BELLEVUE, NE (VCSUVikings.com)- The Valley City State University baseball team scored in just one out of 21 innings Thursday, but still managed to pick up a victory in a tripleheader at Bellevue University.

VCSU scored five runs in the third inning of game two, and then held on to pick up a 5-4 victory. VCSU lost games one and three of the tripleheader by scores of 7-0 and 16-0.

The Vikings are now 9-19 overall and 3-7 in the North Star Athletic Association. Bellevue, a perennial national tournament team, is now 21-16 overall and 8-3 in the NSAA.

Bellevue 7, VCSU 0

The Bruins scored three runs in the fourth and four runs in the fifth inning to take game one by a score of 7-0.

The Viking offense scattered nine hits in the game, but was unable to push across a run. Bellevue scored its seven runs on seven hits, and was helped by six VCSU errors.

Nicholas Vargas started on the mound for VCSU and went 3 1/3 innings. He took the loss despite throwing well. Vargas gave up just two hits and three runs – only one of which was earned.

Brady Smith, Grant Wehseler and Emmanuel Leyva each had had two hits for VCSU’s offense.

VCSU 5, Bellevue 4

Nate Soulis keyed a five-run third inning for VCSU with a bases-loaded double, scoring three runs and putting the Vikings ahead 5-3.

That would be enough runs for pitcher Max Koprek, who came on in relief and pitched the final five innings for the victory. Koprek gave up just two hits and one run the rest of the way, securing the victory for VCSU. He walked two and struck out six. Koprek now leads the nation with a 0.86 earned run average.

Shaun Kourajian started on the mound for VCSU and went two innings, giving up five hits and three runs.

With VCSU trailing 3-0 in the third inning, Emmanual Leyva and Grant Wehseler both drew bases-loaded walks to start the scoring for VCSU. Nate Soulis followed with a two-out, bases-clearing double to give VCSU a 5-3 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The Vikings managed just three hits in the game, but got the double from Soulis at the perfect time. Alexandro Valenzuela and Aiden Brook each had a hit as well.

Bellevue 16, VCSU 0

Game three belonged to the Bruins as they erupted for 10 runs in the second inning and coasted to a 16-0 victory.

The Bruins had 16 runs on 14 hits. The Vikings managed four hits in the game. Brady Smith, Cody Kingsbury, Nate Soulis and Aiden Brook each had a hit for VCSU.