Softball Splits Saturday Non-Conference Games

Wichita, Kan., (Mar. 2, 2024)- The Missouri Valley College softball team played two more games at the Friends Invitational in Wichita, Kan., Saturday afternoon. The Vikings won the opening game against York (Neb.), 12-0 in five innings, but fell in the second game, 4-2, against St. Mary (Kan.).

The first game against York (Neb.) started with Missouri Valley going in front in the top of the first inning, as Sophomore First Baseman Olivia Bettencourt (Murrieta, Calif.) doubled to right field and then Freshman Designated Player Quinlynn Keller (Galt, Calif.) singled to bring home Bettencourt, 1-0. Senior Pitcher Kim Horsten (Moergestel, The Netherlands) struck one batter and also grounded out another to keep the bottom of the first inning scoreless. The second inning started with a long run by the Vikings, as Junior Shortstop Alanna Neilsen (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Sophomore Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) both singled, and with a pair of runners on base, Junior Centerfielder Caitlyn Vela (Kingsburg, Calif.) brought Neilsen home. Castruita was able to score on an error by the catcher, while Junior Second Baseman Avery Gifford (Kansas City, Mo.) followed with a single to left field allowing Simons to score. Bettencourt also singled to score one run. Later in the inning Missouri Valley scored as they had loaded bases and the batters walked twice to make it a 7-0 score. In the bottom of the second inning, Horsten only allowed one hit and struck out two batters and left a runner stranded in third base. 

The third inning started with a single from Simons, and Gifford followed with a two-run homer to extend the Vikings lead to 9-0. Horsten kept the game scoreless after striking out two batters in the bottom of the third inning. Missouri Valley scored two more runs in the fourth inning, where Senior Rightfielder Chrisha Gray (Modesto, Calif.) singled to right field, and then advanced to second as Neilsen was hit by the pitch. Castruita reached first on a fielder's choice and allowed Gray to score. With two runners on base C. Vela brought them home with a single to center field to make it a 12-0 score. Horsten did not allow any hits in the bottom of the 4th inning and struck out three batters swinging. The game ended after a scoreless fifth inning, and the Vikings won by a final score of 12-0.

The team was led by Gifford who finished with three hits, two runs and three RBI's, while Bettencourt had three hits, two runs and one RBI. Nielsen and Castruita each added one hit, two runs and one RBI. Horsten pitched a complete-game, with a total of nine strikeouts, and giving up five hits.

The game against St. Mary opened with the Spires taking the lead in the top of the first inning using a homer to produce two runs, 2-0. Both teams were held scoreless in the second inning, but St. Mary scored another run in the third inning to extend their lead to 3-0. Missouri Valley answered back, as Gifford and Bettencourt singled, and Junior Third Baseman Brianna Vela (Kingsburg, Calif.) doubled to left field to bring both runners home, making it a 3-2 score. Freshman Pitcher Chloe Shuff (Cypress, Calif.) kept the top of the fourth inning scoreless, striking out one batter. Missouri Valley had one hit, as Castruita singled to center field but she was left stranded in second base. St. Mary added to its lead in the top of the fifth inning, after producing two hits and bringing a runner home. The Vikings started the inning with two singles by Gifford and Bettencourt, then Neilsen walked, and with loaded-bases the runners were left stranded. The Spires held on to their lead, 3-2, going into the sixth inning. Both teams failed to produce any runs in the sixth and seventh innings of the game, and Missouri Valley was unable to come back, and fell, 4-2.

Vela totaled one hit and two RBI's. Bettencourt and Gifford finished with two hits and one run each. Shuff pitched a complete-game, giving up seven hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts. 

Missouri Valley moves to 3-9 on the season.

Up next, the Vikings softball team will play a non-conference doubleheader against Friends (Kan.), tomorrow (Sunday) in Wichita, Kan., starting at 12 p.m.

York Box Score - Click Here

St. Mary 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.