Baseball Leads Early, Falls to Columbia on the Road

Columbia, Mo., (March 2, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College baseball team traveled to Columbia, Mo., for a 9-inning, non-conference game against Columbia (Mo.), Monday afternoon. The Vikings built up an early lead, but fell by a final score of 7-3.

The game opened a scoreless first inning, as Freshman Pitcher Drake Welch (Martinsburg, Mo.) worked around a single in the bottom of the first inning to leave the Columbia base runner stranded.  Missouri Valley scored the game's first runs in the top of the second inning, as Senior Rightfielder Colton Campbell (Aledo, Texas) reached on a one-out single, and Freshman Centerfielder Aidan Bearden (Kansas City, Mo.) knocked out a two-run home run to send the team in front, 2-0.  The Cougars threatened in the bottom half of the inning, putting two runners into scoring position with one out.  Welch got out of the jam by inducing a line-out to Freshman First Baseman Dalton Fritsche (Perryville, Mo.), then striking out the next batter as CC left its runner on-base to end the at-bat.  The Vikings produced another run in the top of the third, which started on a single from Junior Catcher Josh Hudson (Kansas City, Mo.).  Sophomore Pinch Runner Mykai Taylor (St. Louis, Mo.) went in to run, and eventually scored on a Cougar error to stretch the advantage out to 3-0.  Columbia tried to rally in the bottom of the inning, putting a pair of runners on-base.  Welch again held CC scoreless, stranding another two runners.  After a scoreless top of the fourth, the Cougars rallied in the bottom half, using four hits, one walk and one MVC error to bring home four runs and move in front, 4-3.

Missouri Valley was taken down in order in the fifth and sixth innings, while Freshman Pitcher JR Reed (Fort Worth, Texas) faced the minimum in the bottom of the sixth, striking out two batters.  Columbia tried to increase its advantage in the bottom of the seventh, as the Cougars had two runners move into scoring position with one out.  Sophomore Shortstop Devin Norwood (Pearl, Miss.) threw out the CC base runner at third base trying to score on a fielder's choice grounder, followed by another grounder hit to Sophomore Second Baseman Sota Suzuki (Aichi, Japan) to end the threat.  The Vikings were taken down in order in the top of the eighth, while Columbia added another three runs in the bottom half of the inning.  Missouri Valley was unable to put anyone on-base in the top of the ninth inning, and fell by a final score of 7-3.

Hudson had two hits, while Bearden finished with one hit, one run scored and two RBIs.  Campbell had one hit and one run scored.  Welch went three innings, giving up three hits with no earned runs and two strikeouts.

Missouri Valley falls to 0-15 on the season, while Columbia improves to 9-6. 

Up next, the Viking baseball team will open play in the Heart of America Athletic Conference with a four-game series against MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.).  Doubleheaders will be played March 13 and 14.

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.