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CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – Valley City State University baseball coach Casey Olney announced today a pair of local teammates have committed to play baseball at VCSU beginning in the fall of 2016. 

Jesse Johnson (Valley City, N.D., Maple Valley High School) and Jorun Hamre (Enderlin, N.D., Enderlin High School) have both signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at VCSU. 

Johnson and Hamre both play baseball for Enderlin/Maple Valley during the spring high school season and are standouts on the Falcons team.

“These are outstanding young men that have great relationships with and ties to VCSU,” said Olney. “I am very excited to receive commitments from area players like these two. They have the talent and drive to help our program both on and off the field. 

Hamre – son of Jeff and Neva Hamre – is a first baseman and pitcher for the Falcons.  He was an All Region pick as a high school sophomore and junior, and he helped the Enderlin Legion Post 221 team to state tournaments in 2012, 2013, and 2014. He is also planning to play football at VCSU. Jorun’s older brother Kayl and older sister Mackenzie played baseball and softball at VCSU.

Johnson – son of Dan and Jody Johnson – is a shortstop and pitcher. He also plays for Valley City Post 60 during the summer.  Johnson was named All Region in high school as a junior and earned the team gold glove and most strikeouts awards. He posted a 1.68 ERA and recorded 54 strikeouts in 37.1 innings pitched. Johnson’s mother Jody (Schwab) is a member of the VCSU Athletic Hall of Fame for a standout basketball career at VCSU.

Valley City State University is a national member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and a conference member of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA). The Viking baseball team won a school-record 32 games last season.