Softball Falls to Clarke in Road Doubleheader

Dubuque, Iowa, (March 28, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College softball team traveled to Dubuque, Iowa, for a Friday afternoon Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against Clarke (Iowa).  The Vikings dropped the opening game, 3-0, and fell in a close second game, 3-0.

The first game opened with Missouri Valley threatening in the top of the first inning, as Freshman Second Baseman Allison Loucas (Twin Lakes, Wisc.) doubled, but was eventually left stranded on-base.  Clarke followed with production from the plate, using one hit and one MVC error to generate one run, and move in front, 1-0.  Sophomore Pitcher Chloe Shuff (Cypress, Calif.) got out of the inning with a strikeout to strand one baserunner.  The Pride put its leadoff batter on-base, but Shuff worked a strikeout, and Junior Catcher Makayla Casjens (Galt, Calif.) threw out the runner for a double-play to help keep the MVC deficit at one run.  Another double-play got the Vikings out of the bottom of the third, as a fielder's choice grounder was hit to Casjens, who forced a runner out at second base.  Junior Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) then threw out a runner trying to reach home, and the score stayed at 1-0.  A third-straight bottom half of the inning double-play followed in the fourth, as Castruita at shortstop started the play to help end a CU threat.  Clarke responded with three hits and one run in the fifth, then tacked on another run in the sixth.  Missouri Valley was unable to put anyone on-base in the top of the seventh inning, and fell, 3-0.

Loucas had one hit, while Shuff pitched six innings, giving up nine hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts.

Game two started with Junior Pitcher Kyleigh Villarreal (Fenton, Mo.) striking out two batters in the first inning to keep the Pride scoreless.  Missouri Valley threatened in the top of the second, as Freshman Third Baseman Jordan Pasbrig (Moberly, Mo.) walked, and Junior Centerfielder Jesykah Foster (Garden City, Kan.) reached first on a CU error, but the two were left stranded. Both teams were held scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings, as Villarreal faced the minimum in the three innings, striking out five batters. Missouri Valley tried to create offense in the top of the fifth, as Junior Rightfielder Ella Dillon (Sumner, Wash.) and Junior First Baseman Olivia Bettencourt (Murrieta, Calif.) both singled up the middle, but they were unable to reach home safely.  Clarke eventually opened the scoreboard in the fifth, using a solo homer to take the lead, 1-0. After a scoreless sixth inning for the Vikings, the Pride produced from the plate in the bottom half of the sixth, as they scored two runs on three hits to hold a 3-0 advantage.  Missouri Valley tried to create late in the game, as Loucas and Bettencourt both singled, but the two were left stranded. The Vikings were unable to produce any runs in the top of the seventh, and fell by a final score of 3-0.

Bettencourt finished with two hits, while Loucas, Dillon and Junior Leftfielder Jena Emerson (Live Oak, Calif.) had one hit each. Villarreal went 5.1 innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs with eight strikeouts.

The pair of losses drops Missouri Valley to 7-23 on the season and 0-6 in the Heart, while Clarke improves to 8-10 overall and 2-4 in the conference.

Up next, the Vikings softball team will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader with Mount Mercy (Iowa), Saturday, starting at 11 a.m.

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.