Softball Splits Home Doubleheader with Graceland on Senior Day

Marshall, Mo., (April 18, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College softball team hosted Graceland (Iowa), for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader on Senior Day, Saturday afternoon inside Cargill Field.  The Vikings fell in extra-innings in the first game, but bounced back to win game two with a three-run homer, 5-2, to split the doubleheader. 

Game one started with Junior Aaralynn Ranck (Marissa, Ill.) taking down the Yellowjackets in order in the top of the first.  Missouri Valley went in front in the bottom half of the first, as Senior Centerfielder Jesykah Foster (Garden City, Kan.) singled, stole second, and came home on a single from Freshman First Baseman Gabriella White (Pittsburg, Kan.) to take the lead, 1-0.  Ranck faced the minimum in the top of the second, striking out two batters to keep the Vikings ahead.  After a scoreless inning for Missouri Valley, Ranck induced two fly-outs in the top of the third to help MVC to stay on top, 1-0.  The bottom half featured a double from White, but she was left stranded.  Ranck followed by inducing another two fly-outs in the top of the fourth, and the Vikings were taken down in order in the bottom half of the inning.  Graceland put two runners on base in the top of the fifth, but Ranck worked around a two-out single to leave both runners stranded.  Foster singled to center field in the bottom of the fifth, but she was unable to reach home safely.  Both teams were held scoreless in the sixth, and the Yellowjackets eventually tied the game in the top of the seventh using a solo homer, 1-1.  Missouri Valley was unable to create from the plate in the bottom half of the inning, and Graceland put together a long rally in the top of the eighth, using three hits and one MVC error to hold a 6-1 advantage.  The Vikings went down in order in the bottom of the seventh, and fell by a final score of 6-1.

White led with three hits and one RBI.  Foster followed with two hits and one run, and Junior Catcher Camryn Dilla (West Des Moines, Iowa) had one hit. Ranck pitched 7.0 innings, giving up four hits and one earned run to go with four strikeouts.

The second game opened with Junior Pitcher Chloe Shuff (Cypress, Ca.) facing the minimum in the top of the first.  Missouri Valley took an early lead in the bottom half of the inning, as Foster singled, advanced to second on a GU error, moved to third on a wild pitch, and came home on a grounder from White to make it a 1-0 score.   The Vikings kept the Yellowjackets scoreless, as Shuff struck out three batters in the top of the second, and Missouri Valley created from the plate in the bottom half, as Sophomore Third Baseman Keira Carvalho (Vista, Calif.) led off with a double, and Senior Leftfielder Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) allowed Carvalho to reach home on a grounder to hold a 2-0 lead.  Both teams were held scoreless in the third and fourth innings, where Shuff struck out one batter, helping the Vikings to stay ahead.  Graceland put a runner on base in the top of the fifth, but they were unable to create from the plate.  Missouri Valley had two runners on base in the bottom of the fifth, as Senior Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) singled, and White walked, but they were left stranded.  After a scoreless sixth inning, the Yellowjackets used three hits to score two runs and tie the game in the top of the seventh, 2-2.  Missouri Valley answered back in the bottom half of the inning, as Castruista started the at-bat with a single, Foster walked, and White knocked out a three-run homer to finish out a 5-2 victory.

White led with one hit, one run and four RBIs, while Foster had one hit and two scored runs.  Carvalho and Castruita each finished with two hits and one run.  Shuff pitched a complete-game victory, giving up seven hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts.

Missouri Valley moves to 7-33 on the season and 4-18 in the conference.  Graceland sits at 8-34 overall and 3-17 in the Heart.

Up next, the Viking softball team will travel to Fayette, Mo., for a Heart doubleheader against Central Methodist, Tuesday beginning at 3 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.