VALLEY CITY, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – Three Viking pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout Friday night as the Viking baseball team earned a 3-0 win against Mayville State.
Matthew Suda, Tyler Kliniske and William Hlady all pitched scoreless innings on the mound, backed by a strong Viking defense that committed just one error. VCSU’s offense did just enough, getting all three of its runs off the bat of Jayden Shipman, including a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the first inning and a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.
Valley City State improves to 3-2 overall this season, including a 2-1 record against Mayville State. The two teams had split their two previous meetings this fall. Mayville State finishes its fall season with a 4-2 overall record. Valley City State still has four games remaining, including a single game Sunday at the University of Jamestown and then a three-game series next weekend at Morningside College.
The Viking offense managed just three hits in the game, but one was a timely hit by Shipman. With two outs and runners on second and third in the first inning, Shipman singled to center field and scored Gage Wherley and Gedeon Ellis for an early 2-0 lead.
That’s all the offense the Vikings would need. Suda went out and put up five scoreless innings to earn the win, giving up just three hits and striking out two. He set the tone with six straight outs to start the game, and faced the minimum number of batters through three innings. Tyler Kliniske pitched a scoreless sixth inning, getting a weak pop-up to shortstop to work out of a bases-loaded jam. William Hlady pitched the final three innings of the shutout, recording his first save in a Viking uniform. Hlady allowed just one hit and set down the first seven batters he faced – including striking out the side in the eighth.
“It was a very complete game with our pitching and defense,” said VCSU head coach Casey Olney. “We only managed three hits, but Shipman came through clutch in the first inning and it held up. Shutouts are rare, and I was happy for Matthew, Tyler and William. That was a group effort tonight with the catchers and our pitching coach Cal Fougner as well.”
JT Reed had two hits out of the leadoff spot for VCSU and came around to score on Shipman’s fifth-inning sacrifice fly, giving the Vikings a 3-0 lead. Shipman was 1-for-2 with a walk and three RBIs. Ryan Reynolds walked three times for VCSU, and both David Demeter and Ellis walked twice. VCSU hitters drew 10 walks in the game.
Matthew Johnston started on the mound for Mayville and took the loss. Johnston went 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and two runs. He walked four and struck out three. Trevor Schreiner pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing a hit and a run, before Kenneth Stewart worked four scoreless innings to finish the game for Mayville. Five different Comets had one hit each, all of which were singles.
Up next: Valley City State (3-2) plays at the University of Jamestown on Sunday. First pitch is at 1 p.m. The Vikings and Jimmies have split their two meetings so far this season.