Softball Uses Compelte-Game To Top Peru State at Home

Marshall, Mo., (March 29, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College softball team hosted Peru (Neb.) State in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon inside Cargill Field at Indian Foothills Parks.  The Vikings split a pair of low-scoring games, dropping the opener, 2-0, before bouncing back to win game two, 4-1.

Game one began with Sophomore Pitcher Andreina Buonafina (Guatemala) facing the minimum batters through the third inning, striking out one batter through the stretch of play.  Missouri Valley put the first runner on-base in the game, as Senior Leftfielder Taya Brickner (Fort Collins, Colo.) singled to open the bottom of the third, but was left stranded to end the at-bat.  Buonafina took down the Bobcats in order in the top of the fourth inning, striking out a pair to help keep the contest scoreless.  Peru State threatened in the top of the fifth inning, getting its first hit of the game to open the team's at-bat.  A walk and a sac-bunt put two runners into scoring position with one out.  A grounder was hit to Sophomore Third Baseman Keira Carvalho (Vista, Calif.), who threw to Junior Catcher Camryn Dilla (West Des Moines, Iowa) for the tag out at home, and Buonafina ended the inning with a strikeout to end the PSC threat, and keep the teams tied at 0-0.  Brickner singled in the bottom half of the inning, but was left stranded once again.  The Bobcats broke through in the sixth inning, as a double started the at-bat.  The team added two singles and a walk in the inning, creating two runs to move in front, 2-0.  Missouri Valley was taken in order in the bottom of the sixth inning, followed by Buonafina striking out a pair to face the minimum in the top of the seventh.  The final at-bat for MVC started with a single from Freshman First Baseman Gabriella White (Pittsburg, Kan.).  However, a double-play later in the inning ended the potential rally for the Vikings, as the team fell, 2-0.

Brickner had two hits and White added one hit.  Buonafina pitched the full seven innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs with six strikeouts.

The second game began with Junior Pitcher Chloe Shuff (Cypress, Calif.) working through the Peru State lineup in order in the first and second innings, striking out one batter.  The Bobcats followed with a solo homer in the top of the third inning to open scoring in the contest, and move in front, 1-0.  The fourth inning featured another quick inning from Shuff, facing the minimum with three groundouts.  Missouri Valley put up its first run of the game, as Sophomore Designated Player Jordan Pasbrig (Moberly, Mo.) knocked out a solo homer to tie the teams at 1-1.  Peru State tried to threaten in the top of the fifth inning, on a leadoff single, but Shuff struck out one batter and left the runner stranded to keep the score tied.  The Vikings put together a rally in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the team worked three-straight singles to open the at-bat.  Sophomore Second Baseman Allison Loucas (Twin Lakes, Wisc.), White and Pasbrig each singled, with Pasbrig driving in Loucas.  Dilla Followed with a sac-fly that allowed Junior Pinch Runner Melanie Perez (Monterrey, Mexico) to score.  Senior Shortstop Aniah Castruita (South El Monte, Calif.) added a double, and Brickner drove home Freshman Pinch Runner Alex Whaley (Greenville, Fla.) to cap scoring and give MVC a 4-1 advantage.  Shuff worked through the Peru State batters in the top of the seventh inning, capping the complete-game with a strikeout to secure the 4-1 victory.

Pasbrig led with two hits, one run and two RBIs, while Castruita finished with two hits.  Loucas had one hit and one run, and Dilla added one hit and one RBI.  Shuff pitched a complete-game victory, giving up four hits and one earned run with three strikeouts.

The split moves Missouri Valley to 4-26 overall and 1-11 in the Heart.  Peru State drops to 7-14 on the season and 2-8 in the conference.

Up next, the Viking softball team will host Mount Mercy (Iowa) in a Heart doubleheader, Friday 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.