Softball Opens Play in Branson With Pair of Monday Games

Marshall, Mo., (March 10, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College softball team opened a week-long trip in Branson, Mo., with a pair of non-conference games Monday.  The Vikings fell to Ecclesia (Ark.) and NCAA Division II Minot State (N.D.).

Ecclesia opened its game against the Viking by going in front with two runs scored in the top of the first inning.  Missouri Valley got one of those runs back in the bottom half, as Freshman Pitcher Hailey LeMunyon (Maysville, Mo.) tripled, then came home on a Junior First Baseman Olivia Bettencourt (Murrieta, Ga.) single.  Ecclesia increased its lead in the top of the second inning, producing three hits to eventually score four runs and extend the advantage out to 6-1.  Pitcher Morgan Clubb (Oak Grove, Mo.) took down Ecclesia in order in the third inning, striking out one batter, then worked around a one-out single in the fourth to keep MVC at a five-run deficit.  The teams were unable to produce from the plate until the seventh inning.  Ecclesia put together a pair of hits and used one MVC error to bring home three runs in the at-bat.  The Vikings got run-scoring doubles from Freshman Second Baseman Allison Loucas (Twin Lakes, Wisc.) and Bettencourt in the bottom half of the inning, but could not rally late and fell by a final score of 9-4.

Bettencourt had two hits and two RBI's, while Junior Rightfielder Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) added two hits and one run scored.  LeMunyon had one hit and two runs, and Loucas added one hit, one run and one RBI.  Clubb pitched five innings, giving up three hits and no earned runs with two strikeouts.

Missouri Valley fell in its second game of the day, against NCAA Division II Minot State.  The Vikings fell behind early, trailing by a 5-0 score after the second inning of play.  Minot State held MVC to no hits in the game, and only one baserunner in the 8-0 loss.

The losses drop Missouri Valley to 3-11 on the season.

Up next, the Vikings play another pair of games in Branson, Mo., Tuesday.  Missouri Valley plays Cottey (Mo.) at 10 a.m., followed by a 12 p.m., game against Ecclesia (Ark.). 

Ecclesia Box Score-Click Here

Minot State 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.