Valpo Softball 2021

valpotx · March 07, 2021, 09:25:08 PM

Two quality wins today for the ladies!

http://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/news/2020-21/20263/softball-closes-weekend-with-pair-of-one-run-wins/

valpotx · April 03, 2021, 03:44:53 PM

Softball is struggling now. We are 5-18 (1-8). Part of this can be lumped into pitching, as we lost our top pitcher to grad transfer after last season, Kelsey Packard. Looking back, it appears that we even petitioned the NCAA to get her an extra/6th year. I do hope that she ended up leaving for the Illini, solely due to an academic program that Valpo did not offer, as that would be another example of the youngest generation not being as long-term/loyal, when we took that extra step for her. Either way, she is probably not receiving the playing time that she hoped to receive:

https://fightingillini.com/sports/softball/stats?path=softball

vu72 · April 04, 2021, 06:29:10 AM

Quote from: valpotx on April 03, 2021, 03:44:53 PMSoftball is struggling now.

Struggling? You could say that. We lost three to Indiana State by a combined score of 31-5.

valpotx · April 10, 2021, 05:49:45 PM

Interesting to see that Kelsie Packard's sister is also a pitcher, but at UNI. If Kelsie would have stayed at Valpo for her last year, they would have gone head-to-head for the first time, as we didn't play a conference schedule last season.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/boxscore/2020-21/8948/valpo-vs-uni-04-10-2021/

vu72 · April 21, 2021, 10:40:19 AM

Although several sports have made great strides in the Valley, baseball and softball have not. Baseball has now lost 9 in a row and was outscored 33-5 in four games lost to Indiana State. Softball is worse. They have lost 14 in a row and were outscored over three games to Missouri State, 24-3.

Time for coaching changes?

valpotx · April 21, 2021, 12:01:16 PM

Quote from: vu72 on April 21, 2021, 10:40:19 AM
Although several sports have made great strides in the Valley, baseball and softball have not. Baseball has now lost 9 in a row and was outscored 33-5 in four games lost to Indiana State. Softball is worse. They have lost 14 in a row and were outscored over three games to Missouri State, 24-3.

Time for coaching changes?

Absolutely not. The MVC had traditionally been a 2-3 bid conference in each sport. Baseball is 0-8 because they just played a ranked Indiana State team, as well as a Dallas Baptist team that is usually ranked. Baseball and Softball have traditionally been strong in-conference, but this a large step up for us, more so than Basketball. If it happens again next year, yes, we should make the change.

valpotx · April 24, 2021, 02:39:46 PM

Immediate benefit tied to the turf field for Baseball. Softball is canceled due to rain, but Baseball is playing. Softball getting turf?

http://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/news/2020-21/20456/saturday-softball-canceled-due-to-rain/

vu72 · April 24, 2021, 03:54:46 PM

Quote from: valpotx on April 24, 2021, 02:39:46 PMSoftball getting turf?

Probably not. Softball has a full skin infield and grass outfield. Baseball has a grass outfield as well so the issue must have been the dirt infield.

vu72 · May 13, 2021, 10:16:37 AM

Mercifully, their season is over. Lots of questions concerning the program. Kate Stake has had some success but this season was an unmitigated disaster. 5-35 overall, 1-23 in conference and a losing streak of 24 games. Pitching and hitting were just terrible.
On the other hand, only one senior is lost and the pitching staff, made up of Freshman and Sophomores, can only get better. Let's hope so!

bb33 · May 13, 2021, 01:18:25 PM

I watched a few innings of that game, and it was an embarrassment. Most high school teams could field some of the balls that were dropped. They pulled one of their better players on that team after an error. That sub made NO sense. I hope there is some accountability here. I have heard that there is NONE. I am not one to blame coaching on some of the problems, but these girls couldn't even field a pop up. That has to do with recruiting and fundamentals. This program has some serious problem.

I hope the administration realizes when they do not care about a program, (which is what I have heard is true with softball) it can embarrass the entire university. Something has to change. Sports are a great marketing tool. Combining good athletics with great academics is a good plan for recruitment success, and I am not just talking about sports.

valpotx · May 13, 2021, 01:43:32 PM

The biggest issue was pitching. We were in good position heading into this season, and then Packard transferred. The season would have been drastically different if she stayed, as she was a top pitcher in the conference.

vu84v2 · May 17, 2021, 02:29:56 PM

It was obviously from a number of weeks ago, but Sportscenter had a special Top 10 for women's softball last night and Addi Burke was highlighted with one of the Top 10 plays. Always cool to see Valpo 'pop up'.

IndyValpo · June 01, 2021, 05:07:40 PM

Quote from: bb33 on May 13, 2021, 01:18:25 PM
I watched a few innings of that game, and it was an embarrassment. Most high school teams could field some of the balls that were dropped. They pulled one of their better players on that team after an error. That sub made NO sense. I hope there is some accountability here. I have heard that there is NONE. I am not one to blame coaching on some of the problems, but these girls couldn't even field a pop up. That has to do with recruiting and fundamentals. This program has some serious problem.

I hope the administration realizes when they do not care about a program, (which is what I have heard is true with softball) it can embarrass the entire university. Something has to change. Sports are a great marketing tool. Combining good athletics with great academics is a good plan for recruitment success, and I am not just talking about sports.

Stake resigned today

valpotx · June 01, 2021, 08:11:34 PM

Yep, I blame vu72. She probably saw his comments, and couldn't quite recover from disappointing him

. This will be a sought out position for many folks, as the MVC is very solid in Softball.

https://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/news/2020-21/20532/kate-stake-resigns-as-valpo-softball-head-coach/?fbclid=IwAR3TVXVbgTgw3P8hkVHaAjoBSbn0xnxTBR_pQ3y4Mgv2q152ITemd_r35sA

vu72 · June 02, 2021, 08:06:00 AM

Quote from: valpotx on June 01, 2021, 08:11:34 PM
Yep, I blame vu72. She probably saw his comments, and couldn't quite recover from disappointing him . This will be a sought out position for many folks, as the MVC is very solid in Softball.

https://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/news/2020-21/20532/kate-stake-resigns-as-valpo-softball-head-coach/?fbclid=IwAR3TVXVbgTgw3P8hkVHaAjoBSbn0xnxTBR_pQ3y4Mgv2q152ITemd_r35sA

Results are results. She was paid to win and she didn't. I'm sure all the coaches study our responses over here very carefully!

IndyValpo · June 02, 2021, 02:08:42 PM

The good news for the next coach, the entire team but one potentially return. The bad news is they were 5-34.

valpotx · June 02, 2021, 09:02:27 PM

Quote from: vu72 on June 02, 2021, 08:06:00 AM
Quote from: valpotx on June 01, 2021, 08:11:34 PM
Yep, I blame vu72. She probably saw his comments, and couldn't quite recover from disappointing him . This will be a sought out position for many folks, as the MVC is very solid in Softball.

https://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/news/2020-21/20532/kate-stake-resigns-as-valpo-softball-head-coach/?fbclid=IwAR3TVXVbgTgw3P8hkVHaAjoBSbn0xnxTBR_pQ3y4Mgv2q152ITemd_r35sA

Results are results. She was paid to win and she didn't. I'm sure all the coaches study our responses over here very carefully!

The first stage is denial...

FWalum · June 03, 2021, 09:56:13 AM

I know that Jordan Stevens must of done something pretty egregious to be removed from the head coaching position during the season in 2014, but it is sad to see that program fall from being one of our best athletic teams to the current state. Those Sara Strickland, Jordan Rutkowski, Joylyn Ichiyama and Angie Doerffler teams from 2009-2014 were something to watch.

valpotx · June 03, 2021, 01:22:16 PM

Quote from: FWalum on June 03, 2021, 09:56:13 AM
I know that Jordan Stevens must of done something pretty egregious to be removed from the head coaching position during the season in 2014, but it is sad to see that program fall from being one of our best athletic teams to the current state. Those Sara Strickland, Jordan Rutkowski, Joylyn Ichiyama and Angie Doerffler teams from 2009-2014 were something to watch.

Yes, I would say a rumored dalliance with a player would qualify...

vu72 · June 03, 2021, 02:00:43 PM

Quote from: valpotx on June 03, 2021, 01:22:16 PM
Quote from: FWalum on June 03, 2021, 09:56:13 AM
I know that Jordan Stevens must of done something pretty egregious to be removed from the head coaching position during the season in 2014, but it is sad to see that program fall from being one of our best athletic teams to the current state. Those Sara Strickland, Jordan Rutkowski, Joylyn Ichiyama and Angie Doerffler teams from 2009-2014 were something to watch.

Yes, I would say a rumored dalliance with a player would qualify...

I had heard the same thing but the guy landed on his feet. And apparently pretty quickly as he has been their coach since 2014.

https://fightinghawks.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/jordan-stevens/1912#:~:text=Jordan%20Stevens%20begins%20his%20seventh%20year%20as%20the,head%20coach%20at%20UND%20on%20July%207%2C%202014.

valpotx · June 04, 2021, 01:40:24 AM

Quote from: vu72 on June 03, 2021, 02:00:43 PM
Quote from: valpotx on June 03, 2021, 01:22:16 PM
Quote from: FWalum on June 03, 2021, 09:56:13 AM
I know that Jordan Stevens must of done something pretty egregious to be removed from the head coaching position during the season in 2014, but it is sad to see that program fall from being one of our best athletic teams to the current state. Those Sara Strickland, Jordan Rutkowski, Joylyn Ichiyama and Angie Doerffler teams from 2009-2014 were something to watch.

Yes, I would say a rumored dalliance with a player would qualify...

I had heard the same thing but the guy landed on his feet. And apparently pretty quickly as he has been their coach since 2014.

https://fightinghawks.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/jordan-stevens/1912#:~:text=Jordan%20Stevens%20begins%20his%20seventh%20year%20as%20the,head%20coach%20at%20UND%20on%20July%207%2C%202014.

It was never confirmed, of course, so it wouldn't have affected his employment pursuits. However, the affected player transferred shortly thereafter...

IndyValpo · July 16, 2021, 01:46:07 PM

Stake resigned 6/1 still no replacement?

vu72 · July 16, 2021, 02:21:55 PM

Quote from: IndyValpo on July 16, 2021, 01:46:07 PM
Stake resigned 6/1 still no replacement?

In Mark LaBarbera's last AD Insights he said that they have a strong field of candidates and expected to name a new coach in the next few weeks. The date of the release was June 24 so should be very soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft4iQoYUcn8

IndyValpo · July 16, 2021, 03:02:59 PM

https://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/news/2021-22/20560/amanda-eberhart-hired-as-valpo-softball-head-coach/

And just like that....

vu72 · July 16, 2021, 03:34:07 PM

Quote from: IndyValpo on July 16, 2021, 03:02:59 PM
https://www.valpoathletics.com/softball/news/2021-22/20560/amanda-eberhart-hired-as-valpo-softball-head-coach/

And just like that....

Sounds like a great hire. Love the D1 head coaching experience together with coaching experience at the BIG level.

Oh, and I did say "very soon"!!