Ravens Softball faced two win-or-go-home games at home on Sunday, winning both to clinch a spot in the Heart Softball Championship Series.

The Ravens swept the Park University Pirates, taking Game 1 by a score of 4-3, then winning Game 2, 9-1. The Ravens had to win both games to move in front of Missouri Valley College for the fourth and final spot in the Heart South Division.

Game 1

The Ravens were staring the end of the season directly in the face in Game 1. Down 3-1 with 1 out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Megan Medhus drew a walk to put a runner on for Madison Zaccardo. The senior catcher missed two big swings and was one strike away from the Ravens second out of the inning, but Zaccardo struck gold on her third swing and sent a no-doubter into the trees beyond left-center field to tie the game.

With new life, Lenae Salinas worked a walk, and then Ally Pickering launched a shot into right-center that just got over the glove of the Pirates right fielder. Salinas raced home and Pickering had a walk-off triple to keep the Ravens season alive.

Salinas, Pickering, and Kylie Hays all had 2 hits for the Ravens in Game 1. The Ravens had 11 hits in the game, but prior to the seventh inning only had 1 run to show for it. The heart of the order came up big for the Ravens in the final frame, though.

MacKenzie Pinkerton earned the win, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings in relief. Kera Willoughby earned the start for the Ravens, pitching 4.1 innings and she gave up 3 runs, all in the second inning.

Game 2

Sunday's second game wasn't as thrilling as the first, but it was just as important.

The Pirates plated 1 run on a homer in the top of the first, but the Ravens answered with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning to ensure momentum from the first game was still on their side. That was followed by 2 runs in the second inning and 4 runs in the third to give the Ravens a 9-1 lead.

Pinkerton was again strong in relief, pitching a scoreless final 3 innings to help the Ravens earn the run rule after 5 innings. Jenna Drish opened the game for the Ravens, pitching 2 innings and allowing 1 run.

Medhus had 2 hits and 4 RBIs in the second game and Chloe Strickland was 3-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

The wins improve the Ravens record to 28-24 on the season and 18-20 in Heart of America play. They slide in front of Missouri Valley, which finished with a conference record of 16-18.

The Ravens will head to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the Heart Softball Championship Series on May 5-8.