VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSUVikings.com) – Drew Nixon hit a go-ahead three-run home run and Viking pitchers struck out 18 batters Sunday as VCSU opened the season with a 4-3 victory against rival University of Jamestown.
VCSU trailed 3-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, but Nixon’s towering home run over the left-field fence capped a four-run rally and gave the Vikings a 4-3 lead. David Demeter took it from there, striking out the side in the top of the ninth to shut the door on the Viking victory.
“18 strikeouts by our pitchers is the story of the game,” said head coach Casey Olney. “That, along with limiting free passes, makes it hard for them to get much going offensively.”
Reed Butz started on the mound for VCSU and diced his way through the Jimmie lineup, striking out 13 batters and not allowing a hit through the first six innings. Jamestown finally broke through with a hit in the seventh inning, and it was a big one. After the leadoff hitter reached on an error, Jamestown left-fielder Tayler Cullen hit a two-run home run over the center field fence – the only hit allowed by Butz – that broke a scoreless tie and gave Jamestown a 2-0 lead.
The Jimmies pushed across another run against Viking relief pitcher William Hlady, making it 3-0 after seven innings. It would stay that way until the bottom of the eighth. JT Reed started the Viking comeback with an infield single, took second on a wild pitch and then came all the way home when Demeter reached on a throwing error. Dustin Mertz drew a walk to put two runners on and then Nixon lifted a 1-0 pitch high in the air to left field, carrying just beyond the reach of Cullen’s leap at the fence. The three-run home run put the Vikings ahead 4-3 after eight innings.
Chase Feller pitched a perfect eighth inning for VCSU to earn the win, and Demeter struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn his first career save.
“Reed (Butz) was dominant. 13 strikeouts in six innings is special stuff,” said Olney. “The bullpen guys did a great job of keeping us in it until we could get the big swing from Drew. And then Davey (Demeter) was able to lock it down in the ninth in his new role as closer.”
VCSU’s four pitchers combined to allow just three hits in the game, walked only two and struck out 18. The Viking offense collected nine hits in the victory.
JT Reed, Demeter and Ryan Reynolds each had two hits. Nixon, Jayden Shipman and Mertz each had a hit as well.
Sunday’s game was the first of eight scheduled contests for VCSU this fall. The Vikings travel to Mayville State for a 9-inning game Wednesday at 3 p.m.
“We’re excited to be playing games that matter here in the fall,” said Olney. “This was a real quality win our first time out against a very good team. I’m happy for our guys.”