COLUMBUS, GEORGIA – The Vikings moved forward on the winner's side of the bracket entering Friday. Grand View came in with a chance to redeem an early season loss against the No. 1 seed in the World Series, University of the Cumberlands (Ky.). The Vikings earned two runs in the game and that's all the cushion Madeline Waldorf needed as she pitched a complete shutout to move GV along on the winner's side of the bracket.
GRAND VIEW 2, CUMBERLANDS 0
Grand View swung the bats first in today's game. The Vikings top of the lineup smoked the ball but didn't get rewarded in the first.
Madeline Waldorf entered the circle for GV. After a quick out, the Patriots gained two base runners, but Waldorf stayed the course.
In the top of the second, Sam Holbert started with a hard-hit ball up the middle and off the glove of the pitcher. She beat out the throw and got the inning started. Tolbert laid down a sacrifice bunt but an overthrown ball to first put runners at the corners with no outs. Reese Colley laid into a pitch but stayed up just long enough for the left fielder. This resulted in an RBI sac fly as Holbert tagged from third to score. The Vikings put runners on the corners again from a Kylie Merical Walk and a fielder's choice by Mackenzie Meister but nothing doing.
Grand View let up a one out double in the bottom of the inning but a clutch strikeout from Waldorf but two away. Then a hard-hit ball to right was trouble but Ella Taber tracked it down towards the fence, to close the inning.
Back to the top of the lineup and another line drive for Olivia Harmon but this time it drops for a base hit. Kyes advanced her to second on a beautiful bunt. Nevaeh Randall hit another hard ball that short stop made a tough play on. With two outs, Holbert delivered an RBI single that blooped into shallow center!
The third inning was the first real jam of the game for Madeline. An early base runner on second was advanced to third on a bunt. A great stretch for Merical got them out at first, which proved to be vital. Waldorf then struck out the next batter to keep the runner put at third. Then she popped up the third out to Chloe Kottlowski to end the inning with no damage done on the scoreboard.
The fourth started with Cooley taking a pitch in her hands. Merical laid down a sac bunt to advance her to second and proved yet again, that this Viking lineup plays team ball under Head Coach Yacinich. Meister put another ball on the ground to put Reese on third with two away. Kottlowski battled her way to a full count and struck a ball well into the right but didn't get down in time. The lead stayed at 2-0.
A one out runner for Waldorf in the bottom of the fourth was erased by Holbert on a throw down to second! The Vikings had held tough the rest of the inning and Waldorf found herself in a jam the following inning as well. With two runners aboard, Waldorf had Wilkins get under a ball that Taber took care of in right.
In the bottom of the sixth, Cumberlands put a runner on with no outs but more magic from the defense. A line drive was stopped by Kottlowski and thrown over to first for a massive 6-3 double play! Harmon ran in on a fly ball the next at-bat and ended the inning.
Top of the seventh started with our lead off, and Grand View looking for some insurance! Harmon delivered a single out to center and got started on the right foot. The momentum was halted though, with great fielding from UC.
Madeline Waldorf entered the bottom of the seventh with a chance to close out the top seed in the tournament. The Vikings earned two quick outs from a fly ball and an unassisted ground out for Randall. After a walk, Meister traveled just left to put track down the final out of the game and secure the upset!
Grand View took down the No. 1 seed, 2-0.
GAME NOTES
UP NEXT
Grand View will take the field as the home team against Oklahoma City tomorrow, May 24th. The Vikings will play at 3 PM CST.
