JAMESTOWN (VCSUVikings.com)– The Valley City State softball team split its Saturday games played at the University of Jamestown Dome, including a 12-6 win over Dakota Wesleyan. VCSU also fell to NCAA Div. II Northern State University 20-5 in five innings.
The Vikings totaled seven extra-base hits on the day including four doubles, two triples and a home run. VCSU opens the season with a 2-2 record after also splitting its Friday games at the UJ Dome. The Vikings are back in action at the Dordt University Dome Feb. 14-15.
VCSU 12, Dakota Wesleyan 6
The Vikings totaled 15 hits, five of which were for extra bases, Saturday in a big win over Dakota Wesleyan.
After Dakota Wesleyan got on the board with one run in the first inning, VCSU’s Jenna Decker had the answer in a 2-run triple to right-centerfield. VCSU expanded its lead in the second inning with three more runs including an RBI single from Makenzee Stone and a 2-run double by Logan Gronberg.
Dakota Wesleyan then used a 4-run third inning to tie the game 5-5, including a 2-run double by Jordyn Blogg. The Vikings once again had the answer in the bottom of the third, driving in six runs including a 3-run homer from Gronberg to hold an 11-5 advantage en route to the 12-6 win.
Gronberg went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and a home run for the Vikings. She scored two runs and drove in five. Decker also went 3-for-4 with a triple, and Katelyn MacNeill was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI. Kylee Banerd added a triple and scored two runs for VCSU and Avery Kuklinski also swiped the plate twice.
Gronberg also picked up the win in the circle after pitching 4 complete innings in relief. She allowed just one run on three hits, struck out two and walked one. Maddy Zander started in the circle and worked 3 innings while allowing four earned runs on five hits while talking four and striking out five.
Dakota Wesleyan’s Keirstyn Krcil got the loss after pitching a complete game. She allowed eight earned runs on 15 hits, walked three and struck out two. Ashlen Johnson went 3-for-3 at the plate, scored two runs and drove in one.
Northern 20, VCSU 5 (5 innings)
Valley City State held a 4-3 edge in the middle of the second inning Saturday but Northern State added three runs in the bottom half of the inning and then exploded for 13 runs in the third to remain out of reach in a 20-5 victory in 5 innings.
VCSU loaded the bases in the second inning with just one out to begin its scoring rally. Banerd drew a walk to drive in Alyssa DePoorter to put the Vikings on the board. Makenzee Stone then delivered a sacrifice fly to score Madison Hazelton, and Kennadi Stone smashed a 2-run double to take over a 4-3 lead.
From there it was all Northern State. The Wolves added three runs in the bottom of the second, including two runs on Tevan Bryant’s single to right field. Northern then found 13 runs in the third inning including seven runs with two outs. The Wolves tallied three doubles, three triples and a home run in the explosive inning.
Kennadi Stone later drove in Makenzee Stone on a two-out single to left field but the Vikings could not come back.
Cooper Klaahsen got the loss after starting in the circle and working 2 and 1/3 innings. She allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits, walked two and struck out two. Rhyan Sigmeth and Maddy Zander each pitched in relief and combined for three walks and three strikeouts. Kennadi Stone totaled two hits, one walk and drove in three runs for VCSU. Banerd, DePoorter, Zander and Makenzee Stone each added a hit.
Northern’s Emma Owens went 4-for-4 at the plate with three doubles and a triple to drive in six runs and score four. Bryant added two hits including a home run to score two and drive in five. Mckenzie Wanner earned the win after pitching 3 and 2/3 innings in relief. She allowed just one earned run on five hits, walked one and struck out two. Aune Boben started in the circle and worked 1 and 1/3 innings. She allowed four runs on one hit, walked five and struck out three.