SIOUX CENTER, IOWA - The Vikings opened their 2024 season with a pair of wins over GPAC opponent Morningside University. The Vikings had the bats firing early on, scoring 18 runs between both games with 7-2 and 11-3 victories. However, the Vikings would struggle in the nightcap, falling to Briar Cliff University 4-3 to end the day 2-1.  
 

GAME 1 - Jessica Walljasper picked up her first pitching win of the season as she retired 17 batters with strikeouts and only conceded 5 hits in 7 innings. She was able to be that productive on the mound because of the early success from the offense as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first 2 innings. Kylie Merical and Mackenzie Meister were major sparks for the Vikings as they both hit doubles to drive in those early runs. Merical's double coming in the first inning scored one run, and Meister's would score 3 runs in the second inning. The Vikings would tack on a few more insurance runs later but took care of business with a 7-2 win.  

GAME 2 - The Second game would start with another offensive explosion as the Vikings tallied 5 runs in the second inning. Allyx Lee started the inning off with a single to left field, bringing in a run before Walljasper doubled to center, scoring two more runs. Merical capped off the inning with a single to right field, scoring two more runs. The Mustangs would score 3 runs in the 5th inning to try and get back in the game but the Vikings kept their foot on the gas and tacked on 2 more runs to end the game early in the 5th inning. Madi Huisman picked up her first win of the season, only allowing five hits over 5 innings.  

GAME 3 - Briar Cliff jumped out to quick lead as they picked up 4 runs through the first 3 innings before the Vikings would get on the board in the 4th. Chloe Kottlowsk singled to center field but could advance to second base on the throw as she helped bring in the first two Viking runs of the game. Merical reached bases on an error in the bottom of the 6th, helping bring in another run to cut the lead to one run heading into the last inning. Grand View couldn't generate any more runs in the final frame as they fell to the Chargers 4-3 in 7 innings.  

GAME NOTES:  

• The Vikings totaled 19 hits over two games.  

• Graduate pitching veteran Jessica Walljasper recorded 17 Ks in game one.  

• Stole 6 total bases, with Lee and Meister leading the way with 2  

• Olivia Harmon went 3-3 in the second double-header game.  

• No Vikings struck out in the second game.  

WHAT'S NEXT?  
The Vikings are back at it against Dort University for a pair of games starting at 2 PM tomorrow. These two games will cap off the Vikings games in the ASB Sports Complex Softball Classic in Sioux Center, IA.