Softball Splits Home Doubleheader with Clarke

Marshall, Mo., (April 8, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College softball team hosted Clarke (Iowa), for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader Wednesday afternoon inside Cargill Field.  The Vikings fell in the opener, 7-1, but bounced back to win game two, 6-1.

The first game started with Clarke going in front in the top of the first, using two hits and one MVC error to make it a 3-0 score.  Missouri Valley put two runners on base in the bottom half, as Senior Centerfielder Jesykah Foster (Garden City, Kan.) singled, and Sophomore Designated Player Jordan Pasbrig (Moberly, Mo.) walked, but they were left stranded.  The Pride added three more runs in the top of the second to extend their lead, 6-0.  Both teams were held scoreless in the third and fourth inning, Freshman Pitcher Sienna Saggiani (Palos Verdes, Calif.) struck out one batter in the top of the fifth, and the team's sat in a 6-0 deficit.  Sophomore Third Baseman Keira Carvalho (Vista, Calif.) doubled to center field in the bottom half of the fifth, but she was unable to reach home.  Saggiani induced a line-out to Senior Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.), and a fly-out to end the at-bat in the top of the sixth, and Missouri Valley was taken down in order in the bottom half of the inning.  Clarke scored one run in the top of the seventh on two hits and used a MVC error to hold a 7-0 advantage.  The bottom half of the seventh featured a solo home run from Carvalho, but the Vikings were unable to produce more runs, and Missouri Valley fell, 7-1.

Carvalho finished with two hits, one run and one RBI.  Foster, Junior Catcher Camryn Dilla (West Des Moines, Iowa), and Senior Leftfielder Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) each had one hit.  Saggiani pitched 6.0 innings in relief, giving up eight hits with one strikeout.

Game two started with Junior Pitcher Chloe Shuff (Cypress, Ca.) facing the minimum in the top of the first, striking out one batter, and the Vikings were taken down in order in the bottom half of the inning.  Clarke opened the scoreboard in the top of the second, using one hit and an MVC error to take the lead, 1-0.  Missouri Valley got the run back in the bottom of the second, as Freshman First Baseman Gabriella White (Pittsburg, Kan.) led off with a double, but was thrown out at home, as Dilla reached first on an CU error and advanced to third.  Castruita drove home Dilla with a sac-fly to tie the teams at 1-1.  

Shuff took down Clarke in order in the top of the third, and induced two fly-outs in the top of the fourth to keep the score tied, 1-1.  Missouri Valley went in front with a long rally in the bottom half of the inning, as Sophomore Second Baseman Allison Loucas (Twin Lakes, Wis.) reached first on an error, White followed with a single, and Castruita brought both runners home with a single to shortstop.  Brickener came up next, and reached first on a fielder's choice, Carvalho singled to center field, and Senior Rightfielder Ella Dillon (Sumner, Wash.) singled to load the bases.  Later in the at-bat, Pasbrig walked allowing Brickner to score, while Freshman Designated Player Alex Whaley (Greenville, Fla.) was hit by the pitch and Carvalho came home, then Loucas earned a walk and brought home Dillon to hold a 6-1 advantage.  Both teams faced the minimum in the fifth inning, and Shuff induced a fly-out in the top of the sixth to keep the Vikings in the lead.  The Vikings put two runners on base in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Foster walked and Whaley was hit by the pitch, but they were unable to reach home safely.  Shuff ended the game in the top of the seventh, inducing a line-out to Castruita to secure the 6-1 victory.

Castruita led with one hit and three RBI's, while White and Carvalho each had two hits and one run scored, and Dillon finished with one hit and one run.  Shuff pitched a complete-game victory, giving up two hits with three strikeouts.

Missouri Valley moves to 5-29 on the season and 2-14 in the conference.  Clarke sits at 19-17 overall and 8-6 in the Heart.

Up next, the Viking softball team will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, for a Heart doubleheader, Saturday at 12 p.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.