DES MOINES, IA. – Grand View returned home on Thursday afternoon and delivered a pair of gritty performances against the Ravens of Benedictine College, sweeping the doubleheader in dramatic fashion. The Vikings leaned on dominant pitching in game one before erupting offensively in game two to secure the sweep.
GRAND VIEW 2, BENEDICTINE 1 (8 INNINGS)
Game one turned into a pitcher's duel early, with both teams struggling to find momentum at the plate. Benedictine broke through first in the sixth inning, using an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead.
The Vikings responded immediately. Chloe Kottlowski sparked the inning, and Grace Anderson delivered with a clutch RBI double to even the score at 1-1, shifting energy back to the home dugout.
From there, it became the Madeline Waldorf show.
Waldorf was dominant in the circle, going the distance in eight innings while allowing just four hits and one run. She struck out an impressive 14 batters and did not issue a walk, keeping the Ravens off balance all game long.
With the game deadlocked in the eighth, Elle Nelsen stepped up in a big moment. On the first pitch she saw, Nelson launched a walk-off home run, lifting the Vikings to a 2-1 victory and igniting the home crowd.
Grand View tallied six hits in the opener, with Kottlowski leading the way with two. Anderson and Nelsen each drove in a run, with Nelson's proving to be the difference.
GRAND VIEW 8, BENEDICTINE 4
Game two started in favor of the Ravens, who jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the first three innings, capitalizing on early opportunities.
The Vikings chipped away in the fourth. Reese Cooley got things started with an RBI double, and Ceara Swanson followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-2.
In the fifth, Caedence Risius delivered a game-tying solo home run, evening the score at 3-3 and setting the stage for a decisive sixth inning.
After Benedictine briefly reclaimed the lead in the top of the sixth, Grand View responded in a big way.
Chloe Kottlowski and Swanson reached base to ignite the rally, and Anderson came through with the biggest swing of the game — a three-RBI double off the left field fence to give the Vikings a 6-4 advantage. Moments later, Nevaeh Randall added insurance with a two-run home run to center, capping a five-run inning and putting the game out of reach at 8-4.
In the circle, Molly Breeding was outstanding in relief. After Risius went the first three innings, Breeding entered and shut down the Ravens, tossing four innings while allowing just one run and striking out seven to earn the win.
The Vikings pounded out 13 hits in the nightcap. Cooley led the charge with a perfect 3-for-3 performance and two runs scored, while Anderson (3 RBI) and Randall (2 RBI HR) provided the key run production.
It was resilience in game one. It was an offensive explosion in game two. It was a complete sweep at home for Grand View.
GAME NOTES
• Madeline Waldorf: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 14 K.
• Elle Nelsen delivered a walk-off home run in game one.
• Molly Breeding earned the win in game two with 7 strikeouts over 4.0 innings.
• Grand View totaled 19 hits across the doubleheader.
• Reese Cooley went 3-for-3 with two runs scored in game two.
• Grace Anderson recorded 4 RBI on the day, including a 3-RBI double in game two.
• Nevaeh Randall and Caedence Risius each homered in the second game.
UP NEXT
As conference play is ending, Grand View will look to build on their momentum tomorrow- Friday, April 24^th at Mount Mercy University. The first game of the series is scheduled for a 4pm start time.