Softball Game Preview: Valparaiso Vikings vs. Chesterton Trojans

The Valparaiso Vikings will take on the Chesterton Trojans at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Valparaiso is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.8 runs per game this season.

Valparaiso is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering La Porte just ended the team's five-game winning streak on Monday. They came up short against the Slicers, falling 10-2. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Vikings have suffered since April 16, 2024.

Maddie Horka was cooking despite her team's loss, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one double.

The home team had won the previous three meetings between Chesterton and Portage, and Chesterton kept the tradition alive. The Trojans blew past the Indians 13-3 on Monday. The Trojans might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three matchups by ten runs or more this season.

Hannah Florian was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing three innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. Florian was also big at the plate, going a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI and one double.

In other batting news, Oliva Milton was incredible, firing off two home runs and three RBI while going 2-for-4. Those two home runs gave her a new career-high. Alexia Franco was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, and one stolen base.

Chesterton was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .448. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.

Valparaiso's loss dropped their record down to 6-6. As for Chesterton, their victory ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 3-5.

Valparaiso couldn't quite finish off Chesterton in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 and fell 7-5. Can the Vikings avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.