DES MOINES, IA- The Vikings split a pair of games with the Ottawa Braves on Saturday afternoon as they opened up their slate of home games for this season. With strong winds blowing in from center field for the entire afternoon it made it difficult for either team to have a major offensive spark with only 8 runs being scored between the two teams in 14 innings of play. Grand View takes game 1 2-0 before dropping the second game 4-2.
Game 1 was a defensive showdown as
Jessica Walljasper shut the Braves down early with 8 strikeouts in the first three innings. She totaled 13 throughout the entire game while only surrendering 2 hits to move her record on the season to 8-0.
Chloe Kottlowski was able to bring in the deciding run of the afternoon after reaching on an error by 3rd base scoring
Olivia Kyes in the 3rd inning. Keyes would score an insurance run in the bottom of the 5th inning after an
Allyx Lee single in the 5th inning.
The second game saw the ball get put into play more often as both teams combined for 10 total hits. the Vikings would get themselves out of a jam early in the 1st inning as the Braves had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out but failed to score a run.
Rachel Anderson responded in the bottom of the 1st reaching on a fielders choice to score Lee for an early lead. The difference would come in the top of the 3rd as the Braves were able to bring in 3 runs and never surrendered the lead again.
Madi Huisman picked up her first loss of the season moving to 7-1 but dished out 7 strikeouts in the game.
GAME NOTES
- GV struck out 20 of the 51 batters faced and only struck out 6 times
- GV would leave 10 runners stranded on base over the series
- Vikings move to 14-3 and 1-1 at home this season
- Lee led the Vikings with 2 hits over the series
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Vikings have one more double header before they open Heart of America play against Park University. They will travel to Davenport, IA Wednesday afternoon for a pair of games against St. Ambrose University. First pitches are set for 2&4 PM.
