Softball Falls to Baker in Road Doubleheader

Baldwin City, Kan., (Apr. 22, 2023)- The Missouri Valley College softball team traveled to Baldwin City, Kan., for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against No. 7 Baker (Kan.). The Vikings fell in the opener, 4-1, followed by a 5-1 defeat in game two.

Both teams were held scoreless in the opening two innings of game one. Senior Pitcher Kim Horsten (Moergestel, The Netherlands) struck out one in the first inning, then struck out a pair in the second inning. Baker broke through in the bottom of the third, using a pair of errors and one walk to produce two runs and hold a 2-0 lead. Sophomore First Baseman Morgan Newmyer (Davenport, Iowa) singled to open the top of the fourth, but MVC could not cut into its deficit. The Wildcats followed with more offense in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs on two hits and one error to push the advantage out to 4-0. Junior Pitcher Makenzie Aguiar (Tulare, Calif.) worked around a pair of hits in the bottom of the sixth to strand the runners on-base. The Vikings tried to mount a late rally, as Senior Centerfielder Viviana Gamez (Newark, Calif.) singled to score Sophomore Third Baseman Brianna Vela (Kingsburg, Calif.), and the tying run came to the plate with only one out. However, Missouri Valley was unable to close the gap any more in the final at-bat, and fell, 4-1.

Newmyer finished with two hits, while Vela had one hit and one run. Gamez totaled one hit and one RBI, and Senior Catcher Carly Powley (Keenesburg, Calif.) added one hit. The loss went to Horsten, who pitched four innings with two hits and one earned run with seven strikeouts.

Missouri Valley went in front early in the second game, all with two outs. Freshman Shortstop Aidee Mendoza (Santa Ana, Calif.) and Newmyer both singled, with Mendoza coming home on a single from Freshman Designated Player Olivia Bettencourt (Murrieta, Calif.) to put the team ahead, 1-0. Baker answered with a rally in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs on three hits to move in front, 3-1. Sophomore Pitcher Cherrelee Miles (Centruion, South Africa) struck out one batter in both the second and third innings to keep BU scoreless. The Wildcats added to their advantage in the fourth, as a double to open the at-bat followed by a single made it a 4-1 score. Sophomore Rightfielder Mackenzie Graham (Everett, Wash.) started the fifth with a single, but was left stranded. The deficit grew by another run going into the sixth inning, as MVC trailed, 5-1. The Vikings were unable to climb back late, and fell by a final score of 5-1.

Mendoza finished with one hit and one run scored, while Bettencourt added one hit and one RBI. The loss went to Miles who went seven hits with five earned runs and three strikeouts.

Missouri Valley falls to 20-18 on the season and 9-9 in the Heart. Baker improves to 34-6 overall and 14-4 in the conference.

Up next, the Viking softball team stays on the road and travels to Atchison, Kan., for a Heart doubleheader with Benedictine (Kan.), Sunday at 1 p.m.

Game 1 Box Score-Click Here

Game 2 Box Score-Click Here

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.