Softball Plays Road Doubleheader at Graceland

Lamoni, Iowa, (April 8, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College softball team traveled to Lamoni, Iowa for a Tuesday Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against Graceland (Iowa).  The Vikings fell in both games.

Game two started with Missouri Valley moving in front early, as Senior Rightfielder Audrey Short (St. Joseph, Ill.) opened the top of the first inning with a single, and eventually scored on a single from Junior First Baseman Olivia Bettencourt (Murrieta, Calif.).  Junior Catcher Makayla Casjens (Galt, Calif.) walked to put two runners on-base with one out, but the pair were left stranded and MVC held a 1-0 lead.  Graceland countered in the bottom half of the inning with four hits and three runs scored to move ahead, 3-1.  The Yellowjackets tacked on another run in the bottom of the second inning, but Freshman Pitcher Morgan Clubb (Oak Grove, Mo.) got out of the jam by stranding two runners as the deficit sat at 4-1.  The Vikings threatened in the top of the third as Freshman Second Baseman Allison Loucas (Twin Lakes, Wisc.) and Casjens both singled, but the pair were left on-base.  Clubb struck out one in the third, then faced the minimum in the fourth with one strikeout.  Graceland threatened in the bottom of the fifth, putting two runners on-base with one out.  The threat ended on a double-play, as Junior Centerfielder Jesykah Foster (Garden City, Kan.) caught a fly-ball, then threw out the runner at third trying to score at home plate.  The Vikings were unable to rally late in the game, and eventually fell by a final score of 4-1.

Loucas, Junior Leftfielder Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) and Junior Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) each had two hits.  Short added one hit and one run scored, while Bettencourt had one hit and one RBI.  Clubb pitched six innings, giving up eight hits and four earned runs with three strikeouts.

In game one Bettencourt finished with one hit as the Vikings fell by a final score of 10-0.

Missouri Valley drops to 7-31 overall and 0-14 in the Heart.  Graceland improves to 12-22 on the season and 5-5 in the conference.

Up next, the Viking softball team will host MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) in a Heart doubleheader, Saturday beginning at 2 p.m., at Lyon Bowl.

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.