[Softball] Farrell's Walk-off Home Run Advances Vikings to Championship Game

Springfield, MO ­­– | TOURNAMENT CENTRAL | Top-seeded Grand View took down third-seed Baker University 5-4 with a walk-off two-run home run from senior Claudia Farrell (SR/Des Moines, IA). The Vikings advance to the championship game against second-seed Central Methodist starting at 11 am.

Baker University jumped to a 3-0 lead to end the second inning. Viking defense ended the second inning with a 9-6-2 double play with runners in scoring position to hold the Wildcats to three runs.

Grand View put their first run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Lexi Merritt (SO/Waukee, IA) hit a leadoff single up the middle followed by Stanzy Snyder (SR/Johnston, IA) and Lexie Biehl (SR/Maquoketa, IA), recording the first three Vikings hits of the game. Lauren Poortinga (JR/Des Moines, IA) brought in the lone run off a sacrifice fly to left field closing the gap to a 3-1 deficit. 

Viking defense retired three batters straight to start the fifth inning. Kaylee Watson (FR/Stockport, IA) started off the bottom of the fifth with a single to left field and stealing second. Merritt singled to center, bringing in second Viking run.

The Wildcats scored one run in the top of the sixth to expand to their lead 4-2.  Kate Crow (SR/Ames, Iowa) reached off a leadoff walk. Watson followed with a double to deep right-center, bringing in the tying run.  Claudia Farrell was brought in to pinch hit, blasting a two-run home run over left-center on a 0-1 count giving Grand View a 5-3 lead.

Viking defense and strong pitching from junior, Libby Yenger (JR/Indianola, IA), held the Baker offense to win the game 5-4. Yenger faced 31 at-bats, striking out five and allowing five earned runs off eight hits. Merritt, Snyder, and Watson each tallied two hits for the Vikings. Collectively, Grand View recorded eight hits and committed two errors defensively.

Grand View will advance into the championship game tomorrow at 11 am against nationally ranked No. 19 and second-seed Central Methodist University. The Vikings and Eagles met in the semifinals Saturday morning with the Eagles topping Grand View 4-2.