PARKVILLE, MO. – Grand View hit the road for a weekday doubleheader against the Pirates of Park University, looking to continue building momentum as the season rolls on. Behind dominant pitching and explosive middle innings, the Vikings rose to the occasion, sweeping the twin bill in convincing fashion.
GRAND VIEW 7, PARK 2
The Pirates struck first, plating a run in the third on an RBI single and adding another in the fourth on a passed ball to take a 2-0 lead. Early on, Grand View struggled to find its rhythm at the plate while Park capitalized on limited opportunities.
Madeline Waldorf got the start in the circle and quickly settled in after the early runs. Despite the deficit, she kept the Vikings within striking distance, limiting the Pirates to just three hits across the game.
Grand View's breakthrough came in the sixth inning.
Chloe Kottlowski sparked the rally, and Alexia Jarrett delivered in a big moment, ripping a double down the right field line to score Nevaeh Randall and Elle Nelsen, tying the game at 2-2. Moments later, Caedence Risius gave the Vikings the lead for good, blasting a two-run home run to left field to make it 4-2.
The inning didn't stop there.
Ceara Swanson added to the surge with an RBI single to bring home Reese Cooley, capping a five-run frame and flipping the momentum entirely in Grand View's favor.
The Vikings added insurance in the seventh, as Cooley drove in two more runs to extend the lead to 7-2.
From there, Waldorf took over. The right-hander was dominant down the stretch, finishing a complete game while allowing just one earned run. She recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts, overpowering the Pirates lineup and sealing the victory.
Grand View totaled nine hits in the opener, with Risius leading the charge with a home run and two RBIs. Jarrett added a key two-RBI double, while Randall recorded two hits and scored twice.
It was a tale of patience and timely execution, as the Vikings erupted late to take control.
GRAND VIEW 7, PARK 1
Game two followed a different script, as Grand View wasted no time taking command.
In the third inning, the Vikings delivered the game's biggest swing. With the bases loaded, Caedence Risius launched a towering drive down the left field line for a grand slam — a ball that was nearly brought back by the left fielder at the wall — giving Grand View a 4-0 advantage.
The Vikings continued to apply pressure throughout the game, racking up 15 hits in a balanced offensive effort.
In the sixth inning, Grand View added to its lead. Gabriella Taber worked a bases-loaded walk to bring in a run, and Peyton Naranjo followed with a clutch two-RBI single down the right field line to extend the lead to 7-0.
In the circle, Risius delivered a strong performance, going 4.1 scoreless innings while striking out five to earn the win. Claire Leinen and Molly Breeding combined in relief to close out the game, allowing just one unearned run.
Offensively, the Vikings were firing on all cylinders. Risius led the way with three hits and four RBIs, highlighted by her grand slam. Naranjo was perfect at the plate with three hits and two RBIs, while Jarrett added three hits of her own.
Grand View's combination of power, depth, and pitching proved too much for the Pirates, completing the sweep in dominant fashion.
It was consistency. It was power. It was a complete team performance from start to finish.
GAME NOTES
• Madeline Waldorf recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts in game one.
• Caedence Risius hit two home runs on the day, including a grand slam in game two.
• Grand View outscored Park 14-3 across the doubleheader.
• The Vikings tallied 24 hits over the two games.
• Peyton Naranjo went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs in game two.
• Alexia Jarrett recorded four hits on the day.
UP NEXT
Grand View will look to stay hot as the Vikings continue conference play in their next outing at home against #18 Central Methodist starting at 2PM on Friday, April 10th.
