DES MOINES, IOWA – Grand View Softball hosted Baker University for a home series on Friday, resulting in a split. The Vikings struggled offensively in the first game but rebounded in the second to even the series. Both teams now sit atop the Heart of America Conference with 5-1 records.
GAME 1 | BAKER 1, GRAND VIEW 0
The Vikings were narrowly defeated 1-0 in the first game, struggling to find their offense after Baker's third-inning home run.
Despite committing an error in the first inning, Grand View's defense held strong behind
Madi Huisman, who pitched all seven innings. She allowed just five hits, one run, struck out six, and forced ten ground outs and four fly outs. Baker's only run came in the third inning when they connected for the home run.
The Wildcats' pitcher, who struck out nine Vikings, stifled Grand View's offense. The Vikings left eight runners on base, with their best opportunity coming in the bottom of the fifth.
Kendall Nagel led off with a single to right center, but a baserunning miscue on a sacrifice bunt cleared the bases, and
Olivia Harmon's subsequent double failed to bring in any runs.
GAME 2 | GRAND VIEW 11, BAKER 2 (6 INNINGS)
Determined to split the series, the Vikings came out strong in the second game.
Madeline Waldorf started the game with three straight strikeouts, setting the tone for the Viking offense.
Olivia Harmon led off with a triple to left field and later crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Samantha Holbert also scored in the first inning after reaching base on a fielder's choice, stealing second, and coming home on
Reese Cooley's RBI double. The Vikings quickly took a 2-0 lead.
After stranding two Wildcats in the top of the fourth, Grand View erupted for five runs. The rally began when
Reese Cooley reached first on a dropped third strike. Walks by
Kylie Merical and
Cheyenne Jones loaded the bases, and
Chloe Kottlowski was hit by a pitch to bring in Cooley. A passed ball allowed Merical to score, followed by a double from Harmon that brought in the remaining two runners. The rally continued when
Mackenzie Meister launched a home run to push the Vikings' lead to 7-0.
Baker managed two runs in the fifth inning thanks to timely hitting and aggressive baserunning, but
Addison Halstead came in to shut things down, striking out the final batter with a runner on third.
Grand View responded in the bottom of the fifth. A pair of singles by Holbert and Cooley set the table, and
Gabriella Taber advanced them with a ground ball out. Merical's sacrifice bunt brought Holbert home and moved Cooley to third. Cooley was then driven in by Jones' single to left, extending the Vikings' lead to seven runs.
The game ended in the bottom of the sixth when Cooley delivered a two-RBI double to right field, triggering the run-rule victory.
Waldorf earned the win, pitching 4.2 innings and striking out eight of the 20 batters she faced. Halstead came in as the closer, tossing 1.1 perfect innings, striking out one and forcing three fly-outs in the four batters she faced.
GAME NOTES
- Reese Cooley was an offensive standout, going 4-for-6 with 3 RBIs, 2 runs, and the walk-off double to close Game 2 early.
- Olivia Harmon went 3-for-5 with 2 doubles, a triple, 3 walks, and 2 RBIs.
- Mackenzie Meister hit her third home run of the season in Game 2.
- The Vikings' pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts across both games.
- Grand View out-hit Baker 13-10 in the series.
- The Vikings committed just 1 error in each game, maintaining solid defense throughout.
UP NEXT
The Vikings will host another home doubleheader at Richard O. Jacobson Field in Des Moines, IA, on Wednesday, April 2nd, at 3:00 and 5:00 PM against Graceland University.
