Softball Tops MidAmerica Nazarene, Advance in Conference Tournament

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (May 4, 2024)- The No. 7 seed Missouri Valley College softball team continued play at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament Saturday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  The Vikings opened with a 5-0 loss to No. 3 seed Benedictine (Kan.), but bounce back to earn a shutout win over No. 4 seed MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), 7-0.

The Benedictine game opened with both teams taken down in order in the first inning.  Senior Pitcher Chloe Cherrelee Miles (Centurion, South Africa) struck out one batter in the bottom of the first.  Missouri Valley had the game's first base runner, as Junior Third Baseman Brianna Vela (Kingsburg, Calif.) doubled with one out, and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but was left stranded.  The Ravens followed with two hits and eventually created one run to move in front, 1-0.  The Vikings threatened in the top of the third as Sophomore Rightfielder Jena Emerson (Live Oak, Calif.) led off with a double, followed by a single from Junior Centerfielder Caitlyn Vela (Kingsburg, Calif.).  Both runners eventually moved into scoring position, but were left stranded to end the at-bat.  Benedictine put its lead off batter on-base in the bottom of the fourth, and the runner was caught stealing at second base by Sophomore Catcher Makayla Casjens (Galt, Calif.) to help keep MVC in a 1-0 deficit.  The Ravens strung together a rally in the bottom of the fifth, using four hits to produce three runs and stretch their advantage to 4-0.  Missouri Valley put their first three batters on-base in the top of the sixth, as Caitlyn Vela and Junior Second Baseman Avery Gifford (Kansas City, Mo.) singled, while Sophomore Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) walked.  With the tying run at the plate and no outs, MVC was unable to bring any of the runners home, and stranded all three.  Benedictine added one more run in the bottom half, and Missouri Valley was taken down in order in the top of the seventh as the game ended with a 5-0 defeat for the Vikings.

Caitlyn Vela finished with two hits, while Gifford, Brianna Vela and Emerson each had one hit.  Miles pitched 4.2 innings with seven hits, four earned runs and two strikeouts.

Missouri Valley threatened to open play in the elimination game against MidAmerica Nazarene, as both Gifford and Brianna Vela earned walks, but the two were left stranded.  Senior Pitcher Kim Horsten (Moergestel, The Netherlands) followed by taking down MNU in order in the bottom half of the inning.  The Vikings put together a rally in the second inning, as Sophomore Leftfielder Hailey Simons (Pleasanton, Calif.) singled to bring home Sophomore First Baseman Stella Cashin (Alameda, Calif.).  Later in the at-bat, Gifford scored Simons on a single to help give the team a 2-0 advantage.  Missouri Valley added another run in the top of the third, as Brianna Vela doubled, and came home on a double from Casjens to make it a 3-0 score.  Horsten took down the Pioneers in order for the third-straight inning, striking out a pair.  

The lead grew once again in the fourth, which started on an Emerson leadoff single.  Simons reached on an error, and Caitlyn Vela singled to load the bases.  Gifford brought home one run on an infield single, while a fielder's choice grounder from Brianna Vela allowed Caitlyn Vela to score.  Casjens capped the inning with an RBI single to center field, and MVC held a 6-0 lead.  MidAmerica Nazarene produced its first base runner, with a walk, but the runner was left stranded in the bottom half.  The top of the fifth featured two-out offense for MVC, as Caitlyn Vela earned a walk, then stole second base, and advanced to third on a passed ball.  Gifford then singled to score Vela and put the gap at 7-0.  Horsten's no-hit bid was broken up in the fifth inning, but the shutout was preserved as the next two batters hit fielder's choice grounders and the final batter struck out.  The two teams were held scoreless in the sixth inning, and the Vikings were unable to increase their lead in the top of the seventh.  Horsten closed out a complete-game shutout by taking down MNU in order in the bottom of the seventh to seal the 7-0 victory, and allow the team to advance in the tournament.

Gifford finished with three hits, one run and three RBI's, while Casjens added three hits and two RBI's.  Caitlyn Vela had two hits and two runs scored, and both Simons and Brianna Vela totaled one hit, one run and one RBI each.  Horsten pitched a complete-game shutout, giving up one one hit and striking out three batters.

Missouri Valley moves to 20-27 on the season after the pair of games, Saturday.

Up next, Missouri Valley plays another elimination game, Sunday at 9:30 a.m., in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, against No. 5 seed Grand View (Iowa).  The two teams split their regular season doubleheader in Des Moines, Iowa, back on April 5.  Grand View won the first game, 9-0, followed by a 3-2 for Missouri Valley.  The winner will advance to play another elimination game, Sunday at 12 p.m.

Benedictine Box Score-Click Here

MidAmerica Nazarene 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.