VALPARAISO, Ind. – IUPUI softball embarks on a trip to Valparaiso for a midweek matchup against the Crusaders on Wednesday (Mar. 26). The Jags will be looking to push its winning streak to four games after sweeping Northern Kentucky over the weekend to begin Horizon League play.

IUPUI (9-21, 3-0 Horizon) is tied on top of the standings in the Horizon after strong first weekend series against the Norse. The Jags were led in the circle by freshman Lexi Lucas, whose performance earned Lucas her second #HLSB Pitcher of the Week honor of the season. Lucas went 2-0 against NKU, allowing just two runs in 15 innings and did not walk a batter.

On the offensive end, redshirt sophomore Delaney Thompson came up clutch for head coach Elisabeth Beirne. Thompson hit .571 over the four games last week and drove in at least one run in all three games against NKU. Thompson drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth in the first game of the series and singled home the only run of the third game of the series.

For the season, Thompson is third on the team with a.307 average. The Jags are led at the plate by Delainey Turner with a .340 average and Haley Ginger is hitting .314. Ginger also leads the team with three home runs and 17 RBI and is tied for the team lead in hits (27) and doubles (7). Seven different Jaguars have driven in at least ten runs this season.

After Lucas, Amanda Melzoni improved to 3-5 on the season after picking up a win in the second game of the series against NKU. Melzoni has worked herself in to the No. 2 spot in the rotation and has thrown the second-most innings on the staff (33.2), though still well behind Lucas (108.2).

SCOUTING REPORT
Valparaiso will be playing its home opener when the Jags visit town and the Crusaders will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Valpo is 9-13 overall but has struggled since conference play has started, having lost five of its six games. Valpo dropped all three games against Southern Illionis and was 1-2 against Bradley to begin play in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Jaymee Lawton leads the team as the only player to be hitting above .300 with a .333 average. Lawton has also displayed the most power at the plate, leading the team with four home runs and 10 RBI. Eight Crusaders have struck out at least ten times with Jaina Westphal leading the team with 21. But when Westphal gets on base she is a threat, going 10-for-11 on stolen base attempts.

In the circle, Kelsie Packard leads the way with a7-6 record and 3.44 ERA. Packard has thrown 75.1 innings and struck out 79 batters while allowing opposing players to hit just .233.

IUPUI is 14-29 all-time against Valpo, including a loss the last time the two teams met back in 2017. IUPUI had won three-straight before the last loss.

UP NEXT
After its game against Valpo, the Jags will host Youngstown State on Friday (Mar. 29) and Saturday (Mar. 30) with the home opener beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday.