Lady Vikings win five of last six in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. -- After splitting games on each of its first three days at the Tucson Invitational, the Missouri Valley College softball team suddenly got hot and closed the trip by winning five of six.

The second half of the meet didn't begin well for the Lady Vikings, dropping a 4-3 decision Thursday to Wesleyan (Conn.). Valley had nine hits, but stranded nine runners on base.

Junior Kelly Smith gave MVC a lead with a two-run single in the top of the second inning, but the Lady Cardinals got it back during their half of the frame on a single by senior Katie Grogan.

Wesleyan (5-8) took the lead for good in the fifth as a double by sophomore Talie Bernstein and freshman Chrissy Bello's double plated runs. The Lady Vikings scratched out a run in the sixth, but were unable to catch up.

The next three games were "The Tatum Hathcock Show." The junior from Ava premiered with a three-hit shutout of Hastings (Neb.), holding the Lady Broncos (12-5) to three hits for a 2-0 win. Both of Valley's runs came in on senior Sydney Kaneshiro's two-run, two-out triple in the sixth.

The Lady Vikings had their only three-game day of the meet, closing it with their second win over Cardinal Stritch (Wis.), 4-1. Hathcock and sophomore Stacy Buschman held the Lady Wolves (0-9) to four hits while their teammates scored in four straight frames, junior Janae Borrego providing the only extra-base smack with an RBI double.

Hathcock came through for Valley again during Friday's early game, a 4-2 upset of fifth-ranked Dickinson State (N.D.). She scattered nine hits, stranding 11 runners and getting a double play from her defense.

Down 2-1, the Lady Vikings went ahead with three runs in the fifth -- Borrego plating one with a single and junior Wendy Garcia giving them the lead with a two-run double. Kaneshiro added another run with a triple in the sixth.

Hathcock set down the Lady Hawks (12-2) 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh.

Valley saw its three-game win streak snapped by No. 2 California Baptist, 8-3, in Friday's nightcap. The Lancers (29-2) took a 6-0 lead into the fifth behind junior Ashley Boyd's two-run homer and three hits and three RBIs from junior Sarah Hurlbut.

The Lady Vikings scored all of their runs in the fifth, as senior Esperanza Reyes and Smith hit back-to-back RBI triples -- Smith coming in on junior Edna Gutierrez' single.

Two wins Saturday got Valley out of town on a positive note. The Lady Vikings opened with an 8-4 win over Taylor (Ind.). Senior Kimberly Fuller had a double and two singles to drive in four runs and senior Lindsey Stapp had three hits and scored twice as Valley built an 8-0 lead over the Lady Trojans (6-8) through the first four innings.

The Lady Vikings wouldn't leave the desert early, going eight innings during the finale for a 5-4 victory over California State-San Marcos -- ranked 21st in the NAIA preseason poll.

Freshman Ciera Ashman's solo homer helped stake the Lady Cougars (19-12) to a 3-0 lead, but Valley tied it up with three runs in the fifth. Junior Janae Borrego smashed a two-run, two-out double and scored on an error.

Cal State was able to plate the inherited runner, one placed at second base to begin the eighth inning under the college tiebreaker rule, in the top of the eighth. The Lady Vikings saw that runner gunned down trying to advance for the second out of the inning, but Stapp doubled in the tying run and completed the circuit for the game-winner on a boot.

Valley (15-12) finished the western swing with an 8-5 record and will open Heart of America Conference play Wednesday at Graceland.