The Missouri Valley College softball team is trying to move up in the Heart of America Conference standings, but it's tough to gain ground.

The Lady Vikings did their part Sunday by splitting a doubleheader at Benedictine, ranked eighth in NAIA Region V, and following that with a 4-2 decision Monday against visiting Graceland.

Valley trailed the Lady Ravens (22-9, 11-7 HAAC) most of the game in the opener. After junior Kimberly Fuller's solo homer in top of the first inning, Benedictine scored four of the next five runs -- getting a two-run single from freshman Jennifer Bieberly in the second inning -- to take a 4-2 lead into the seventh.

That's when the Lady Vikings erupted for six runs to take an 8-4 decision. Sophomore Sara Irminger and junior Suzanne Horine singled and scored on a grounder and junior Lindsey Stapp's single. Fuller hit an RBI single and junior Heather Sliger smashed a three-run homer.

Valley didn't have any late heroics for the nightcap, a 3-2 loss when Bieberly scored on a wild pitch after singling with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Lady Vikings trailed 2-1 before tying the game on Sliger's solo shot in the sixth.

Sophomore Tatum Hathcock threw a five-hitter, not allowing an earned run, against the Lady Yellowjackets (9-14, 2-10).

The game was tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, when Valley scored twice on Sliger's double following a single by Stapp and botched fielder's choice.

Needing to make up rainouts, the schedule is full this week for the Lady Vikings (13-19, 5-8), set to play a pair of home games today against Lindenwood.