OMAHA, NEB.(VCSUVikings.com) – Valley City State’s offense erupted for 14 runs and 15 hits in game one Friday as the Vikings swept a North Star baseball doubleheader against Dakota State University.
Valley City State ended game one after eight innings, winning 14-4, and then rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win game two by a score of 6-3.
The Vikings improve to 12-20 overall and 6-8 in the North Star Athletic Association. Dakota State University drops to 1-22 overall and 1-12 in the NSAA.
Up next: Weather permitting, Valley City State is scheduled to play a single game at North Dakota State University on Tuesday, April 17. The Vikings will resume conference play next weekend with a triangular against Presentation College and Waldorf University. Dakota State is scheduled to play a game at Morningside College on April 18.
VCSU 14, Dakota State 4 (8 innings)
Valley City State’s offense erupted for 14 runs and 15 hits in game one as the Vikings rolled to a 14-4 victory.
Grant Wehseler’s 3-run home run keyed a four-run rally in the third inning as the Vikings took a 6-0 lead after three innings. Valley City State tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning – getting a 2-run home run from Emmanuel Leyva – and then put the game away with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The game was originally scheduled for nine innings, but Aiden Brook singled home Kody Lane to make it 14-4 in the eighth and end the game early by run rule.
Five different Vikings had two or more hits in the game, including three-hit games by Alejandro Gutierrez and Grant Wehseler. Gutierrez had a game-high four RBIs and went 3-for-4 at the plate. Wehseler homered as he went 3-for-3 with four runs and three RBIs. Brady Smith, Leyva and Brennen Neva each had two hits.
Jordon Roos picked up the win after five good innings on the mound. The senior right-hander scattered nine hits and gave up just one run. He did not walk anyone and struck out two. Tyler Kliniske pitched the final three innings for the Vikings, giving up five hits and three runs. He walked two and struck out five.
Dakota State racked up 14 hits in the game but was able to only push across four runs. Morcos Alvarez went 4-for-4 at the plate for DSU, while Samuel Drummond went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Connor Nagel started on the mound for Dakota State and took the loss after pitching 4 1/3 innings, giving up eight hits and seven runs. He walked two and struck out five.
VCSU 6, Dakota State University 3
Valley City State scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Vikings rallied for a 6-3 win in the 7-inning game of the doubleheader.
A passed ball and error helped the Vikings score the first two runs of the fifth inning, taking a 3-2 lead, and then Alejandro Gutierrez and Kody Lane followed with RBI singles to build the 5-2 advantage.
Dakota State threatened in the top of the sixth, pushing across one run and loading the bases with two outs. Brady Engebretson came out of the bullpen for VCSU and pitched out of the jam, inducing a ground ball to end the threat.
The Vikings tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning and Max Koprek pitched a perfect seventh inning to record the save for VCSU.
Chase Carpenter started on the mound for VCSU and gave the Vikings 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. Shaun Kourajian pitched three innings of relief for the win, allowing three hits and one run.
Both teams had six hits in the game. Dakota State committed four errors while the Vikings had one error.
VCSU’s six hits came from six different players. Gutierrez and Lane both drove in a run. Austin Smith scored three times.
Dakota State also had six hits from six different players. Jalen Boyd, Connor Nagel and Smith Kemper each drove in a run. Boyd and Jordan Hofer both doubled.
Dakota State’s Hunter Hazen started on the mound and took the loss, allowing three hits and three runs in 4 1/3 innings. He walked five and struck out one. Trey Randel pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief.