University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mikey Reeves
Challburg Named Conference USA Freshman of the Week
3/2/2026 1:00:00 PM | Softball
NEWARK, Del. - University of Delaware softball pitcher Karli Challburg was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week after her performances against Le Moyne and Bryant at the Blue Hen Invitational, the league announced Monday, March 2.Â
Challburg's honor is the first for Delaware since joining CUSA. She allowed zero runs in 12.2 innings while earning wins in both pitching decisions. Challburg surrendered just eight hits and two walks while striking out 14 batters and held opponents to a .182 BAA. On Saturday, she pitched 5.2 relief innings and struck out seven with just two hits allowed. She followed that up with the first shutout of her career on Sunday, going all seven innings against Bryant with seven strikeouts and six hits and two walks allowed.Â
Challburg joins Josie Crossman (2025), Graceyn Frost (2022), and Emily Winburn (2020) as recent Delaware pitchers under Jen Steele to earn a conference rookie of the week honor. So far in her first season, Challburg is 3-2 in 11 appearances and five starts with a 3.62 ERA in 29 innings, 31 strikeouts, and 10 walks allowed. This is also the second season in a row a Delaware freshman has thrown a shutout, as Crossman threw two in 2025.Â
Delaware went 3-1 at the Blue Hen Invitational this past weekend, and is 8-4 over the last 12 games with wins over Big Ten opponents Ohio State and Maryland. UD will face Maryland on Wednesday night in College Park before beginning CUSA play at home against FIU on Friday, March 6.Â
TICKETS
Softball season ticket deposits are available now. Season ticket packages and individual game tickets will go on sale later this winter.
Individual ticket prices will be $10 per game and $5 for youth (ages 3-12). Season ticket packages will be available at 50 percent off the single-game rate. There will also be group rates, incentives, and additional gameday experience opportunities. All seating will be general admission at Delaware Softball Diamond.
UD students will continue to receive free tickets to all home softball games.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware softball, follow them on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Challburg's honor is the first for Delaware since joining CUSA. She allowed zero runs in 12.2 innings while earning wins in both pitching decisions. Challburg surrendered just eight hits and two walks while striking out 14 batters and held opponents to a .182 BAA. On Saturday, she pitched 5.2 relief innings and struck out seven with just two hits allowed. She followed that up with the first shutout of her career on Sunday, going all seven innings against Bryant with seven strikeouts and six hits and two walks allowed.Â
Challburg joins Josie Crossman (2025), Graceyn Frost (2022), and Emily Winburn (2020) as recent Delaware pitchers under Jen Steele to earn a conference rookie of the week honor. So far in her first season, Challburg is 3-2 in 11 appearances and five starts with a 3.62 ERA in 29 innings, 31 strikeouts, and 10 walks allowed. This is also the second season in a row a Delaware freshman has thrown a shutout, as Crossman threw two in 2025.Â
Delaware went 3-1 at the Blue Hen Invitational this past weekend, and is 8-4 over the last 12 games with wins over Big Ten opponents Ohio State and Maryland. UD will face Maryland on Wednesday night in College Park before beginning CUSA play at home against FIU on Friday, March 6.Â
TICKETS
Softball season ticket deposits are available now. Season ticket packages and individual game tickets will go on sale later this winter.
Individual ticket prices will be $10 per game and $5 for youth (ages 3-12). Season ticket packages will be available at 50 percent off the single-game rate. There will also be group rates, incentives, and additional gameday experience opportunities. All seating will be general admission at Delaware Softball Diamond.
UD students will continue to receive free tickets to all home softball games.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware softball, follow them on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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