Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 FULTON, MO – Grand View Softball split a road doubleheader against the William Woods Owls on Sunday, dominating Game 1 behind a late offensive surge before falling just short in a tightly contested Game 2. GAME 1 | GRAND VIEW 8, WILLIAM WOODS 0 (6 INNINGS) The Vikings leaned on dominant pitching and a sixth-inning explosion to secure a convincing shutout victory in the opener.
Both teams remained scoreless through the first three innings, with starting pitcher Madeline Waldorf setting the tone early. She kept the Owls off balance, allowing just two hits through five innings while striking out five.
Grand View broke through in the fourth when Alexia Jarrett delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring Elle Nelsen for the game's first run.
While the Vikings held a slim 1-0 lead entering the sixth, the offense erupted in commanding fashion. Caedence Risius jumpstarted the rally with a two-RBI single to extend the lead, and the momentum only grew from there. Reese Cooley followed with an RBI single, and Ceara Swanson added another run on a fielder's choice.
Chloe Kottlowski kept the line moving with an RBI single to center, before Nevaeh Randall capped the inning with a two-RBI single, pushing the advantage to 8-0.
Waldorf earned the win in the circle, tossing five shutout innings and allowing just two hits. Molly Breeding closed the door in the sixth, striking out two to secure the run-rule victory.
The Vikings tallied 11 hits in the game, led by Randall's three-hit performance and two RBIs, while Nelsen added two hits and two runs scored. GAME 2 | WILLIAM WOODS 3, GRAND VIEW 2 Game 2 proved to be a much tighter battle, as the Owls capitalized on early opportunities and held off a late push from the Vikings.
William Woods struck first in the opening inning, using patience at the plate and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to take a 1-0 lead. They added to their advantage in the third with an RBI single followed by a run-scoring double, extending the lead to 3-0.
Grand View struggled to find offensive rhythm against a strong outing from the Owls' pitcher, who limited the Vikings to just three hits while striking out nine.
Despite the deficit, the Vikings refused to go quietly. In the seventh, Gabriella Taber reached base to spark the rally, and Alexia Jarrett delivered with an RBI double to put Grand View on the board. Reese Cooley followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one.
With momentum building, the Vikings threatened to complete the comeback, but the Owls were able to record the final out and secure the 3-2 win.
Claire Leinen took the loss after allowing three runs in the first three innings, while Macy Blomgren provided strong relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings and striking out five. GAME NOTES
• Nevaeh Randall led Game 1 with three hits and two RBIs.
• Elle Nelsen recorded two hits and scored twice in the opener.
• The Vikings combined for 14 hits across the doubleheader.
• Grand View pitching held William Woods scoreless in 9 of 12 innings on the day.
• Macy Blomgren struck out five in 3.2 innings of scoreless relief in Game 2.
• Alexia Jarrett accounted for one of just three hits in Game 2 with an RBI double. UP NEXT
Grand View continues conference play, this time at home on Saturday, March 28^th against William Penn. Game one is set to start at 1 PM.