Softball Suffers Losses to Central Methodist on the Road

Fayette, Mo., (April 21, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College softball team traveled to Fayette, Mo., for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against No. 17 Central Methodist (Mo.) Tuesday evening.  The Vikings dropped both games, including a low-scoring first game, 2-1.

Game one opened with Central Methodist going in front at the start, using a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.  Junior Pitcher Aaralynn Ranck (Marissa, Ill.) bounced back in the bottom of the second, working out of a bases-loaded jam to induce an inning-ending groundout to Freshman First Baseman Gabriella White (Pittsburg, Kan.) as CMU left all three runners stranded.  Missouri Valley cut into its deficit in the top of the third, as Senior Rightfielder Ella Dillon (Sumner, Wash.) singled and Senior Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) walked, both with one out.  After a groundout advanced the two into scoring position, a wild pitch allowed Dillon to score, and the Vikings trailed, 2-1.  Ranck took down the Eagles in order in the bottom half of the third, then worked around a situation where Central Methodist had two runners on-base with one out to end the at-bat with both runners stranded. Leftfielder Senior Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) singled to open the top of the fifth, but could not advance another base, while Ranck got out of another jam in the bottom half of the fifth as the Eagles left two more runners on-base.  Missouri Valley was unable to produce another baserunner in the top of the sixth and seventh innings, and fell by a final score of 2-1.

Dillon had one hit and one run scored, and Brickner added one hit. Ranck went six innings, giving up six hits and two earned runs.

Missouri Valley threatened at the start of game two as Senior Centerfielder Jesykah Foster (Garden City, Kan.) led off with a single, then stole second base to move into scoring position, but was left stranded to end the at-bat.  Central Methodist moved out to an early lead, using four hits and one MVC error to bring home three runs and take a 3-0 lead.  The first two Viking batters reached safely to start the top of the second inning.  Sophomore Third Baseman Keira Carvalho (Vista, Calif.) was safe at first on an error and Brickner singled, but a double-play helped end the rally attempt for Missouri Valley.  The Eagles began to pull away from there, scoring four runs in the bottom of the second, then adding another three runs in the third.  Missouri Valley produced a pair of baserunners in the top of the third, as Sophomore Second Baseman Allison Loucas (Twin Lakes, Wisc.) doubled and Carvalho singled, but neither could make it home safely.  The Vikings fell by a final score of 10-0.

Foster, Loucas, Carvalho and Brickner each had one hit.

Missouri Valley drops to 7-35 overall and 4-20 in the Heart.  Central Methodist improves to 31-14 on the season and 17-7 in the conference.

Up next, the Viking softball team will play its final home contests of the season, hosting No. 8 Missouri Baptist in a Heart doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m., at Cargill Field.

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.