MADISON, S.D.(vcsuvikings.com) – The Valley City State softball team completed the series sweep of Dakota State with a 4-1 victory over Dakota State Monday.
Valley City State improves to 11-3 overall and 4-0 in the conference. Dakota State drops to 6-14 overall and 0-4 in the NSAA.
The Vikings got things going in the top of the third as Joelle Aiello was hit by a pitch followed by a bunt single from Anne-Elise Gest. Sierra Crocker advanced the runners with a sac bunt and Marissa Hawkins drove in Aiello with a groundout. Makenzee Stone singled to left field to score Gest as the Vikings held a 2-0 lead in the middle of the third inning.
Dakota State later walked in a run in the fifth inning, and a Trojan error scored Danika Balvik in the sixth.
Dakota State got on the board with a solo home run from Alexus Foster in the bottom of the sixth, but couldn’t get closer as the Vikings completed the four-game sweep.
Emily Smith got the win in the circle after pitching a complete game. She allowed one run on four hits, walked one, and struck out 12. Makenzee Stone and Andrea Rodriguez each recorded three hits and one RBI for the Vikings.
Xitlali Lopez got the loss for Dakota State, pitching 5.0 innings for the Trojans. She allowed three earned runs on nine hits, walked three and struck out six.
UP NEXT: Valley City State is slated to play a doubleheader at Jamestown on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Game is subject to change dependent on the weather forecast.