[Softball] Grand View Softball Advances to Bracket Championship
Oklahoma City, OK – Grand View softball re-wrote school history at the 2018 NAIA Softball Championship Opening Round Oklahoma City Bracket after earning their second win against Tabor College. Last year the Vikings claimed their first victory ever in the national tournament after defeating The University of Mobile 2-1 in eight innings.
No. 2-seed Grand View will take on two-time defending national champion and host school, Oklahoma City University tomorrow in the bracket championships to punch their ticket to the NAIA Softball World Series in Clermont, Fla., May 25-31.
Game One | Grand View – 0, Oklahoma City – 3
The Vikings dropped their first game of the day to Oklahoma City 3-0. The game remained scoreless until OKU was able to put one run on the board in the top of the fifth inning. The Vikings struggled at the plate, recording only one hit the whole game.
Claudia Farrell (SR/Des Moines, IA) took the loss on the mound for the Vikings, striking out five batters, walking one and allowing five hits. Kaylee Watson (FR/Stockport, IA) recorded the lone hit for the Vikings. The loss forced the Vikings to play an elimination game against Tabor College Tuesday evening.
Game Two | Grand View – 13, Tabor College – 0 (5 Innings)
The Vikings had their bats ready this evening. Kristen Webb (SR/Pleasant Hill, IA) hit her first home run of the season, pounding a grand slam to start the first inning, while Lauren Poortinga (JR/Des Moines, IA) nailed a solo blast for Grand View later in the game.
The Vikings jumped to an early 7-0 lead in the first inning and added five more in the third along with one in the fourth to seal the deal.
Grand View recorded 11 hits led by Maddie Thilges (SO/Johnston, IA) and Poortinga each with three apiece. Poortinga recorded three RBI and counted three runs for the Vikings while Thilges tallied two RBI, and Webb tailed four RBI. Lexi Merrit also recorded two hits for the Vikings.
Libby Yenger (JR/Indianola, IA) recorded her 18th victory this season for the Vikings, striking out two of 17 batters faced and allowing only three hits.
Up next…
No. 16 nationally ranked Grand View (48-9) will take on the second-ranked Oklahoma City University Stars (50-7) at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ann Lacy Stadium.