Ava Goodman brings two-way intrigue to Valpo’s 2026 freshman class
In the 2026 season, Ava Goodman flashed real upside as a 5'10" right-handed pitcher who also gave Valparaiso an unexpected pop at the plate, including a home run in her first collegiate plate appearance and another in a win over Utah Valley.[1][4][6][7] The bigger story is projection: Valpo’s staff clearly trusted her early, and her combination of size, strike-throwing potential, and live-arm freshman energy makes her a strong fit for a program looking for upside rather than just a finished product.[1][5][7][11]
