COLUMBUS, GEORGIA – The Vikings kicked off the 2025 NAIA World Series this morning at 10:00 a.m. No. 8 Grand View played against No. 9 seed Midland University. The teams split games this year during the regular season and meet to break the tie in a big moment. Grand View wore all white uniforms today and took the field first. Before the game, the NAIA recognized the Champions of Character, and Kylie Merical represented Grand View.
GRAND VIEW 8, MIDLAND 3
Madi Huisman threw first for GV. Midland found a couple base runners early but Grand View with strong outfield play from Olivia Harmon and Mackenzie Meister to end the inning unscathed.
Grand View got a base runner on a walk earned by Olivia Kyes and with two outs, the Vikings continued to show what they had done all season. Samantha Holbert brought in Kyes from second on a blooper to right field that found the grass. Vikings have an early 1-0 lead in the first.
Huisman started inning number two with a strikeout and found her rhythm. Madi produced a 1-2-3 inning on a weak pop up to Kylie Merical at second, and a dribbler to Kyes that was fielded cleaning with a strong throw to first.
The Vikings kept their offense going in the bottom half of the second with a Reese Cooley walk to start the inning. Merical followed up with a ball smoked the opposite way that brought ended up bringing in Cooley and a spot on third base with savvy base running. Meister was up to bat next and battled at the plate. Meister fouled off a couple handfuls of pitches on a 3-2 count before ripping a double to the opposite field! An RBI double and a 3-0 lead for the Vikings. Chloe Kottlowski moved Meister over to third on a fielder's choice and with one out, Grand View reached the top of the order. Harmon battled in the count as well and on a full count, delivered a single up the middle to bring in a Viking's run. Harmon stole on the next pitch and on an errant throw, made her way to third. Coach Yacinich had the squeeze bunt in play and Kyes performed to perfection, bringing in the fourth run of the inning. Grand View led the game 5-0 after two.
The top of the third had trouble early but Huisman showed great poise in the first pressure situation of the game. A visit to the mound settled the nerves and the Vikings got out of the inning only surrendering one run.
Fast forward to the bottom of the fourth and Harmon got the Vikings going with a one out single. Kyes followed that up with a single of her own. Kyes stole second on the following pitch and Randall had a potential moment with two runners in scoring position. Randall worked the count to a 3-1 advantage and delivered a rocket to center for a two RBI single! Grand View led Midland 7-1 after four.
In the fifth, Midland added a run early and had two runners with just one out found from GV. In another big moment, Huisman found a way to settle down. Madi earned two strikeouts to end the inning on beautiful off-speed pitches.
In the bottom of the inning, Ella Taber led the inning with an infield single that moved the shortstop over to her right. Merical saw another pitch well and slapped a single through the left side of the infield and the Vikings had two aboard with one out. Runners moved to second and third for Kottlowski. Chloe struck a ball to right center but couldn't drop in time, as the Midland center fielder saved what could have been two more runs.
Midland earned two early base hits in the top of the sixth, and Huisman found another high pressure scenario. Olivia Kyes fielded a bunt and made a quick throw back to her bag at third where Kottlowski covered and got the lead runner. Huisman then popped the next batter up to right field. The runners were now at the corners and Holbert threw down to second on an attempted steal. The Vikings tagged the runner in a pickle but the run from third came home. Grand View got out of the inning with just one run given up and the lead at 7-3.
Kyes went to the opposite field for her second hit of the game and put a runner on with just one out in the sixth. With two outs now, Holbert delivered a massive two out double that reached the wall in left center. Kyes came flying around the bases to score from first and gave GV more cushion before the entered the seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh, Addison Halstead took over to close after an early walk by Huisman. The score 8-3, Midland loaded the bases with no outs. Nerves from the Grand View crowd were felt as Halstead looked to control the chaos. Halstead delivered a fly out to Harmon for the first out of the inning and Olivia's throw to the plate halted the runner at third. Halstead came back with a ground ball to Kottlowski at short. The flip to Merical and a throw in time to first ended the game! A 6-4-3 double play ball turned the moment upside down for the Vikings.
Grand View took down No. 9 seed Midland in the opening game of the 2025 NAIA Softball World Series.
GAME NOTES
UP NEXT
Grand View will move on to play No. 1 seed Cumberlands (Ky.) tomorrow, May 22nd. The Vikings will take the field at 3:00 PM CST.
