Softball Falls to William Penn in Home Doubleheader

Marshall, Mo., (Mar. 22, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College softball team hosted William Penn (Iowa), for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader, Saturday afternoon at Lyon Bowl. The Vikings fell in both games of the doubleheader.

Game one started with both teams unable to create from the plate in the first and second inning. Sophomore Pitcher Chloe Shuff (Cypress, Calif.) struck one batter and induced two ground outs in the bottom of the first inning. William Penn eventually opened the scoreboard in the top of the third, using three hits and two MVC errors to produce two runs and hold a 2-0 lead. Missouri Valley was taken down in order in the bottom half of the third, and Shuff faced the minimum in the top of the fourth, striking out the final batter of the inning. After a scoreless fifth for both teams, William Penn added to its advantage in the top of the sixth as they scored two runs on three hits to make it a 4-0 score. The Statesmen increased their lead in the seventh by producing four runs on three hits and three MVC errors to hold an 8-0 advantage. The Vikings were unable to produce any runs in the bottom half of the seventh, and fell by a final score of 8-0.

Shuff picked up the loss, going 5.0 innings, giving up two runs with five hits and four strikeouts.

The second game opened with a scoreless first inning for both teams. William Penn went in front in the top of the second, using a two-run homer to make it a 2-0 score. Junior Pitcher Kyleigh Villarreal (Fenton, Mo.) faced the minimum in the third and fourth inning, striking out one batter and inducing two fly-outs. Missouri Valley threatened in the bottom of the fifth, as Junior Leftfielder Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) and Junior Centerfielder Jena Emerson (Live Oak, Calif.) both singled, but the two were left stranded. After a scoreless sixth inning for both teams, the Statesmen put together a long rally in the top of the seventh, using three hits and three MVC errors to produce five runs and hold a 7-0 advantage. Sophomore Catcher Quinlynn Keller (Galt, Calif.) and Brickner both singled in the bottom of the seventh, but they were unable to reach home safely. The Vikings were unable to score any runs, and fell, 7-0.

Brickner finished with two hits, while Junior Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.), Keller and Emerson had one hit each. Villarreal went 6.2 innings, giving up three earned runs with one strikeout.

The pair of losses drops Missouri Valley to 7-19 and 0-4 in the Heart, while William Penn improves to 18-8 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

Up next, the Vikings softball team will host Cottey (Mo.) for a non-conference doubleheader, March 25, starting at 1 p.m., at Lyon Bowl.

Game 1 Box Score - Click Here

Game 2 Box Score - Click Here

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.