SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – Grand View Softball opened their 2025 season at the two-day Defender Classic with a 1-3 record while facing two Top 25-ranked programs. Despite a tough pair of losses on Friday, the Vikings bounced back to split their games on Saturday.
 
FRIDAY

GAME 1 | NO. 15 MIDLAND 7, GRAND VIEW 2

The Vikings faced a challenging opponent in No. 15 Midland University, falling 7-2 in the opener. Grand View struck first in the initial inning when Naveah Randall singled to bring in Olivia Kyes, who had reached base with a single of her own. However, Midland responded with a series of hits and an untimely Viking error, jumping out to a three-run lead by the fifth inning. The Mustangs extended their advantage with a three-run home run in the sixth. Grand View fought back with Randall recording another RBI single to score Cheyenne Jones, who pinch-ran for Chloe Kottlowski after a single, but the Vikings were unable close the gap, and Midland secured the victory. The Vikings totaled eight hits and committed one error, while Midland tallied 11 hits with no errors.
 
GAME 2 | DORDT 5, GRAND VIEW 2

In the nightcap against Dordt University, the Vikings fell 5-2. After a quick three consecutive outs in the field, Grand View came alive at the plate, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Olivia Harmon and Nevaeh Randall each recorded triples, with Gabriella Taber driving in an RBI with a bunt. Kyes then stole second, forcing a throw down that allowed Harmon to score. Unfortunately, the Vikings couldn't maintain their momentum as Dordt answered with five runs, including two homers. Grand View managed just five hits while committing two errors, while the Defenders posted seven hits and no errors.
 
SATURDAY

GAME 3 | GRAND VIEW 5, MORNINGSIDE 2

The Vikings bounced back with a 5-2 victory over Morningside University to close out the weekend. Continuing their first-inning trend, Grand View took an early 2-0 lead. A pair of back-to-back errors by Morningside, combined with aggressive baserunning from the Vikings, allowed both Kyes and Harmon to cross the plate. The Mustangs evened the score with a homer in the second and an RBI double in the fourth, however, the Vikings regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Kyes led off with a single to right field, and Randall followed with an RBI double to score her. Taber moved Randall over with a single to center before Reese Cooley brought her in with a ground-out RBI. Grand View added another run in the bottom of the sixth as Kottlowsk's single brought in Kylie Merical to make it 5-2. The win went to pitcher Molly Breeding, who tossed three innings of no-hit, no-run ball, keeping the Mustangs off the board. Grand View totaled seven hits with no errors, while Morningside managed only four hits and two errors.
 
GAME 4 | NO. 11 NORTHWESTERN 4, GRAND VIEW 3

Grand View's final battle of the weekend was a nail-biter against No. 11 Northwestern, with the game proving to be a tight contest. Northwestern managed to pull ahead with a three-run lead by the third inning, leaving the Vikings scoreless. However, an exciting sixth inning sparked hope for Grand View. The Vikings were able to capitalize on a Red Raider pitching change to start the quarter, as Kyes and Harmon both reached base with singles before Randall sent a three-run homer over the left-center fence, tying the game at 3-3. Grand View's defense held firm in the bottom of the sixth, but they were unable to score in the seventh. A bases-loaded walk gave Northwestern the final run they needed, and the Vikings fell 4-3 to the Top 25 team. Both teams recorded five hits, with the only error in the game coming from Grand View.

GAME NOTES

• Nevaeh Randall led the team with 7 RBIs and hit her first home run of the season, batting .417 (5-for-12) over the weekend.
• Madeline Waldorf recorded a team-high 8 strikeouts over 8 innings, allowing 5 hits and 4 runs, finishing with a 2.63 ERA.
• The Vikings totaled 25 hits across the four games.
• Grand View committed 4 defensive errors in the weekend, averaging 1 per game.  

UP NEXT
Grand View returns to action next week on Tuesday, February 11th, for a doubleheader against Winona State University at 12:00 and 2:00 PM.