By Daijah White/Staff writer

Missouri Valley softball swept the season’s first doubleheader against Clarke University in the first home games of their season on March 22. The team was not able to play home games for the first half of their season due to their field being redone. 

The Vikings Senior Pitcher Kim Hortsen began the game by striking out one batter. The Vikings gained the lead in the bottom of the first inning when Caitlyn Vela hit a triple and was later brought home to put the Vikings on the board 1-0. 

The game ended in the top of the seventh when Hortsen grounded a hit, throwing the out to third base. Caitlyn Vela led the first game with three hits, one run, and one RBI. 

Hortsen said, “We learned from our pre-season games, to be ready when conference started.” 

Clarke started the second game with momentum and scoring early in the game. The Vikings quickly responded and tied the game 1-1 with an RBI from Olivia Bettencourt. The Vikings then went to rally in the second inning moving the score up 5-1. Clarke was able to close the gap in the top of the third inning making it 5-4 with three runs from four hits. 

Third Baseman Briana Vela ended the sixth inning and the game catching a line drive and the third out. Shortstop Aniah Castruita led this game with two hits and two runs scored. 

The Vikings pulled out two big conference wins Friday. 

Senior Cherisha Gray said, “These wins were super important for us…especially because we were struggling a little bit with finding a rhythm during preseason and now we’re on a great track to the conference tournament” 

The Vikings Head Coach Kelly James was glad to start out their conference play 2-0 and looked forward to continuing conference play. 

MVC Softball is currently 7-1 in the Heart Of America Conference and will play a big game on the road against Central Methodist University April 3.