CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – For the first time since 2018, Grand View Softball has claimed the Heart of America Conference Championship, completing an undefeated tournament run with a thrilling 3-2 walk-off victory over Baker on Sunday. In a tense rematch of Saturday's comeback win, the Vikings once again triumphed over the Wildcats, this time with the championship on the line. Gabriella Taber set the stage in the bottom of the eighth with a lead-off double, advancing on a bunt before scoring the game-winning run on a grounder from Kylie Merical. Addison Halstead secured her third win of the tournament with another standout relief outing, helping propel Grand View to the NAIA Opening Round.

The game was a tense back-and-forth affair. Grand View struck first in the bottom of the fourth when Samantha Holbert blasted a solo home run to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.

Baker responded with one run in both the fifth and sixth innings, capitalizing on a lead-off double and a lead-off home run in each respective frame. However, Grand View answered in the bottom of the sixth. Nevaeh Randall led off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Holbert, and scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly from Taber, making it 2-2.

Neither team could break the tie in the seventh, despite Grand View putting two runners on base, sending the game into extra innings. The Wildcats went down quietly in the top of the eighth with three groundouts, giving the Vikings a chance to win it. Taber led off the bottom of the inning with her crucial double, then advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Reese Cooley. Merical's grounder allowed Taber to score, despite a close tag attempt at home plate, securing the Vikings' second walk-off win of the tournament.

Madeline Waldorf and Addison Halstead combined to keep Baker off the scoreboard. Halstead (now 5-0) was dominant in relief, shutting down the Wildcats over the final three innings. She allowed just one hit, forced eight groundouts, and set the stage for the walk-off finish. Waldorf pitched the first five innings, surrendering six hits and two runs while forcing nine flyouts.

Defensively, Grand View played flawless softball, committing no errors. Randall was stellar at first base, recording 12 putouts, while Merical was active at second base with seven putouts and three assists.

At the plate, Taber led the charge with a 1-for-2 performance, including the game-tying sacrifice fly and the key double in the eighth. Holbert and Randall also played crucial roles, each contributing multiple base hits.

GAME NOTES

• Grand View secured its third Heart of America Conference Tournament title, with previous championships in 2016 and 2018.
• The Vikings finished the tournament undefeated, defeating Baker for the second consecutive day to claim the title.
• Addison Halstead (5-0) earned her third win of the tournament, pitching three shutout innings in relief and allowing just one hit.
• Gabriella Taber contributed with a 1-for-2 performance, including a key double in the eighth and the game-winning run.
• The Vikings played with precision, committing no errors and executing four sacrifice bunts.
• Nevaeh Randall recorded 12 putouts at first base, while Kylie Merical had 7 putouts and 3 assists at second.

UP NEXT
Grand View has earned an automatic bid to the NAIA Softball Opening Round. The Vikings will await their seeding and location for the national tournament, heading into the next stage with the momentum of a championship victory.