The Vikings sent 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, using four hits and three Mayville errors to push across six runs and earn their first win of the fall baseball season. VCSU’s pitchers allowed just two hits on the night as the Vikings improved to 1-3 overall. Mayville State drops to 4-3.

Grant Wehseler, Austin Smith and Jayden Shipman all had two hits in the game for VCSU. The Vikings finished the game with seven runs and nine total hits. Mayville State scored its two runs on just two hits. VCSU committed three errors while Mayville State had four errors.

The Vikings started the scoring with a single run in the first inning. A hit by pitch and two infield singles loaded the bases with no outs, and then Nate Soulis drove in Brady Smith with a sacrifice fly. The threat fizzled quickly though as Mayville starter Tait Ludwick worked out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts.

From there, the teams settled into a pitcher’s duel. Shaun Kourajian started and pitched the first 3 2/3 innings for VCSU, giving up just one hit and no runs. Philip Almanza pitched the next 3 1/3 innings, allowing just one run and no hits. The Comets pushed across their only run against Almanza in the top of the fifth on Kyle Maunahan’s sacrifice fly that tied the game at 1-1.

Tied 1-1 entering the bottom of the seventh, VCSU broke the game open. Nate Rodriquez opened the big inning with a walk, and Jayden Shipman followed with an infield single. The Vikings took the lead when Rodriguez scored on a dropped pop fly behind second base. Austin Smithdrew a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-1. Nate Soulisfollowed with a ground ball up the middle which was misplayed by the Comets and led to two more runs. An RBI double by Emmanuel Leyva and RBI single by Kody Lane capped the rally and gave VCSU a 7-1 advantage.

Brady Engebretson pitched a scoreless eighth inning for VCSU before Mayville State scored its final run in the ninth inning against VCSU’s Jacob Miller.

Almanza earned the win on the mound for VCSU with his 3 1/3 hitless innings of relief. Craig Broadman took the loss for Mayville after going 2 1/3 innings and giving up two hits and two runs.

Nate Soulis went 1-for-3 with a run and two RBIs for VCSU. Austin Smith had two hits, scored once and drove in one. Wehseler and Shipman each had two hits and a run, while Leyva, Lane and Brady Smith each had an RBI.

Brady Nygaard and Zachary Foster collected the two hits for Mayville State. Nygaard and Maunahan each drove in a run. Ludwick gave the Comets four strong innings on the mound to start the game. He allowed four hits and a run while striking out six.

Up next: Valley City State (1-3) closes the fall varsity season on Oct. 7 with a doubleheader at Morningside College. Mayville State finishes the fall season with a 4-3 overall record.