Congratulations to the ladies! The championship game was entertaining to watch. (Appreciative again of the HL Network.)
Yes, the game was rather nail biting fun! The video was great to have as well. Without HLN, no one would have known Valpo won, unless they were in attendance, for a few hours.
Great job ladies! Let's play some tough teams well again in the NCAA tourney, and maybe pull one out this year!
That's incorrect. Game was also available on WVUR (Thanks to Aaron Leavitt and Michael Gallenberger). Several people were also live-tweeting the game.
Btw, what gets into Angie Doerffler once we get into the HL tournament? I believe she was the MVP of last year's tourney, and she was all-tournament again this year. Even when she has had a down year at 0.200, she still hits when it mattered most :)
Congrats to Valpo Softball for back to back HL Tournament Championships and NCAA Regional births!!!!! With a positive NCAA tournament experience from last year to leverage, who knows what great things this year's NCAA Tournament may bring to Valpo Softball!!!
Go Valpo Softball!!!!
Quote from: Valposter on May 13, 2013, 08:30:13 AMNCAA Regional births
let's not have any of those, at least in our starting lineup
Well, no one has posted this yet, but last year I dodged a bullet--we didn't play Michigan even though we were in the same pod.
Can't dodge it twice in a year. Good news is we're just 3 hours away up I-94 in America's finest college town. The bad news is we have to play Sierra Romero and the Wolverines.
Ann Arbor Regional – May 17-19 at Ann Arbor, Mich.
California (36-17) vs. Central Michigan (33-18)
Valparaiso (34-25) vs. No. 8 seed Michigan* (45-10) 6 PM Friday (ESPN 3)
http://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/news/2012-13/12737/crusaders-heading-to-ann-arbor-for-ncaa-tournament/ (http://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/news/2012-13/12737/crusaders-heading-to-ann-arbor-for-ncaa-tournament/)
Central is eminently beatable, should we fail to shock the nation in game 1.
Definitely a chance to win a game in this regional (CMU). I don't know about being able to do anything against Michigan or Cal, but I am sure we will play them tough again!
I had the chance to sneak over to the UIC softball field in the middle of the baseball game last weekend to catch the last few outs of the championship softball game. I really enjoyed watching this faster paced game. Here's a link to a few pictures I took and put into a Google + album. They are uncropped and unedited, but anyone can download and do what they like with them. Boomdad, can you pass these on to the other softball folks, and let me know if you are able to download, please? Congrats on a great season! While I am a Michigan man from '85, I hope the Crusader ladies can shock 'em in the Regional. GO VALPO!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107694216823525506352/albums/5877492231921532913 (https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107694216823525506352/albums/5877492231921532913)
Quote from: jetz on May 13, 2013, 12:06:07 PMWhile I am a Michigan man from '85, I hope the Crusader ladies can shock 'em in the Regional. GO VALPO!
Ditto from a Michigan Man who only has like 20 credits at VU :)
Congrats to the Ladies!
Michigan can be beat, but it will take a combination of long ball, short game & manufacturing runs on the bases. They should not be an 8 seed imo.
Quote from: new2ff on May 13, 2013, 06:26:42 PMThey should not be an 8 seed imo.
I agree--I think they should be higher...however it strikes me that you seem to imply the opposite?
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on May 13, 2013, 06:54:57 PM
Quote from: new2ff on May 13, 2013, 06:26:42 PMThey should not be an 8 seed imo.
I agree--I think they should be higher...however it strikes me that you seem to imply the opposite?
I see them as a # 12-14 at best...jmo
Consider this, they played only Nebraska of the top 4 teams in conference. I believe Nebraska beat them twice. They did not play Wisconsin or Mn.
They started off with some very good wins & after that more or less coasted in my opinion.
Don't get me wrong, they have a very good team, but I think can be beat. I don't know anything about Valpo's pitching & if it can stand up to the Michigan bats, if it can they could make a game of it.
If both Michigan & California avoid upsets, that could be an interesting game.
We lost to a 53-6 Michigan team 2 seasons ago 2-1 in the early season play. We have shown that we can play with them in the past!
Quote from: new2ff on May 13, 2013, 10:39:48 PMI believe Nebraska beat them twice. They did not play Wisconsin or Mn.
Yeah, NE took us 2 of 3. We lost to Wisco in the tournament.
But perhaps you may be right...only 6-6 vs. ranked teams. Did thump then-#9 A&M (now 16 seed) and knock off #2 ASU though (now 5 seed).
Even more of a down year for my favorite girls, the defending champs from Alabama :/
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on May 14, 2013, 07:24:07 AM
Quote from: new2ff on May 13, 2013, 10:39:48 PMI believe Nebraska beat them twice. They did not play Wisconsin or Mn.
Yeah, NE took us 2 of 3. We lost to Wisco in the tournament.
But perhaps you may be right...only 6-6 vs. ranked teams. Did thump then-#9 A&M (now 16 seed) and knock off #2 ASU though (now 5 seed).
Even more of a down year for my favorite girls, the defending champs from Alabama :/
Alabama pitcher seems to be having some problems, I wonder if maybe she threw too many innings?
All in all softball is getting better across the country & there are many good teams out there.
Valpo softball is an example of a program that has come a long ways over the past few years, they use to be a doormat & now have back to back NCAA appearances :thumbsup: :)
Yeah, softball was bad when I was in school, winning 17, 7, 14, 7, and 21 games in the 5 years. It looks like they started to turn the corner in 2006 and 2007, our last 2 years in the Mid-Con. We have been decent/good our entire time in the HL.
Edit: I was looking at our all-time records against other schools, and noticed that they have both Missouri State and SW Missouri State. Hopefully someone else notices this error, as it is the same school.
tx, I remember those bad softball teams from our college days. It was no fun walking over to Kirchoff Park to watch bad softball coached by Jerry Steiger. I recall the year that he announced he was stepping down, some of the softball girls told me they were immediately getting on their phones calling home to tell their parents the good news.
In terms of our pitching, I hope it can hold up this weekend. Most of our pitching starts came from the two freshmen, Taylor Weissenhoffer and Sierra Pico, with a small handful of games being started by Amanda Bolton. Yes, Taylor and Sierra started a lot of games this season, but we're going to need to see them pick up quite a bit of pitching maturity this weekend, as they are inexperienced in NCAA postseason games. Hopefully, we can start Taylor or Sierra, and give either one a couple of innings off, not for confidence purposes, but more for rest needs. We did kind of see that in the last couple of innings on Saturday, when Sierra came in for Taylor. Let's hope they are both mentally ready for this opportunity.
In terms of Missouri State/SW Missouri State, even if they are the same school, most historical records count them as separate schools, because they had that different identity, and former players will want to look back at that, instead of questioning, "What happened to the SW Missouri State games? We did play them when I was on the team." Heck, I believe the women's basketball all-time scoring records is still credited as Jackie Stiles of Southwest Missouri State, even if it is Missouri State now. Even when Don Haskins led Texas Western to the NCAA title, the NCAA still calls it Texas Western, even if the school is University of Texas-El Paso now.
True run, but if you look at the other sports all-time results for Valpo (baseball for one), the records list both names in the same spot: SW Missouri State (now known as Missouri State).
I think that we are set to have a nice run in softball over the next few years, though not this year. I believe that we will lose to UM, beat CMU, then lose to Cal. I certainly hope for better, but this will be my prediction.
With two solid FR pitchers, that is sometimes all you need in college softball to have a winning program. You obviously need to be able to score runs as well, but pitching seems to be the main thing that matters. I look forward to this tournament, as well as over the next few years!
They will miss Joy, other than the year she sat out, she has been a key fixture in the Valpo lineup for a while. She had a fantastic Horizon Tourney.
Don't know if Marinic is going to stay for a 6th year or not, another fixture & a player who can play many positions. Was a very good SS when she first came to Valpo.
Brown has also had some very good games & 2-3 key HR's this year.
I'd say the key for the team & the pitchers is to step up the schedule a couple of notches. The Horizon league is not a very strong league & if Loyola leaves [ as someone said ] it will make it even weaker in that they usually had the highest RPI in the conference.
I wish them luck this w/e :thumbsup:
Loyola is definitely gone to the MVC in a few months, while Oakland is in. In softball, we are exchanging a very solid LU program for a struggling Oakland program. It helps us in our chances to make the NCAA each year, but it really doesn't hurt us, since we (HL) are usually a 4 seed in each NCAA regional anyways.
I had an opportunity to take photos of the softball team as they prepared to leave for the NCAA Regional in Ann Arbor. They spent time relaxing, autographing bats and balls, and anticipating the opportunity ahead. They all seemed happy and confident, especially when they left the building and were greeted by some well wishers still on campus. Here are a few of my pictures. Good luck to the women!
(http://i40.tinypic.com/2dja23o.jpg)
(http://i43.tinypic.com/2w1xmad.jpg)
(http://i39.tinypic.com/1z2hs38.jpg)
(http://i44.tinypic.com/33xzpkm.jpg)
(http://i43.tinypic.com/4lg7zo.jpg)
I am sure that they will represent us well! Let's get our first NCAA (game) win since Bryce!
Quote from: jetz on May 13, 2013, 12:06:07 PM
I had the chance to sneak over to the UIC softball field in the middle of the baseball game last weekend to catch the last few outs of the championship softball game. I really enjoyed watching this faster paced game. Here's a link to a few pictures I took and put into a Google + album. They are uncropped and unedited, but anyone can download and do what they like with them. Boomdad, can you pass these on to the other softball folks, and let me know if you are able to download, please? Congrats on a great season! While I am a Michigan man from '85, I hope the Crusader ladies can shock 'em in the Regional. GO VALPO!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107694216823525506352/albums/5877492231921532913 (https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107694216823525506352/albums/5877492231921532913)
Great pics yes was able to down load, will pass along the info thanks for taking them
Interesting write-up on our regional from MGoBlog:
http://mgoblog.com/content/preview-ncaa-ann-arbor-softball-regional (http://mgoblog.com/content/preview-ncaa-ann-arbor-softball-regional)
here's our bit:
VALPARAISO
Record: 34-25 overall, 11-9 Horizon (that's bad)
Rankings: #186 RPI
Previous meeting: none
Good wins: ??? (win over Iowa State is only major conference victory, beat also-bad Youngstown State for tourney title)
Bad losses: Detroit (five wins this year, tied for second-least in NCAA)
Their lineup is pretty straightforward, with three girls to look out for and one that possibly might be an issue. Their top batter is Brittany Duncan (.349/.478/.514), who I'm told the key against is to go low—she's a big girl that can go long on anything up high, so anything other than a well-executed rise would be ill advised (Wagner seems to be known more for that type of pitch than Driesenga).
The next two to worry about are Janelle Bouchard (.333/.376/.548) and Kaitlyn Ranieri (.322/.429/.399), but they're both freshman and aren't anything [redacted source] has seen in person or on film. My recollection from seeing a game in person is that Amanda Korb (.387/.406/.613) is capable of hitting well, and more or less abused the freshman version of a good pitcher throwing mostly rise and curveballs, but she's only been at the plate 31 times, which makes a current injury or injury from earlier in the year possible. [ED-Ace: I can't find anything to indicate an injury, so I think Korb is just a potentially underutilized pinch-hitter.]
Expect them to start pitcher Taylor Weissenhofer (20-11, 2.29 ERA), who is also a freshman, and is "not fast but spinny with back door curve. [Throws] a lot of curves and off speed pitches," according to my source.
As usual, no respect because of our conference. They should note our NCAA games from last year before they disrespect us. Our softball team is not afraid of any program, which is different than most of our other teams.
The more-frequently a mid-major gets to the big stage, the better it is equipped to perform well on said stage. Last year's expererience should serve this year's softball team well.
Good luck to Valpo Softball in the Regional!!!
Quote from: valpotx on May 17, 2013, 11:09:25 AMThey should note our NCAA games from last year before they disrespect us.
Um...good news, they did!
Bad news: they think we beat Louisville last year...read the penultimate pgh or so :/
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on May 17, 2013, 03:09:21 PM
Quote from: valpotx on May 17, 2013, 11:09:25 AMThey should note our NCAA games from last year before they disrespect us.
Um...good news, they did!
Bad news: they think we beat Louisville last year...read the penultimate pgh or so :/
Well we did beat them until we didn't.
Quote from: vu72 on May 17, 2013, 04:01:10 PMWell we did beat them until we didn't.
good point!
not a good first inning for the good girls...down 3-0 already.
http://valpoathletics.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_wsoftbl.html?event=1217900&school=val&sport=wsoftbl&camefrom=&startschool=& (http://valpoathletics.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_wsoftbl.html?event=1217900&school=val&sport=wsoftbl&camefrom=&startschool=&)
that...didn't go so well.
at least we didn't get no-hit, and in the last inning and a half, we outhit them 2-nil, and Norway made a nice catch.
I view this as payback for new2ff saying UM was overrated :/
Let's win tomorrow, ladies!
I said Michigan was overrated [ RPI & nfca poll ], I didn't say they were a bad team. They are probably a top 11-12 team in my opine [ & that's all it is, an opinion]. They have some great players & will probably be better next year than this.{ But so will the BIG10}
Valpo played a respectful game against them. In order for Valpo to have a chance against a team like Michigan is to increase their strength of schedule. I think Valpo has a shot at winning the Horizon the next 2-3 years & can do it with a .500 or even losing record in pre-conference, so go for a tougher schedule & give the 2 young pitchers the experience.
Go get CMU tomorrow.
We have our first realistic chance to get an NCAA victory against CMU, since our win against FSU in the Sweet 16 year. Get the W!!!
Not having Duncan in the lineup really hurts, especially against pitching like we saw yesterday.
DOESN'T MATTER WE ARE WINNING
HUZZAH!!!
http://valpoathletics.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_wsoftbl.html?event=1255748&school=val&sport=wsoftbl&camefrom=&startschool=& (http://valpoathletics.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_wsoftbl.html?event=1255748&school=val&sport=wsoftbl&camefrom=&startschool=&)
First NCAA win EVER (almost)
YAY
Bring on the Golden Bears!!!
What time does the Valpo/Cali game start? I assume they give them an hour off. ESPN 3 had it listed as 5:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. CT. It's site 5, game 5.
EDIT: The pre-game has started already as of 4:30 p.m. CT.
During the game vs CMU they said half hour after the conclusion of that game
Good NCAA win for the first time since 1998 for a VU sport! Congrats ladies! The Cal game is not going well, but we can hold our heads high
Well, interesting.
As opposed to last year, when we had two hard-fought losses...this year we had two blowout losses, including getting no-hit, but... we won a game!
I suppose it's a good trade--especially considering that we weren't supposed to do as much this year, and ended up doing more.
Cheers to the ladies! You make us proud.
(btw, what happened to Duncan?)
The Michigan and Cal games were ugly, but well for the trade for a win. It was fun to hear CMU fans talking about how there was no way they would lose to Valpo and then watch them squirm in their seats the whole game as their team went down.
With most of the key contributors coming back next year, this team should be the clear favorite for a Horizon League three-peat in 2014. Here's hoping the baseball team can match the ladies' success next weekend in Youngstown.
Funny. I thought that there would be no way that CMU would beat us as well :). I love the overconfidence of some fans/players. Great season ladies, and I look forward to next year, as we bring back a lot of talent!!
Quote from: Dave_2010 on May 18, 2013, 10:26:50 PMIt was fun to hear CMU fans talking about how there was no way they would lose to Valpo and then watch them squirm in their seats the whole game as their team went down.
That...is classic. Awesome, classic, awesomely classic.
Congrats, ladies!
Not having Duncan in the lineup really hurts, especially against pitching like we saw yesterday.
Well, interesting.
As opposed to last year, when we had two hard-fought losses...this year we had two blowout losses, including getting no-hit, but... we won a game!
I suppose it's a good trade--especially considering that we weren't supposed to do as much this year, and ended up doing more.
Cheers to the ladies! You make us proud.
(btw, what happened to Duncan?)
My comment to this is to ask the coach.... she was given the green light by the trainer and suited up and ready to go. Im still scratching my head over it.
well, if he was experimenting, he picked a hell of a game.
in the two losses, 14 innings...2 hits. That was hard to watch.
Like the pre-Prince Tigers sitting Cabrera...whiskey tango FOXtrot?!?
Why did we go with Pico in that last game? Even the announcers were curious about that decision, given how well Taylor has pitched against better competition.
Quote from: valpotx on May 20, 2013, 01:50:31 AMWhy did we go with Pico in that last game?
I assume because she'd just thrown 7 innings--118 pitches. Probably could have asked her for a couple more.
Easy to second guess, but I would have pulled her after 4 or 5 with a 3 run lead, trusted it to Pico to finish off the MAC, and saved Taylor for the next one.
Classic baseball "what-if: save your starter" issue.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on May 20, 2013, 07:00:29 AM
Quote from: valpotx on May 20, 2013, 01:50:31 AMWhy did we go with Pico in that last game?
I assume because she'd just thrown 7 innings--118 pitches. Probably could have asked her for a couple more.
Easy to second guess, but I would have pulled her after 4 or 5 with a 3 run lead, trusted it to Pico to finish off the MAC, and saved Taylor for the next one.
Classic baseball "what-if: save your starter" issue.
Watching the Central Michigan game I was wondering about pitch count as well. The CMU pitcher threw 38 pitches in just the first inning and I was wondering at what point typically would a coach pull a pitcher. I haven't ever played fast pitch so have no idea about such things.
Typically, pitch count doesn't matter as much in softball, as it is a more natural motion than baseball pitching. This is why you see a lot of top pitchers throwing both games of a doubleheader.
What is scary is Cals Henderson was pitching on 1 good leg.
The effort put out by that young lady their last conference series & NCAA was truly amazing & gutsy to say the least.
Brittany Duncan has accepted an offer from the university of Louisville as a junior transfer. From our family to everyone at Valpo we say thanks for 2 great seasons, We would like to thank the coaching staff, AD and the professors for all their help and support. Good luck next season ladies we know you will do well.
Tim Duncan
Quote from: boomdad on June 19, 2013, 12:23:31 PM
Brittany Duncan has accepted an offer from the university of Louisville as a junior transfer. From our family to everyone at Valpo we say thanks for 2 great seasons, We would like to thank the coaching staff, AD and the professors for all their help and support. Good luck next season ladies we know you will do well.
Tim Duncan
Thanks for the kind words Tim. I'm sure the team will miss Brittany but we fans certainly want to wish her and her family all the best going forward.
Quote from: boomdad on June 19, 2013, 12:23:31 PMTim Duncan
Well, Louisville will be a lot warmer place then Valpo so we hope you guys can "beat the Heat."
:P
Definitely unfortunate to hear, but I imagine it is a competitive move, since they are a very solid team, and she is a very solid player
Wow! Big loss for Valpo softball, I was looking for huge year from Duncan in 2014.
Things will be a little tougher with the Cardinals & I think they did graduate their All American first baseman. Duncan should be up to it.
I'm assuming Marinic will play 1b if she comes back for 6th year [ anyone know her status?]
boomdad, if it isn't too personal to ask, may we inquire why Britttany chose to transfer? Was it looking for a better academic program, needing a real academic challenge, or something else? It is a definite loss for our program, but I hope she enjoys her time at Louisville in both academics and softball.
Just a guess, but maybe Louisville being in a better position to offer a full ride? Honestly, the school is not known for academics at all (see Gordon Gee's recent comments), so I have to guess it is athletic-oriented.
In my opinion Gordon Gee is an idiot and is miffed because his beloved Buckeyes ( which by the way I cannot stand OSU ) Cannot beat a SEC team in any thing but name calling and boasting. Nor most any other conference out side the big ten in any sport. His attitude is pretty much status Quo in the buckeye state.... They cant beat any one out side of their own conference so the other teams must be either toothless hillbilly's or its some conspiracy by the catholic church. There is a reason they canned his butt....hes a tool. The common thought is here to boast and brag on their record of going undefeated by playing teams like Youngstown state and their like in the beginning of their season..... and then get waxed when they have to play real teams. And then set back and looked shocked and toss disparaging remarks around.
Britt transferred for a couple reasons Louisville is pretty close to home, better competition, better facilities. It was just a good fit. The ability to play for a Major her last 2 years and to be able to have the chance to make an impact at that level. Reading more into it than that just muddies the waters.
Tim
Sure, please don't think that I was saying that I agree with him. I was just stating the general things you hear about Louisville in the public eye as probably being behind the transfer, that it is more of an athletic school, because of people like him. Trust me, he bashed my MBA alma mater of TCU for playing the 'little sisters of the poor' as well.
Did we lose the pitching coach ? What happened to K C Boldt ? Is Joylyn now asst ?
I must have missed announcements.
I believe KC was only a Graduate assistant?