The Youngstown State softball team returns to Horizon League action when it visits Valparaiso for a three-game series, April 26-27. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m. (EDT). The Penguins and Crusaders will square off in a single game on Sunday.

    The Penguins and Crusaders have met 12 times previously but not since the 2001 season when the teams split a pair of games. Valparaiso owns an 8-4 advantage in the all-time series. The last time the Guins played at Valparaiso was during the 2000 season when the Crusaders swept YSU in a four-game series.

Last Time Out

The Penguins swept a doubleheader from Saint Francis (Pa.), 4-3, 11-3, on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Becky Hibner picked up her first collegiate win in game one and drove in the go-ahead runs in the nightcap. Senior McKenzie Bedra went 3-for-4 and drove in five runs to lead the Penguins to an 11-3 victory in game two.

Bedra Belts 30

WIth solo home run against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday, senior McKenzie Bedra became the first Youngstown State player to reach 30 home runs in a career. Bedra, who has seven round trippers this year, has hit at least seven home runs in each season. She hit seven as a freshman and sophomore and belted nine as a junior.

Cale Shining In Circle

Over the last week, sophomore Cheryl Cale has emerged as the Penguins' top hurler. Cale owns a 3-1 record with a 2.21 earned-run average and a save while striking out 15 and allowing just four walks in 25.1 innings.

McDonnell Boosting Average

Junior Kristen McDonnell has boosted her batting average 83 points over the last 11 contests from .204 to .287. Over that span, McDonnell is batting .462 (12-for-26) with three home runs, four doubles and 10 runs batted in.

More McDonnell

With her home run against Butler on April 20, junior Kristen McDonnell became just the second YSU player to hit at least 20 home runs in a career. The other is all-time home runs leader senior McKenzie Bedra, who has 30.

Vanyi One Away

Freshman Rochelle Vanyi needs just one more home run to tie the single-season home run record of 10 set by Liz Holt in 2003 and matched by junior Kristen McDonnell in 2006. Vanyi, who leads the team with nine home runs, would also become the third freshman to reach 10 home runs in a season.

Up Next

The Guins visit Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 29, in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.