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CITY, N.D. (VCSUVikings.com)- After taking the series opener VCSU Softball struggled against Presentation College dropping the final 3 games to go 1-3 on the weekend. The Vikings are now 5-9 in The NSAA and 14-22 overall on the season. They head to Dickinson for a pair of doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday against The Blue Hawks.
Saturday April 1st
VCSU 4, Presentation College 3
Presentation College broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the sixth, taking a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the inning. That lead wouldn’t last long though. VCSU’s Kelli Moore opened the sixth with a double and then Smith followed with a 2-run home run to right-center, giving the Vikings a 4-3 lead.
The Saints threatened in the seventh with runners on second and third, but Viking pitcher Ashley Metcalf got a groundout and pop out to end the game and seal the victory.
The Saints started the scoring in the top of the third on a 2-run double by Haylee Hemmert. VCSU fought back to tie the game with single runs in the third and fifth innings. Both times it was RBI singles by Kelsey Hamade to score Jayme Menard from second base.
Hamade finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs for the Viking offense, which had four runs on seven hits. Smith went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs, and Menard finished 1-for-3 with a pair of runs.
The Saints managed three runs on seven hits. Hemmert led the way with a 2-for-3 game, driving in a pair of runs. Shanice Webb also had a pair of hits.
Ashley Metcalf earned the win for VCSU after coming on in the fourth inning. She scattered five hits and a run, walking one and striking out one. Morgan Nalley started for VCSU and surrendered two hits and two runs in three innings. Nalley struck out five.
Ashlyn O’Keefe pitched a complete game for the Saints, allowing seven hits and four earned runs. She walked three and struck out three.
Presentation College 10, VCSU 4
The Saints offense came alive with 10 runs and nine hits in game two of the doubleheader as they pulled away late for a 10-4 victory.
RBI singles by Cassie Pautz and Emily Smith gave the Vikings a 2-0 lead after one inning. The Saints took the lead for good with four runs in the top of the third inning. They would add three runs in the fifth, a run in the sixth and two in the seventh.
Haylee Hemmert finished 2-for-3 with three runs and two RBIs for the Saints. Kassandra Orozco drove in three runs, and Cortni Mendoza and Celia Cerezo each had two hits in the win.
Megan Mendonca pitched a complete game for the victory, allowing five hits and two earned runs. She walked four and struck out six.
Kathleen Gallais took the loss for VCSU after starting and allowing three runs. She walked three and gave up two hits in two innings. Haley Butterfield pitched the final five innings and gave up seven hits and six runs. She walked two and struck out five.
The Vikings managed just five hits in the game, including two each by Emily Smith and Cassie Pautz.
Sunday April 2nd
Presentation College 4, VCSU 1 (12 innings)
VCSU’s Ashley Metcalf and Presentation College’s Megan Mendonca were locked in a pitcher’s dual during game one. In the end, the Saints came out with the victory after Celia Cerezo hit a bases-clearing double in the top of the 12th inning.
Metcalf was brilliant in the loss after coming on in relief in the second inning. She allowed only three hits and no runs in her first 9 2/3 innings. Metcalf finished the game by allowing six hits and three runs in 10 2/3 innings. She walked only two and struck out 11.
Mendonca was on her game as well, going the distance for the Saints. She gave up seven hits and just one run in 12 innings of work. She walked three and struck out three.
Both teams managed seven hits in the game. Tatum Lundin went 3-for-5 to lead the Vikings, and Cerezo had the big bat for the Saints to drive in the final three runs on a bases-loaded double.
Presentation College 8, VCSU 0
The Saints ended the series finale by run-rule after five innings, earning an 8-0 victory.
VCSU managed just one hit in the game, which was off the bat of Kelli Moore.
Amber Ewert pitched the complete-game shutout for the Saints, walking three and striking out one. She gave up just the one hit in five innings.
Morgan Nalley took the loss for VCSU after pitching the first three innings. She gave up six hits and five runs, walking two and striking out three.
Haylee Hemmert went 3-for-4 with three runs for the Saints; Cassandra Orozco drove in three runs; and Cerezo hit a home run as she finished 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.