CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – Grand View Softball is heading to the Heart of America Conference Tournament Championship after a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Baker on Saturday afternoon. Trailing by one in the bottom of the seventh, Olivia Harmon blasted a triple to deep center, then flew home on a sacrifice fly from Samantha Holbert to complete the comeback and keep the Vikings unbeaten in tournament play.

The dramatic finish capped a tense, back-and-forth battle between the bracket's last two undefeated teams. Grand View struck first in the fourth, when Nevaeh Randall sent a double down the left-field line and scored on a single from Gabriella Taber to grab a 1-0 lead.

On the mound, Madi Huisman held Baker in check through six innings, scattering nine hits and holding the Wildcats scoreless until the seventh. That's when Baker finally broke through with a solo home run and a string of hits to take a 2-1 lead. Addison Halstead came on in relief and calmly shut down the rally, retiring both batters she faced to keep the Vikings within striking distance. The duo's late-game dynamic, which Grand View also used to seal the win on Friday, has become a key piece of the Vikings' tournament run.

In the bottom of the seventh, Mackenzie Meister sparked the rally with a leadoff single to center. That brought up Harmon, who launched a game-tying triple—her first hit of the day—to center field. With the crowd on edge, Baker issued an intentional walk to load the bases, not willing to take a risk on Randall's well-known clutch hitting. Holbert then stepped up and delivered, sending a fly ball to left that gave Harmon enough time to tag up and dash home for the winning run.

Grand View's offense finished with eight hits, highlighted by multi-hit performances from Randall, Taber, and Reese Cooley. Harmon reached base twice and scored the game-winner, while Holbert came through with the decisive swing.

Defensively, the Vikings were sharp all game. Randall was perfect at first base, recording 10 putouts, and Olivia Kyes turned in a standout performance at third with nine assists and a putout of her own. Grand View committed no errors, stranded seven Wildcats, and caught a runner stealing in a complete team effort.

With the win, Grand View advances to Sunday's championship game needing just one more victory to clinch the Heart of America title—for the first time since 2018 and the third in program history.

GAME NOTES

• Olivia Harmon stepped up under pressure, hitting a game-tying triple for her first hit of the day, while Samantha Holbert followed with the game-winning sacrifice fly.
• The dynamic pitching duo was dominant once again, with Madi Huisman delivering 6 strong innings before Addison Halstead (4-0) closed it out, keeping the Wildcats off balance.
• Nevaeh Randall went 2-for-3, with a double and a run scored, while showcasing perfect defense with 10 putouts at first base.
• Olivia Kyes had a stellar defensive performance at third, recording 9 putout assists and 1 putout, without committing any errors.
• Gabriella Taber contributed with an early RBI, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate, while Reese Cooley added two singles.
• Grand View played error-free defense, stranded 7 Wildcats on base, and successfully caught a Wildcat attempting to steal.
• The Vikings will look to claim their first tournament title since 2018.

UP NEXT
Grand View advances to the Heart of America Conference Tournament Championship and will face the winner of the elimination bracket on Sunday, May 4, at 12:00 PM in Cedar Rapids. The Vikings need one more win to capture the program's third conference title.