Softball Splits Road Doubleheader at Culver-Stockton

Canton, Mo., (March 29, 2023)- The Missouri Valley College softball team traveled to Canton, Mo., for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against Culver-Stockton (Mo.).  The Vikings won the first game, 7-0, but fell in game two, 3-1.

The first game started with both teams taken down in order in their first inning at-bats.  Missouri Valley threatened in the top of the second, as both Junior Third Baseman Brianna Vela (Kingsburg, Calif.) and Sophomore Catcher Makayla Casjens (Galt, Calif.) singled, but neither were driven home.  Senior Pitcher Kim Horsten (Moergestel, The Netherlands) faced the minimum in the second inning, then took down CSC in order in the third, striking out one batter.  The Vikings tried to rally in the fourth, as Vela and Senior Rightfielder Chrisha Gray (Modesto, Calif.) both singled, but the runners were left stranded.  Culver-Stockton put two runners on-base in bottom of the fourth, but Junior Centerfielder Caitlyn Vela (Kingsburg, Calif.) threw out a runner at the plate to help get MVC out of the jam.

The top of the fifth featured a long at-bat for Missouri Valley, as Sophomore Leftfielder Hailey Simons (Pleasanton, Calif.) and Caitlyn Vela both singled to start things off.  After two outs, more production from the plate followed.  Freshman Designated Player Quinlynn Keller (Galt, Calif.) singled to bring home Simons, while a Brianna Vela triple scored two more base runners.  An error on a grounder from Gray allowed Brianna Vela to score and give the Vikings a 4-0 advantage.  Horsten again faced the minimum in the bottom of the fifth, which included Casjens throwing out a runner trying to steal second base, followed by an inning-ending strikeout.  The Vikings put the game out of reach in the sixth as Caitlyn Vela belted out two-run homer, and Keller singled to score Junior Second Baseman Avery Gifford (Kansas City, Mo.) to put the lead at 7-0.  Horsten worked out of a two-on and no-out jam in the bottom of the sixth with a strikeout and Casjens throwing out a runner trying to steal third.  After a scoreless top of the seventh, Horsten finished out her complete-game shutout with one more strikeout to end the 7-0 victory.

Brianna Vela led with three hits, one run and two RBI's, while Caitlyn Vela had two hits, two runs and two RBI's.  Keller finished with two hits, one run and two RBI's, and Simons added two hits and two runs.  Horsten pitched a complete-game shutout, giving up three hits with five strikeouts.

The second game opened with Culver-Stockton threatening early, using a pair of two-out singles to produce base runners, but Freshman Pitcher Chloe Shuff (Cypress, Calif.) got out of the jam without surrendering a run.  Shuff then took down CSC in order in the second inning, striking out one batter.  The Wildcats went in front in the bottom of the third inning, using one hit and one MVC error to produce one run and make it a 1-0 score.  The Vikings looked to rally in the top of the fourth, as Keller doubled, but a double-play ended the scoring threat.

Culver-Stockton added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring two runs on two hits and one error.  The Wildcats threatened again in the bottom of the fifth, putting a pair of runners on-base with one out.  Casjens helped MVC get out of the jam by picking off a runner at third base, as the deficit stayed at 3-0.  Missouri Valley tried to rally in the top of the seventh, which started on back-to-back singles from Keller and Brianna Vela.  Gray brought in one run on a sac-fly, and Missouri Valley had the game-tying run at the plate with one out.  However, the next two batters were taken down on a strikeout and pop out to end the comeback attempt as the team fell, 3-1.

Keller had two hits, while Brianna Vela and Simons each had one hit.  Gray drove in the only run.  The loss went to Shuff who pitched 3.1 innings, giving up five hits and one earned run with one strikeout.

The split moves Missouri Valley to 11-15 on the season and 5-1 in the Heart.  Culver-Stockton sits at 10-20 overall and 1-5 in the conference.

Up next, the Vikings host Peru State (Neb.) in a doubleheader, Saturday at 2 p.m., at Marshall (Mo.) High School.

Game 1 Box Score-Click Here

Game 2 Box Score-Click Here 

ABOUT MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.