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ARIZ (VCSUVikings.com)- The VCSU baseball team broke out the big bats for its final game in Tucson, Ariz. The Vikings banged out 15 hits and scored 18 runs as they trounced the Illinois Institute of Technology on Thursday, 18-2.

Trailing 1-0 after two innings, VCSU scored four runs in the third inning and seven runs in the fourth inning to break the game wide open. VCSU scored at least two runs in the final five innings, ending the game by 10-run rule after seven innings.

Valley City State improves to 6-15 overall this season. The Vikings posted a 5-5 record on their trip to Tucson.

Jared Meiklejohn sparked the scoring outburst Thursday with a three-run home run in the top of the third inning, giving the Vikings a 3-1 lead. Meiklejohn finished 2-for-5 at the plate, scoring two runs and driving in five runs. Joe Demers went 3-for-3 and scored two runs. Senior Mitch Scheer had a monster game, going 3-for-3 with four runs and three RBIs. Anthony Necochea added two hits and Brady Anderson tallied three RBIs.

The Vikings had nine extra-base hits in the game, including four triples and four doubles. Scheer led the extra-base barrage with both a triple and a double.

Max Koprek started and earned his first win as a Viking after pitching four innings. He allowed just three hits and one run, walking one and striking out three. Andrew Hirsch came on and pitched the final three innings to earn a save. He gave up just two hits and one run.

Up next: Valley City State will play a pair of JV games on Friday in Tucson. The Vikings are scheduled to open their home schedule and conference play next weekend by hosting Mayville State University for a four-game series March 25-26.