Softball Suffers Losses at Mount Mercy in Doubleheader

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (March 29, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College softball team traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for a Saturday Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against Mount Mercy (Iowa).  The Vikings fell in the opener, 10-2, ten dropped game two, 5-2.

Game one started with Mount Mercy threatening in the bottom of the first inning, putting a pair of runners into scoring position with one out.  Freshman Pitcher Morgan Clubb (Oak Grove, Mo.) got out of the jam without surrendering any runs, as MMU left both runners stranded.  The Mustangs took advantage of another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the second inning, bringing home two runs on three hits to move in front, 2-0.  Clubb followed by facing the minimum in the bottom of the third, striking out one batter.  Missouri Valley produced from the plate in the top of the fourth, as Junior First Baseman Olivia Bettencourt (Murrieta, Calif.) led off with a single, followed by a single from Senior Designated Player Brittney Slocum (Clovis, Calif.).  The two were moved up a base on a sac-bunt from Junior Catcher Makayla Casjens (Galt, Calif.), then driven home on a double by Freshman Third Baseman Jordan Pasbrig (Moberly, Mo.) to tie the contest at 2-2.  The game stayed tied until the bottom of the fifth inning, as a two-out single by Mount Mercy brought two runners home to put the team back in front, 4-2.  After MVC was taken down in order in the top of the sixth, the Mustangs closed out the game with six runs in the bottom half of the inning.  Missouri Valley fell, 10-2.

Pasbrig had one hit and two RBIs, while Bettencourt and Slocum each totaled one hit and one run scored apiece.  Clubb went 4.1 innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs with one strikeout.

Missouri Valley opened game two with early production from the plate, as Loucas led the game off by reaching safely after being hit, while Bettencourt made it first after a Mustang error and Pasbrig worked a walk to load the bases with two outs.  Junior Leftfielder Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) followed with a single, driving home Loucas and Bettencourt to put the Viking in front, 2-0.  Mount Mercy got one of those runs back in the bottom half of the inning, but Sophomore Pitcher Chloe Shuff (Cypress, Calif.) struck out three batters to keep MVC on top, 2-1.  After a scoreless top of the second inning, MMU rallied in the bottom half, using two hits and one Viking error to score three runs and claim a 4-2 lead.  Shuff came back to take down Mount Mercy in order in both the third and fourth innings, but the team still trailed.  Missouri Valley was unable to cut down its deficit, and the Mustangs tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth.  Slocum led off the top of the seventh with a pinch hit single, but MVC could not move anyone into scoring position, and fell by a final score of 5-2.

Brickner had one hit and two RBIs, while Junior Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) and Slocum each added one hit.  Shuff pitched six innings, giving up six hits and three earned runs with four strikeouts.

Missouri Valley drops to 7-25 overall and 0-8 in the Heart.  Mount Mercy improves to 13-17 on the season and 3-5 in the conference.

Up next, the Viking softball team will host No. 6 Central Methodist (Mo.) in a Heart doubleheader, Tuesday at 2 p.m., at Lyon Bowl.

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.