Softball Game Preview: Tippecanoe Valley Vikings vs. Columbia City Eagles

The Tippecanoe Valley Vikings will square off against the Columbia City Eagles at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.

Tippecanoe Valley is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. They blew past NorthWood 13-1. The high-scoring effort was just what the Vikings needed considering they were shut out in their previous contest.

Malaynie Costello

Doubles (Career)

05/27/25 vs NorthWood	2
05/22/25 vs Jimtown	1
04/21/25 @ Culver Community	1
04/14/25 @ Triton	1

Tippecanoe Valley let Kahlyn Manns and Malaynie Costello run wild. Manns went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one double, while Costello went 2-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, and two RBI. Those two doubles gave Costello a new career-high. Mackaylie Costello was another key player, going 2-for-3 with three runs.

They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Tippecanoe Valley kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, Columbia City got themselves on the board against Fairfield on Tuesday, but Fairfield never followed suit. They put the hurt on the Falcons with a sharp 10-0 victory. Considering the Eagles have won nine matchups by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.

Emma Hiss made a big impact no matter where she played. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out seven over five innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 17 consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, firing off two home runs while going 2-for-2.

In other batting news, Kendyl Sattison and Hanna Maggard did most of the damage at the plate: Sattison went 1-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI, while Maggard went 1-for-2 with three RBI and one double. Another player making a difference was Eden Taylor, who went 1-for-2 with two runs and one RBI.

Tippecanoe Valley's win bumped their record up to 12-10. As for Columbia City, they are on a roll lately: they've won 13 of their last 16 games. That's provided a nice bump to their 17-5 record this season.