SHAWNEE, OK. – Grand View entered the weekend still searching for its first win of the young season after an 0-4 start. The Vikings matched up with the Royals of Hope University looking to flip the script and build momentum. In a tightly contested battle defined by grit and small wins, Grand View found exactly what it needed.
GRAND VIEW 1, HOPE UNIVERSITY 0
Grand View went quietly in the first inning, but the tone of the game was quickly established — every pitch would matter.
Madeline Waldorf took the circle determined to set the standard. After allowing a leadoff single, she settled in immediately. An infield pop-up and two strikeout swings ended any early threat. Waldorf worked efficiently, pounding the zone and trusting her defense behind her in the early innings.
The fifth inning proved to be more of the same — tight defense and small moments.
Nevaeh Randall showed aggression on the base paths with a stolen base earlier in the game, and while
Chloe Kottlowski was caught trying to take an extra bag, the Vikings continued to push the tempo. Every out had to be earned.
Then came the sixth.
Elle Nelson led off and found her way aboard. Nevaeah Randell and
Reese Cooley both had ground balls which moved Nelson into scoring position. With two outs,
Gabriella Taber stepped in and delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon — a sharp single to right field that brought Nelson home. The Vikings dugout erupted as Grand View took a 1-0 lead.
With three outs to secure the first win of the season, Waldorf went back to work. The Royals made put it in play but did not dent the Vikings' defense as it was a 1-2-3 inning.
Waldorf threw a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out nine on 87 pitches. Grand View totaled four hits on the afternoon, with Taber driving in the lone run. It wasn't flashy. It wasn't loud. It was gritty softball — timely hitting, disciplined pitching, and clean defense.
GAME NOTES
- Madeline Waldorf racked up 9 strikeouts, no runs earned, and one walk.
- Ella Taber scored the lone run for the Vikings after Nelson singled and Randell, and Cooley moved her to scoring position.
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.
