Photo from VCSU

DICKINSON, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com)– Viking Baseball won its 2022 season opener on Tuesday, picking up an 8-7 road victory at Dickinson State University.

 Hunter Magnuson pitched 5 2/3 innings in relief for the win – allowing just one run and six hits –  and shortstop Shane Nixon went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI in his Viking debut. 

 The Vikings scored two runs in both the first and second innings, but trailed 5-4 entering the top of the fourth inning. VCSU took the lead for good with four runs in the fourth, capped by a two-run home run by senior Drew Nixon. 

 Leading 8-5, Magnuson and the Vikings shut the Blue Hawk offense down in the middle innings and then held on down the stretch for an 8-7 win. 

 Zach Veneman started on the mound for VCSU and went 2 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and five runs. Magnuson came on in relief in the bottom of the third and pitched through the eighth inning, giving up just one run in the bottom of the eighth. Dustin Mertz pitched the ninth for the save. 

 Shane Nixon had three hits to lead the Viking offense, scoring once and driving in one with an RBI double in the second inning. It was Nixon’s first game as a Viking after transferring to VCSU this summer from the University of Central Oklahoma. Shane is a twin brother of Drew Nixon, who is playing his fourth season with the Vikings. 

 Viking catcher Jaden Babiuk went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI on Tuesday, while Drew Nixon was 1-for-5 with his 2-run home run. Dustin Mertz and Tory Nelson both had a hit and scored two runs. 

 Up next: Valley City State (1-0) continues its fall season Sept. 19 with a 9-inning game at Mayville State.