Softball Splits Home Doubleheader Against UHSP

Marshall, Mo., (Mar. 1, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College softball team hosted University of Health Science and Pharmacy (Mo.) Saturday afternoon at Lyon Bowl in a non-conference doubleheader. The Vikings opened with a late rally to win the first game, 5-4, but fell in the second game, 10-1, to split the doubleheader.

Game one started with Missouri Valley going in front in the bottom of the first inning as Freshman Third Baseman Allison Loucas (Twin Lakes, Wisc.) hit a solo homer, 1-0. Junior Pitcher Kyleigh Villarreal (Fenton, Mo.) followed by taking down UHSP in order in the second inning, striking out one batter. After a scoreless inning for the Vikings, Health Sciences and Pharmacy went on a long run in the top of the third using three hits to produce four runs to take the lead, 4-1. Both teams were kept scoreless in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings as Freshman Pitcher Chloe Shuff (Cypress, Calif.) faced the minimum in the three innings, striking out two batters. 

After another scoreless inning for UHSP, the Vikings worked back into the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, which started with a single from First Baseman Addison Bartlett (Lawson, Mo.), followed by a double from Junior Catcher Makayla Casjens (Galt, Calif.). Junior Leftfielder Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) brought home a runner on a double, and Senior Leftfielder Audrey Short (St. Joseph, Ill.) singled to load the bases. Casjens scored as Loucas walked, and then Brickner also came home as Castruita walked. Later in the at-bat, Junior Shortstop Olivia Bettencourt (Murrieta, Calif.) hit a single to right field to bring Short home to close out the game and secure the 5-4 victory for Missouri Valley.

Loucas led with one homer, one run scored and two RBI's in the game, while Bettencourt had two hits and one RBI. Brickner totaled one hit, one run and one RBI. Short added two hits and one run, and both Casjens and Bartlett had one hit and one run scored. The win went to Shuff who pitched the final 4.1 innings in relief, giving up two hits with two strikeouts.

The second game started with a scoreless first inning, but Health Sciences and Pharmacy used three hits and one MVC error to produce four runs and hold a 4-0 lead. The Vikings threatened in the bottom of the second inning, as Bartlett singled and Senior Designated Player Brittney Slocum (Clovis, Calif.) walked, both advanced one base on a passed ball but the pair were left stranded to end the at-bat. UHSP scored two more runs on three hits in the top of the third extending their lead, 6-0. Missouri Valley got one run back in the bottom half, as Short singled to center field, stole second and third , and then scored on an error by the catcher to cut the deficit to 6-1. Health Sciences and Pharmacy added to its lead in the fourth, bringing home four runs on six hits and one MVC error to make it a 10-1 score. After a scoreless top of the fifth, the Vikings were unable to produce any more runs and the team fell, 10-1.

Bettencourt finished with one hit and one RBI, while Short had two hits and one run scored. Loucas, Castruita and Bartlett totaled one hit each. The loss went to Junior Pitcher Emily Greenfield (Sherwood, Park Alberta), who pitched 1.2 innings, giving up two hits and four earned runs and one strikeout.

The split moves Missouri Valley to 3-5 on the season, while UHSP sits at 2-2.

Up next, the Vikings softball team will host William Woods (Mo.) in a non-conference doubleheader, Sunday afternoon starting at 1 p.m., at Lyon Bowl.

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.