VALLEY CITY, N. D (vcsuvikings.com) – Strong pitching and defense propelled the Viking baseball team to another victory Tuesday night as Valley City State defeated Jamestown, 9-4.
VCSU pitchers Phillip Almanza and Reed Butz combined to allowed just one run through the first seven innings as VCSU built a 5-1 lead. Jamestown cut into the lead with three runs in the eighth inning, making it 5-4, but the Vikings put the game away with four runs in the bottom of the eighth.
“Our pitchers and defense made it really tough on them tonight,” said VCSU head coach Casey Olney. “We didn’t give them any free bases and played a clean game on defense.”
The Vikings scored their nine runs on 10 hits and committed just one error – a wild throw on a pickoff attempt at first base. Jamestown scored its four runs on six hits. The Jimmie defense committed five errors.
Valley City State improves to 2-2 overall this season. Jamestown drops to 1-4 overall. VCSU and Jamestown have now split their two games this fall. The rubber match will be played Sunday at Jamestown.
“The guys played really well in all areas tonight,” said VCSU head coach Casey Olney. “I am very happy with the growth and improvement of our team from the start of the fall until now.”
The Viking offense came alive in the third inning with back-to-back leadoff singles by Ryan Reynolds and Adam Thompson. Both eventually came around to score, and VCSU took a 2-1 lead on a RBI single by Gedeon Ellis. The Vikings tacked on single runs in each of the next three innings – including an RBI single by Connor Aanderud and a sacrifice fly by Chase Feller – to build a 5-1 advantage.
“Our hitters made a quick adjustment against a tough pitcher after the first couple innings, and then helped us get things going offensively,” said Olney.
The Vikings chased Jamestown starter Kensaku Akiya after 4 2/3 innings. Akiya took the loss after giving up seven hits and four runs – only one of which was earned. He struck out seven and walked two.
After Jamestown cut the Viking lead to 5-4 with three runs in the eighth, VCSU wasted little time answering back. Reynolds started the eighth inning with a walk, and Thompson followed with a single to jumpstart a 4-run inning that all but put the game away.
Reynolds and Thompson both had a pair of hits and each scored three runs to spark the Viking offense. Ellis was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Aanderud, David Demeter and Drew Nixon all had a hit and an RBI. It was the first career RBI for Aanderud, who also threw out a runner trying to steal second base.
Phillip Almanza gave the Vikings a strong start on the mound, allowing just three hits and one run over his four innings of work. Reed Butz came on in relief and picked up the win. Butz went 3 1/3 innings, recording eight of the 10 outs by strikeout. He gave up two hits and three runs, walking five. Chase Feller earned the save for VCSU, working the final 1 2/3 innings, including striking out the side in the top of the ninth.
Up next: Valley City State hosts Mayville State University for a 9-inning game on Friday. First pitch is at 5:30 p.m.