VU Softball Ready for 2018 MVC Tournament

VU-Softball-Ready-for-2018-MVC-TournamentNext Up in Crusader Softball: The Valparaiso University softball team heads to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament for the first time this week, as the Crusaders travel to Des Moines for the postseason event. The fourth seed, Valpo needs three victories to capture the single-elimination tournament and claim the conference championship in its first season of MVC play.

Previously: Valpo closed the regular season on a high note last weekend, traveling on the road to Illinois State and taking two of three games from the Redbirds. Kelsie Packard picked up both wins in the circle for the Crusaders to continue her recent strong run.

Following the Crusaders: The entirety of the MVC Tournament will be broadcast live on ESPN+, available through the newly-redesigned ESPN app and online for $4.99/month. Live stats for all tournament games will be available via ValpoAthletics.com as well.

Head Coach Kate Stake: Kate Stake was hired as head coach of the Valparaiso softball program on July 23, 2014 and is in her fourth season as head coach, owning 88 victories (88-115). Stake led the Crusaders to the 2016 Horizon League Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament - the third in program history. Stake arrived at Valpo with eight seasons of assistant coaching experience at the Division I level, most recently serving as an assistant at mid-major power Hofstra. She played her collegiate softball at fellow MVC member Illinois State and is a 2005 graduate of ISU.