Softball Splits to Graceland in Road Doubleheader

Lamoni, Iowa, (April 28, 2023)- The Missouri Valley College softball team went to Lamoni, Iowa for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader Friday afternoon against Graceland (Iowa). The Vikings won the opening game, 8-1, but fell in the second game, 11-3, to split the doubleheader.

Missouri Valley went in front early in the first game, as Senior Centerfielder Viviana Gamez (Newark, Calif.) singled, and eventually came home on a single from Freshman Shortstop Aidee Mendoza (Santa Ana, Calif.). Later in the inning, the Vikings used a hit by the pitch to load the bases and Mendoza to score, moving MVC on top, 2-0. Senior Pitcher Kim Horsten (Moergestel, The Netherlands) struck out two batters to keep the Yellowjackets scoreless. Missouri Valley followed with a single by Senior Catcher Carly Powley (Keenesburg, Calif.), and by Sophomore Leftfielder Caitlyn Vela (Kingsburg, Calif.) to load the bases again. Mendoza brought Powley home with a single. Graceland cut into its deficit in the bottom of the second inning with a solo homer. The Vikings answered back with a two-run homer by Junior Rightfielder Chrisha Gray (Modesto, Calif.), to make it 5-1. Caswell scored as Senior Second Baseman Ashley Cox (Yreka, Calif.) doubled in the top of the fourth to extend their lead. Horsten struck out another pair of batters to keep the score, 6-1. Missouri Valley rallied in the top of the sixth with a single by Caswell, followed by an error by Graceland, and a single from Vela, who brought home Newmyer, and Stella Cashin (Alameda, Calif.) that came in to pinch run for Caswell. Both teams were unable to produce runs in the last inning of the game, and Horsten closed out the game with one more strikeout to finish out an 8-1 victory.

Mendoza led with two hits, one run, and two RBI's, while Vela and Gray had one hit, one run, and two RBI's each. Powley finished with three hits and one run, and Caswell added two hits and one run. Gamez had one hit and one run. Horsten pitched a complete-game, giving up five hits with one earned run, and eight strikeouts.

Senior Pitcher Paige Rademann (Jefferson City, Mo.) kept Graceland scoreless in the opening two innings of the game. However, the Yellowjackets took an early lead producing three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Newmyer doubled in the fourth, but the Vikings were unable to score. GU rallied in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring five runs on five hits to extend their lead to 8-0. Missouri Valley responded with offense in the fifth as both Sophomore Third Baseman Vela (Kingsburg, Calif.) and Junior Catcher Baylee Smuin singled. Gamez reached first based on an error, and C. Vela doubled to bring home two runners. Mendoza allowed Gamez to score while she grounded out to first baseman. Graceland followed with three more runs to finish the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Missouri Valley fell by a final score of 11-3.

Caitlyn Vela finished with one hit and two RBI's, while Mendoza added one hit and one RBI. Brianna Vela and Smuin had one hit each and one run each. Rademann pitched 3.2 innings, giving up eight hits, seven earned runs, and one home run.

The split moves Missouri Valley to 23-21 on the season, and 12-12 in the Heart. Graceland drops to 20-24 overall and 6-18 in the conference.

Up next, the Viking softball team hosts Park University (Mo.) in a Heart doubleheader on Senior Day, Saturday at 1 p.m., at Lyon Bowl.

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.