DAVENPORT, IA – Grand View Softball made the trip east and came home with two big wins, sweeping St. Ambrose University in a high-scoring doubleheader. The Vikings rallied from an early deficit to take Game 1 before erupting offensively in Game 2, combining for 26 runs across the two contests. GAME 1 | GRAND VIEW 9, ST. AMBROSE 6 The Fighting Bees struck first in the opening inning, launching a two-run homer before capitalizing on a Viking error to extend the lead to 3-0 before Grand View recorded an out at the plate.
The Vikings answered in the second inning when Alexia Jarrett blasted a solo home run to center field, trimming the deficit to two.
St. Ambrose added to its lead in the third, using a double and another Viking error to score two unearned runs and stretch the advantage to 5-1.
Grand View began chipping away in the fourth inning. Jarrett reached earlier in the frame before Chloe Kottlowski lined an RBI double to center field, bringing the Vikings within three.
The turning point came in the fifth inning. Grace Anderson and Elle Nelsen ignited the rally, setting the stage for Gabriella Taber, who ripped a two-RBI single to center field to cut the deficit to one. Moments later, Nevaeh Randall delivered the biggest swing of the inning, driving a two-run double to center to give the Vikings their first lead of the game at 6-5.
St. Ambrose briefly tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double, but Grand View responded again in the sixth.
Caedence Risius launched a two-run home run to restore the Viking lead, and the offense added another insurance run later in the inning when Bianca Prickett reached on a fielding error that allowed Gabriella Taber to score.
In the circle, Molly Breeding shut the door in relief. Entering after three innings, she tossed four strong frames, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out five to earn the victory.
Grand View totaled 12 hits in the opener, led by Alexia Jarrett and Nevaeh Randall with two hits each. GAME 2 | GRAND VIEW 17, ST. AMBROSE 4 The Viking offense carried its momentum into Game 2 and wasted little time getting started.
Elle Nelsen sparked the first-inning rally before Gabriella Taber doubled to left field to score the opening run. Alexia Jarrett followed immediately with an RBI double of her own, giving Grand View an early 2-0 advantage.
The Vikings extended the lead in the second inning with aggressive baserunning and pressure at the plate. Two runs scored during a fielder's choice play and a St. Ambrose error before Taber added a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.
Caedence Risius added another run in the third with an RBI double, pushing the Viking lead to 5-1.
St. Ambrose managed to chip away with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, trimming the margin to 6-4. However, the Vikings responded with their biggest offensive explosion of the day in the sixth.
Grand View erupted for 10 runs in the inning, stringing together a barrage of hits. RBI singles from Alexia Jarrett, Nevaeh Randall, Bethany Button, Elle Nelsen, and Peyton Naranjo kept the line moving before Jarrett delivered the exclamation point—a three-run home run to cap the inning and extend the lead to 16-4.
Jarrett finished the game with five RBIs and three hits, leading a Viking lineup that produced 17 hits.
Claire Leinen earned the win in the circle, pitching four innings while allowing just two runs (one earned). Macy Blomgren closed out the game, striking out three over two innings. GAME NOTES
• Alexia Jarrett powered the offense with two home runs and six RBIs across the doubleheader.
• Nevaeh Randall recorded five hits and three RBIs on the day.
• Elle Nelsen went 5-for-8 with four runs scored and three stolen bases.
• Grand View collected 29 hits across the two games.
• The Vikings stole six bases in Game 2.
• Four different Vikings recorded multiple hits in the nightcap.
UP NEXT
The Vikings start conference tomorrow Friday, March 13^th against Peru State in Norwalk, IA at 1 & 3 PM CT. The Vikings will be the away team in tomorrow's matchup.