Baseball Closes Road Heart Series With Doubleheader at Benedictine

Atchison, Kan., (March 22, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College baseball team closed a weekend Heart of America Athletic Conference series in Atchison, Kan., against Benedictine (Kan.), Sunday afternoon.  The Vikings fell in both games of the doubleheader, by scores of 6-3 and 8-5.

Game one began with Benedictine producing the first run of the day, using a two-out error to score once and move in front, 1-0 in the first inning.  Missouri Valley threatened in the top of the second inning, which started on a single from Junior Designated Hitter Masayoshi Hattori (Tokyo, Japan).  Hattori eventually moved into scoring position, but was left stranded.  Junior Pitcher Kaiden Kelly (Sparta, Mo.) worked around an error and a single in the bottom half of the inning, as Freshman Catcher Gabe Duncan (St. Peter's, Mo.) threw out a base runner trying to steal third base, and Kelly worked a strikeout.  The Ravens followed by adding to their lead in the bottom of the third, plating two runs and pushing the score out to 3-0.  After a scoreless fourth inning, BC added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth, sending Missouri Valley into a 6-0 deficit.  The Vikings had two runners reach safely with two outs in the top of the sixth, as Senior Rightfielder Colton Campbell (Aledo, Texas) worked a walk, and Freshman Centerfielder Aiden Bearden (Kansas City, Mo.) singled, but the pair were left stranded.  Freshman Pitcher Justin Case (Fulton, Mo.) took down Benedictine in order in the bottom half of the inning, ending the outing with a strikeout.  Missouri Valley tried to rally in the top of the seventh with its best inning at the plate.  A single from Junior Leftfielder Alex Alton (Jacksonville, Mo.) brought home Freshman Pinch Runner Charles Bedosky (Kansas City, Mo.), while a grounder from Freshman First Baseman Dalton Fritsche (Perryville, Mo.) scored Alton later in the at-bat.  The final run for MVC was produced on a Sophomore Shortstop Bradley Johnson (Lawrenceburg, Ky.) grounder that scored Freshman Third Baseman Brennan Nickerson (St. Louis, Mo.).  The rally fell short, as Missouri Valley lost by a 6-3 final score.

Nickerson had two hits and one run scored, while Alton added one hit, one run and one RBI.  Bearden, Hattori and Duncan each added one hit apiece.  

The second game of the doubleheader began with Benedictine building an early lead, scoring three runs on three hits in the bottom of the first inning.  Missouri Valley answered with a long rally in the top of the second inning, bringing eight batters to the plate.  The at-bat started on a single from Junior Catcher Josh Hudson (Kansas City, Mo.), who was replaced by Junior Pinch Runner Zachary Wilson (Copperscover, Texas).  Two batters later, Nickerson brought Wilson home on a single for the first MVC run of the game.  Later, Sophomore Second Baseman Sota Suzuki (Aichi, Japan) drove in Nickerson with a single, which loaded the bases with one out.  Bearden recorded a three-RBI double to close the rally, and give the Vikings a 5-3 lead.  The Ravens cut into their deficit with one run in the bottom half or the inning, making it a 5-4 score.  Junior Pitcher Rowan Robinson (Calgary, Alberta) got out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the third, inducing a groundout to Johnson at short to leave three runners stranded.  Benedictine produced two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to move back in front, 6-5.  After a scoreless top of the sixth inning for MVC, the Ravens added two more runs in their at-bat to stretch out their advantage.  Missouri Valley had one runner reach safely in the top of the seventh, as Duncan made it on-base after a BC error, but the Vikings were unable to work back into the game and fell by a final score of 8-5.

Suzuki had two hits, one run and one RBI, while Sophomore First Baseman Wyatt Kemper (Ste. Genevieve, Mo.) had two hits and one run.  Hudson added two hits and Bearden totaled one hit and three RBIs.  Nickerson finished with one hit, one run scored and one RBI.

The pair of losses drop Missouri Valley to 2-22 overall and 2-6 in the Heart.  Benedictine improves to 16-8 on the season and 7-1 in the conference.

Up next, the Viking baseball team will host Mount Mercy (Iowa) in a doubleheader, Tuesday beginning at 12 p.m., inside Wood & Huston Field at Indian Foothills Park.

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.