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MN (VCSUVikings.com)- A short-handed Valley City State baseball team dropped a non-conference game Wednesday at Concordia College-Moorhead, falling 5-2 against the Cobbers.

Concordia took an early 2-0 lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and then led throughout. The Vikings cut the advantage to 2-1 and 3-2, but could not overtake the Cobbers.

The Vikings managed just five hits in the game, while Concordia only tallied seven hits. Joe Demers went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Vikings, and Ben Bruenjes was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Austin Smith added a hit and scored a run.

VCSU freshman Jesse Johnson took the loss on the mound. He started and went 3 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs. Jordon Roos pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and a run. Andrew Hirsch, Billy Callanan and Max Koprek each pitched a scoreless inning.

The Vikings were without three starting position players as they try to rest guys ahead of this week’s key conference series against Presentation College. VCSU, which is currently fourth in the NSAA standings with a 9-3 record, hosts Presentation College for doubleheaders on Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 12 p.m.

Up next: Valley City State (15-20, 9-3 NSAA) hosts Presentation College (10-26, 2-10 NSAA) for doubleheaders this weekend in Valley City. Friday’s doubleheader starts at 2 p.m. and Saturday’s games begin at 12 p.m.