NORWALK, IA. – Grand View played at "home" on Wednesday afternoon, hosting MidAmerica Nazarene University at McAninch Sports Complex in Norwalk after weather forced a location change. Facing the Pioneers, the Vikings showed resilience and firepower, sweeping the doubleheader with a pair of wins, 6-5 and 9-1.
GRAND VIEW 6, MIDAMERICA NAZARENE 5 (10 INNINGS)
Game one turned into a battle of patience and persistence, with the Vikings delivering late when it mattered most.
MidAmerica Nazarene struck first, plating three runs in the third inning behind timely hitting and capitalizing on early opportunities to take a 3-0 lead.
Grand View starter Madeline Waldorf worked through the early damage, while Molly Breeding entered in relief and kept the Vikings within striking distance. Breeding was outstanding, tossing seven innings and allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out seven.
The breakthrough finally came in the seventh. Chloe Kottlowski sparked the rally, and the Vikings loaded the bases. Caedence Risius drew a walk to bring in the first run, and moments later Nevaeh Randall reached on an error that plated two more, tying the game at 3-3 and forcing extra innings.
The Pioneers regained the lead in the 10th with a pair of runs, putting Grand View on the brink.
But the Vikings answered.
Peyton Naranjo came around to score on a play initiated by Elle Nelsen, cutting the deficit to one. Risius delivered again, reaching on an error to bring home the tying run. With the pressure mounting, Randall lifted a ball that allowed Nelsen to score the winning run, completing the comeback and sealing a 6-5 victory.
Grand View totaled eight hits, with Grace Anderson leading the way with three. Nelsen and Kottlowski each scored twice, while Risius and Randall combined for four RBIs in the win.
It was grit. It was timely execution. It was a comeback effort that set the tone for the day.
GRAND VIEW 9, MIDAMERICA NAZARENE 1 (5 INNINGS)
Game two told a different story, as the Vikings wasted no time taking control.
Grand View erupted for four runs in the opening inning. Nelson scored the first run, and the Vikings capitalized on disciplined at-bats, drawing walks and taking advantage of hit-by-pitches to build an early cushion. Peyton Naranjo capped the inning with an RBI single to make it 4-0.
The Vikings added two more in the fourth, highlighted by an RBI double from Risius and continued pressure on the Pioneer defense.
In the fifth, Nelsen delivered the biggest swing of the game, launching a three-run home run to extend the lead to 9-1 and put the game out of reach.
In the circle, Risius was dominant. She tossed four shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out six. Macy Blomgren closed out the game in relief as the Vikings secured the run-rule victory.
Nelsen led the offense with a three-RBI performance, while Risius contributed both in the circle and at the plate. The Vikings made the most of their opportunities, scoring nine runs on seven hits.
It was aggressive. It was efficient. It was a complete performance to finish the sweep.
GAME NOTES
• Molly Breeding earned the game one win with 7.0 strong innings and 7 strikeouts.
• Caedence Risius picked up the game two win, striking out six over four shutout innings.
• Elle Nelsen combined for four hits, five runs, and four RBIs on the day, including a three-run home run.
• Grace Anderson recorded three hits in game one and scored multiple runs across the doubleheader.
• Grand View capitalized on Pioneer errors, scoring multiple unearned runs in both games.
UP NEXT
Grand View will look to carry the momentum forward as the Vikings play Benedictine College at home for senior day on April 18^th. First pitch is set to start at 1PM.