before starting up conference play on the road against the defending league champion and a 44-win College World Series team from a year ago, Murray State (March 20-22). Other conference road trips this season include UIC (April 17-19), Illinois State (May 1-3) and Southern Illinois (May 14-16). Home conference series include Indiana State (March 27-29), Bradley (April 10-12), Belmont (April 24-26) and Evansville (May 8-10).
 
Midweek opponents include Purdue (away, March 24), Northwestern (away, March 31), Western Michigan (away, April 7; home, April 21), Notre Dame (April 14), Northern Illinois (April 28), Milwaukee (May 5) and Central Michigan (May 12). The Beacons step outside of league play over Easter Weekend to visit Washington (April 2-4). Murray State will host the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament (May 20-25).