Softball Drops Pair of Non-Conference Games to Cottey

Marshall, Mo., (Mar. 25, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College softball team hosted Cottey (Mo.) Tuesday afternoon at Lyon Bowl in a non-conference doubleheader. The Vikings fell in a close game in the opener, 4-3, followed by a 7-1 defeat in game two.

Game one started with Freshman Pitcher Morgan Clubb (Oak Grove, Mo.) facing the minimum in the top of the first inning. Missouri Valley went in front in the bottom half, as Junior Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) hit a solo home run to make it a 1-0 score. Cottey answered back using four hits to produce three runs to go on top in the second inning, 3-1. After a scoreless inning for the Comets, the Vikings tied the game in the bottom of the third, as Castruita tripled and then was thrown out at home but allowed Freshman Second Baseman Allison Loucas (Twin Lakes, Wisc.) to reach first on a fielder's choice, who then scored on a two-run homer from Junior First Baseman Olivia Bettencourt (Murrieta, Calif.), 3-3. The game stayed tied through the next three innings, as Clubb struck out two batters and induced five fly-outs to keep it a 3-3 score. However, Cottey eventually took the lead in the top of the seventh, using two hits to score one run and hold a 4-3 advantage. Missouri Valley tried to create late in the game, as Sophomore Centerfielder Jena Emerson (Live Oak, Calif.) singled, but she was unable to reach home safely and the Vikings fell, 4-3.

Castruita led with two hits, one scored run and one RBI. Bettencourt followed with one hit, one run and two RBI's, while Emerson finished with two hits. Clubb picked up the loss, going 6.0 innings, giving up six hits with three earned runs and two strikeouts.  

The second game opened with Junior Pitcher Kyleigh Villarreal (Fenton, Mo.) striking out two batters in the first inning. Missouri Valley produced from the plate in the bottom of the first, as Catruita reached first on a Cottey's error, Loucas doubled to center field, and Bettencourt brought a runner home on a sac-fly making it a 1-0 score. After a scoreless second inning for both teams, the Comets used three hits to score three runs to put the team in front in the top of the third, 3-1. Missouri Valley was taken down in order in the bottom half, and Cottey scored one run on two hits in the fourth to hold a 4-1 advantage. The Vikings tried to put together a rally in the bottom of the fourth, as Bettencourt, Sophomore Designated Player Quinlynn Keller (Galt, Calif.) and Junior Catcher Makayla Casjens (Galt, Calif.) each had a single loading the bases with one out, but the runners were left stranded. The Comets continued to increase their lead in the fifth inning, bringing home one run on two MVC errors to make it 5-1. After a scoreless bottom of fifth for the Vikings, Cottey produced one run on one hit in the top of the sixth, and then added another run in the seventh inning to hold a 7-1 advantage. Missouri Valley was unable to produce any more runs in the bottom of the seventh, and fell by a final score of 7-1.

Bettencourt finished with one hit and one RBI. Castruita had one hit and one scored run, and Junior Leftfielder Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) added two hits. Villareal went 3.2 innings, giving up six hits and four earned runs with five strikeouts.

The pair of losses drops Missouri Valley to 7-21 overall, while Cottey (Mo.) improves to 12-12 on the season.

Up next, the Vikings softball team will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader with Mount Mercy (Iowa), Saturday, starting at 1 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.