JAMESTOWN, N.D. (vsuvikings.com)  – VCSU freshman Avery Bennefeld hit a solo home run in his first collegiate at bat Sunday, but that was all the offense the Vikings could muster in a 7-1 loss at the University of Jamestown.

Jamestown scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to the 7-1 victory. Bennefeld (pictured) hit a solo home run in the top of the third inning for VCSU to cut the deficit to 3-1, taking the second pitch he saw over the right-center fence.

Jamestown added a single run in the fifth inning and then put the game out of reach with three more runs in the eighth.

Valley City State drops to 3-3 overall this fall. The Vikings posted a 1-2 record against Jamestown. The Jimmies improve to 2-4 overall. VCSU has three games remaining this fall, traveling to Morningside College for a three-game series Oct. 17-18.

The Vikings managed five hits on Sunday, including Bennefeld’s home run. David Demeter, Gedeon Ellis, Carter Dodd and Colton Berg all had singles for VCSU.

Chase Feller started on the mound for VCSU and took the loss. Feller went three innings, allowing four hits and three runs – two of which were earned. He walked three and struck out one. Reed Butz pitched three innings of relief, giving up three hits and a run. Tyler Kliniske pitched a scoreless seventh inning for VCSU. Marcus Niemann and Wes Johnson combined to pitch the eighth.

Up next: Valley City State closes out the fall portion of its schedule with a three-game series at Morningside College, Oct. 17-18.