Baseball Opens Road Series at Benedictine

Atchison, Kan., (March 21, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College baseball team traveled to Atchison, Kan., Saturday afternoon, to open a Heart of America Athletic Conference series against Benedictine (Kan.).  The Vikings fell in both games.

Missouri Valley went in front early in the first game, as Sophomore Second Baseman Sota Suzuki (Aichi, Japan) led off with a single, then came home later in the inning on a single from Junior Designated Hitter Masayoshi Hattori (Tokyo, Japan).  The Vikings eventually loaded the bases with one out in the at-bat, but left all three runners stranded to hold a 1-0 lead.  Benedictine got that run back in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 1-1.  The top of the second inning featured another run scored for MVC as a grounder from Senior Rightfielder Colton Campbell (Aledo, Texas) brought home Sophomore Shortstop Bradley Johnson (Lawrenceburg, Ky.) to push the team back on top, 2-1.  The Ravens responded with another run in the bottom of the inning, off a solo homer to put the teams back into a tie at 2-2.  Sophomore Pitcher Phillip Rushman (Lincoln, Neb.) took down BC in order in the third inning to help keep the teams tied.  After a scoreless top of the fourth inning, Benedictine plated two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the team's first lead of the game, at 4-2.  The Ravens added to their advantage in the bottom of the fifth, using seven hits to produce seven runs to make it an 11-2 score.  Missouri Valley produced just one more base runner in the final two innings and fell, 11-2.

Suzuki led with three hits and one run.  Hattori added one hit and one RBI, while Freshman Catcher Gabe Duncan St. Peters, Mo.) and Freshman Third Baseman Brennan Nickerson (St. Louis, Mo.) each added one hit.

Game two began with Benedictine jumping out to an early advantage, with four runs in the first inning, then adding another two runs in the bottom of the second.  Missouri Valley responded in the top of the third, which started on a walk from Johnson and a single from Freshman First Baseman Dalton Fritsche (Perryville, Mo.).  Suzuki reached on an error that allowed Johnson to score, followed by a two-run double from Campbell to cut the MVC deficit down to 6-3.  Sophomore Pitcher Lukas Garza (Littleton, Colo.) took down BC in order in the bottom of the third, striking out one batter.  The next stretch of play featured one more run scored by BC, coming in the bottom of the fourth.  Missouri Valley tried to work back in the top of the sixth, as Freshman Centerfielder Aidan Bearden (Kansas City, Mo.) walked and Hattori singled to open the at-bat.  Senior Leftfielder Shumpei Kaneko (Saitama, Japan) scored Bearden on a sac-fly, as the Vikings trailed, 7-4.    The bottom half of the inning featured more production from the plate for Benedictine, scoring three more runs.  Missouri Valley was unable to rally in the top of the seventh, and fell, 10-4.

Campbell had one hit and two RBIs, while Suziki finished with one run and one RBI.  Fritsche added one hit and one run scored, and Hattori and Junior Pinch Hitter Alex Alton (Jacksonville, Mo.) had one hit apiece.

The pair of losses drop Missouri Valley to 2-20 on the season and 2-4 in the Heart.  Benedictine improves to 14-8 overall and 5-1 in the conference.

Up next, the two teams will finish their series with a doubleheader, Sunday at 12 p.m., in Atchison, Kan.

Game 1 Box Score-Click Here

Game 2 Box Score-Click Here

About Missouri Valley College

Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.