The Valparaiso softball team earned its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history Saturday afternoon, defeating Central Michigan 7-4 in an elimination game in Ann Arbor, Mich. By virtue of the win, the Crusaders lived to play another elimination game, but Valpo fell in the final game of the day to #18/22 California 6-0, as Jolene Henderson tossed a no-hitter.

Wormington induces game-ending double play with bases loaded in the 9th; Crusaders hang on 3-2. Valpo will face UIC Thursday morning at 11:00 am ET/10:00 am CT in Niles, Ohio in the Horizon League Conference Tournament.

In its opening game of the Ann Arbor Regional of the 2013 NCAA Tournament, Valparaiso held #7/8 Michigan to its second-fewest runs scored at home this season, but the Crusaders could muster just two hits as the Wolverines downed Valpo by a 5-0 final. The Crusaders will take on Central Michigan at 1:30 p.m. CT on Saturday afternoon.

Chris DeBoo worked into the eighth inning as he earned his fourth win of the year; Bain, Bynum, Burns all had multi-hit games Friday against Youngstown State. Valpo goes for sweep Saturday at 1:00 pm on Senior Day.

Kyle Wormington allowed just one run in 7 2/3 innings of work to give Valpo its 25th win of the season Tuesday. Crusaders conclude the regular season with a conference series against Youngstown State beginning Thursday.

Flames score three in the 7th, two in the 8th in a 5-2 win over Valpo. Next weekend's series versus Youngstown State will dictate what seed Crusaders earn in the Horizon League Conference Tournament.

Quite simply, the Valparaiso softball team would not be denied its second straight Horizon League Championship, completing a five-game run of victories with a pair of wins on Saturday over Youngstown State, 2-1 and 11-9, to claim the league title for a second consecutive season. With the tournament crown, the Crusaders will represent the Horizon League in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in as many years.

UIC records eight extra-base hits in 12-5 win over Valpo Saturday afternoon. The loss pushes the Crusaders back into third place in the Horizon League standings. The series concludes Sunday at 1:05 pm at Les Miller Field.

The Valparaiso softball team continued its run at the 2013 Horizon League Softball Championship in Chicago, Ill. on Friday with a pair of wins, advancing to Championship Saturday after defeating Cleveland State, 4-3 (8 innings), and Wright State, 10-2. The Crusaders will face Youngstown State on Saturday, needing a pair of victories to claim the tournament crown for a second straight year.

Crusaders manage five hits as Michelson tosses complete game shutout; Valpo and UIC continue series Saturday at 2:05 pm in Chicago.