VALLEY CITY – The University of Jamestown scored five runs in the first three innings Monday night and made the early lead stand up, defeating Valley City State by a score of 8-4 in the Viking baseball home opener.
The Vikings cut the lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, but could get no closer. Valley City State drops to 2-5 overall during the fall season. Jamestown improves to 2-1 overall.
The Vikings will be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 1, when they host Mayville State University.
On Monday night, Jamestown struck first with a pair of two-out runs in the first inning. Back-to-back two-out walks, followed by an infield single, loaded the bases for Tayler Cullen who delivered a two-run single to center field.
Valley City State got a run back in the bottom of the first inning when Chase Feller deposited a pitch over the left-field fence for a solo home run.
The Jimmies pushed across two more runs in the second inning and then built a 5-1 lead after Kendall Yackley’s solo home run in the top of the third inning.
The Vikings pushed across two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks in part to four straight walks to start the inning. JT Reed‘s RBI single to shallow center field – which was lost in the lights by the Jimmie defense – plated the second run and cut the deficit to 5-3. The Vikings were poised for a big inning but with one out and runners on first and third, the Vikings lined into a double play on a hit-and-run situation. Jacob Miller‘s solid liner back up the middle went right to Jimmie second baseman Ben Pedigo, who was covering the bag for the stolen base attempt.
The Vikings again missed a chance in the sixth inning. Kyle Leapaldt tripled to deep right-center with one out, but was called out for leaving the base early after he tried to tag on Jayden Shipman‘s fly ball to left field.
Jamestown’s Ben Pedigo stretched the lead back to 6-3 with a one-out solo home run in the top of the seventh inning. Jamestown tacked on two more in the inning when Braxton Hewitt delivered a pinch-hit two-run single back up the middle.
The Vikings got one run back in the bottom of the eighth on a bases-loaded walk, but could not push across any more after loading the bases with one out. Jimmie pitcher Austin Pesicka worked out of the jam with an infield fly and strikeout to end the Viking threat.
Jesse Johnson started on the mound for VCSU and took the loss after giving up seven hits and five runs over three innings of work. William Hlady, Matthew Suda and Tyler Kliniske all pitched in relief for the Vikings.
Feller led the Viking offense with a 2-for-4 game and his solo home run. JT Reed was 2-for-4 with a run and RBI. Kyle Leapaldt had a hit and drove in a run. The Vikings managed five hits in the game and drew 10 walks.
Jamestown collected 11 total hits, including two each by Ben Padigo, Kendall Yackley and Lincoln Trujillo. Cameron Jenkins picked up the win for Jamestown after two strong innings of relief. Mitchell Dennis started on the mound for the Jimmies and went four innings, allowing two hits and three runs.