The Valley City State baseball team cranked out seven extra-base hits in game one Sunday, powering their way to a doubleheader split and a series victory against Morningside College.

VCSU’s power burst in game one – which included five doubles and two home runs – led to a 12-6 Viking victory. In game two, Morningside pulled away late for a 11-3 victory to split the doubleheader.

Paired with Saturday night’s 4-0 VCSU win, the Vikings took two games in the three-game series. VCSU ends the fall season with a 4-7 record. Morningside College is now 1-2 this fall.

Up next: Valley City State will resume its season in early March.

VCSU 12, Morningside College 6
Valley City State’s offense erupted for 12 runs and 11 hits – including seven extra-base hits – in game one, scoring nine runs in the first two innings en route to the 12-6 victory.

The Vikings pounded out five doubles and got home runs by David Demeter and Kyle Leapaldt to spark the offensive outburst.

Morningside opened the game with two runs in the top of the first inning, but the Vikings responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning, capped by a three-run double off the bat of Adam Thompson. VCSU added four more runs in the second inning – including a two-run home run by Demeter – to take an early 9-2 lead.

Morningside cut the lead to 11-6 with three runs in the top of the fifth inning, but the Viking defense shut the door with double plays in both the sixth and seventh innings to secure the victory.

Chase Feller started on the mound for VCSU and went three innings, giving up three hits and three runs. He walked six and struck out two. Kyle Leapaldt pitched the final four innings and picked up the win. Leapaldt allowed six hits and three runs, walked two and struck out two.

Seven different Vikings had hits in the game, including two hits each by JT Reed, Leapaldt, Seth Olguin and Feller. Thompson and Jayden Shipman both doubled and drove in three runs. Demeter and Leapaldt each collected two RBIs.

Wade Canaday started for Morningside and took the loss, giving up seven hits and nine runs – five of which were earned – over two innings of work. Caleb Thomson pitched the final four innings for Morningside.

Jordan Pierce led the Mustang offense with three hits. Nic Metcalf and Adam Carlson each had two RBIs.

Morningside 11, VCSU 3
Wade Canaday hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning, tacking on a pair of insurance runs and breaking the game open for the Mustangs as they held off Valley City State in game two, 11-3.

With the Mustangs leading 4-3 in the sixth inning, Canaday ripped a two-run home run over the left-field fence. It sparked a three-run inning and a 7-3 Mustang lead. Morningside would add four more runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Morningside scored two runs in the first and two more in the third to build a 4-2 lead. The Vikings cut it to 4-3 in the fourth inning on Adam Thompson‘s bases-loaded sacrifice fly. VCSU was unable to push across any more runs though as a strikeout and pop fly ended the threat.

William Hlady took the loss for VCSU after starting on the mound. The right-hander allowed four hits, two walks and two earned runs over his 2 2/3 innings of work. Matthew Suda and Jacob Miller both pitched in relief for the Vikings. VCSU committed four errors in the game which led to two unearned runs.

The Vikings managed just three hits in the game, including two by Chase Feller and a triple by JT Reed.

Jake Prewitt took the ball for the Mustangs and went 3 2/3 innings to start the game. He gave up three hits and three earned runs, walked four and struck out six. Aiden Bishop came on in relief and picked up the win after working 2 2/3 innings of relief. Bishop set down the first seven batters he faced and did not allow a hit.

Morningside finished the game with 12 hits and 11 runs. Nic Metcalf led the Mustang offense, going 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs. Carter Ades and Adam Carlson each had two hits.