[Softball] No. 17 Grand View Takes Down Avila University in Heart Tournament Quarterfinals

Springfield, MO ­­– | TOURNAMENT CENTRAL | Top-seeded Grand View defeated the No. 5 seed Avila University, 5-1, in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament at Killian Stadium Friday afternoon.

The Vikings scored five runs on three hits and committed no errors defensively. Lexit Merritt, Lauren Poortinga (JR/Des Moines, IA), and Kate Crow (SR/Ames, Iowa) all recorded a hit for the Vikings. Poortinga earned three putouts along with two RBI and teammate Crow hit the only double of the game from either team. With the win, the Vikings advance to a 42-7 record and Avila will move to a 38-23 season record.

The game remained scoreless until the third inning when Grand View brought in four runs off three hits.  Maddie Thilges (SO/Johnston, IA) drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the third. Claudia Farrell (SR/Des Moines, IA) reached off an Eagle error, putting Thilges's pinch runner, Wheelock, in scoring position at third. The first hit of the game came from Lexi Merritt (SO/Waukee, IA), hitting a single to left field and bringing the first Viking run of the game. Stanzy Snyder (SR/Johnston, IA) earned her second walk of the game, loading the bases with no outs. Lauren Poortinga singled up the middle, scoring pinch runner, Winnett, and Merritt. Keeping the bats going, Kate Crow drew a standup double scoring Snyder for a 4-0 Viking advantage to end the third inning.

Two Eagle errors allowed the fifth inning allowed Grand View to score their fifth run. Kristen Webb (SR/Pleasant Hill, IA) reached base off an error and pinch runner Miranda Nash (SR/Urbandale, IA) brought in the runoff a passed ball from the Eagle's catcher.  

The Eagle's were able put one run on the board in the top of the seventh for a final score of 5-1, Grand View.

Farrell earned the win for the Vikings on the mound for her 27th win this season. She gave up four hits and one unearned run while walking two and striking out four.

No. 17 nationally ranked Grand View will take on the No. 2 seed and 19th nationally ranked, Central Methodist University tomorrow, May 5. The first pitch will be thrown at 12:30 pm.