Heart Softball Conference Tournament: Day Two Recap
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – With the field shrinking to four teams on day two, both Missouri Baptist and Central Methodist advance in the winner's bracket as William Woods and Grand View stay alive in the consolation bracket.
Game 6: No. 6 William Woods Defeats No. 7 Mount Mercy, 6-1
An elimination game started off day two as William Woods came away with a 6-1 victory over Mount Mercy. Taylor Baumhoer improved her record to 14-4 on the year as she allowed just one run on two hits, while Mount Mercy's Ashley Webb and Maggie McNally shared pitching duties.
William Woods scored first on an error by the Mustang defense, but Mount Mercy's Calli Janik fired back with a solo home run in the top of the fourth to tie it up at one. William Woods then capitalized on a single and three bases loaded walks as they took a 6-1 lead and held that for the remainder of the game.
With the win, William Woods advanced to take on Benedictine later in another elimination game. With the loss, Mount Mercy's tournament has come to an end.
Game 7: No. 1 Missouri Baptist Defeats No. 4 Benedictine, 4-3
Benedictine's comeback fell short on Friday as Missouri Baptist picked up a 4-3 win to advance in the winner's bracket. Kaylie Brake is now 23-4 on the year after today's win, pitching a complete game and allowing just three runs on five hits. Bailey Selvage also threw the full game and allowed four runs on nine hits.
After three scoreless innings, Benedictine's Rhiannon Martin hit a home run to center field and gave Benedictine a 2-0 lead. Missouri Baptist's Allison Leigraf fired right back in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run shot of her own to tie the game at two.
The Spartans were able to get two more runs in the fifth on a fielder's choice and a Makayla Johnson home run to lead 4-2 into the seventh inning. Back-to-back doubles for the Ravens in the seventh got one run, but the tying run was stranded at third base as Missouri Baptist pulled off the win.
With the win, Missouri Baptist advances in the winner's bracket and will take on No. 2 Central Methodist at 12 p.m., on Saturday, May 2. With the loss, Benedictine moved into the consolation bracket and faced off with William Woods on Friday evening in an elimination game.
Game 8: No. 2 Central Methodist Defeats No. 3 Grand View, 2-0
Two runs for the Eagles were all that was needed to defeat Grand View on Friday, 2-0. Haley Cotter earned the win in the circle for CMU, throwing a complete game shutout with just three hits, while Madeline Waldorf allowed just two runs on four hits.
After a walk and a double to start the bottom of the first, a fielder's choice gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead. It wasn't until the sixth inning when another run was scored, and it was a double from Maddie Holly that gave Central Methodist the 2-0 win.
With the win, Central Methodist advances in the winner's bracket and will take on No. 1 Missouri Baptist at 12 p.m., on Saturday, May 2. With the loss, Grand View moved into the consolation bracket and faced off with Baker on Friday evening in an elimination game.
Game 9: No. 6 William Woods Defeats No. 4 Benedictine, 2-0
The second elimination game of the day was a low scoring defensive battle as William Woods came away with a 2-0 win. Taylor Baumhoer got her second win of the day, throwing a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits, while Lily SinghDhillon allowed two runs on three hits and Bailey Selvage finished the final three innings without a hit.
Three singles from Sara Foster, Mariah Prince, and Sammy Lohnes in the top of the second was enough for William Woods to score two runs and go on to win the elimination game.
With the win, William Woods advances to take on No. 3 Grand View in an elimination game on Saturday, May 2, at 2:30 p.m. With the loss, Benedictine's tournament has come to an end.
Game 10: No. 3 Grand View Defeats No. 8 Baker, 4-3 (9 Inn.)
An extra inning game closed out day two of the Heart Conference Tournament as Grand View came away with a 4-3 win over Baker in nine innings. Caedence Risius got the start for Grand View, throwing four innings. Molly Breeding then entered for the final five innings and earned the win. Camrynn Yardley pitched the entire game for Baker and allowed four runs on 11 hits.
Grand View scored three runs early on a double from Nevaeh Randall and a groundout from Alexia Jarrett. They then held that lead until the top of the fifth when an error scored a run and then a double from Gracie Gallagher tied the game at three.
The game then went to extra innings and in the ninth inning, a Grace Anderson single down the right field line score Elle Nelson and gave Grand View a 4-3 win.
With the win, Grand View will now take on No. 6 William Woods at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 2, in an elimination game. With the loss, Baker's tournament has come to an end.