SHAWNEE, OK. – Grand View faced its biggest test of the young season, squaring off against the ninth-ranked Drovers of the University of Science and Arts. After battling through tight contests early in the year, the Vikings were looking for a statement win. On Friday afternoon, they delivered in a big way.
GRAND VIEW 7, SCIENCE AND ARTS 3
The Drovers struck first, capitalizing on a wild pitch in the opening inning to take a 1-0 lead. USAO added another run in the second and pushed the margin to 3-0 in the third, taking advantage of a pair of unearned opportunities.
Claire Leinen got the start in the circle and battled through early adversity. Despite the three runs, only one was earned as the Vikings' defense regrouped behind her. Leinen limited further damage, keeping the game within reach and allowing the offense time to respond.
Grand View broke through in the fourth inning. Elle Nelson found her way around the bases and scored on a wild pitch, cutting the deficit to 3-1 and shifting momentum toward the Vikings' dugout.
Then came the fifth.
Chloe Kottlowski reached base to spark the inning, and
Alexia Jarrett stepped in with authority. Jarrett launched a two-run home run to center field, tying the game at 3-3 and igniting the Grand View offense.
The Vikings weren't done.
Peyton Naranjo kept the pressure on, and Nelson delivered again — this time ripping a double to center to plate the go-ahead run. Moments later,
Reese Cooley put an exclamation point on the inning with a towering three-run home run, scoring Nelson and
Nevaeh Randall to cap a six-run frame. In a matter of minutes, Grand View flipped a three-run deficit into a commanding 7-3 advantage.
From there, the pitching staff took over. Leinen finished five strong innings to earn her first win of the season, scattering five hits while striking out three.
Macy Blomgren entered in the sixth and was electric, striking out the side in a dominant inning of work.
Addison Halstead closed the door in the seventh, adding two more strikeouts to secure the upset victory.
Grand View totaled seven hits on the afternoon, highlighted by home runs from Jarrett and Cooley. Nelson added two hits, including a key RBI double, while Jarrett and Cooley combined for five of the team's seven RBIs.
It was timely hitting. It was resilience. It was a complete team effort against a top-10 opponent.
GAME NOTES
UP NEXT
Grand View will look to keep this momentum going as the Vikings play their last two games in Shawnee, Oklahoma against Ottawa University (Kan.) at 12:30 PM and Avila University (Mo.) at 2:45 PM.
