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CITY  (Viking Sports Information)–The Viking offense had a big day and the pitching and defense took care of the rest as Valley City State picked up a road sweep of NCAA Division II University of Minnesota-Crookston.

Seniors Emma Nelson and Jane Pettit hit back to back home runs into a stiff wind in the top of the first and the Vikings were off and running.  Valley City State pounded out thirteen hits and took advantage of five Golden Eagle errors en route to a 13-0 five inning victory.

Valley City State scored three in the first then put together a six run two out rally to deflate UM Crookston.  The Vikings tacked on two in fourth and fifth innings.  Nelson led the offensive onslaught with three hits and three RBI. Adrianna Boychuk, Liz Hall and Jen Shadlock all collected two hits each for the Vikings.

If the game one offense wasn’t enough, the Vikings out did themselves in game two.  Valley City State tallied 15 hits in the second game, but the Golden Eagles worked out of several jams leaving the Vikings stranding 11 runners in a 4-2 victory.

Boychuk led the offense this time, hitting three for four at the plate while Cyndi Figol, Nelson, Pettit, Stephanie Lahey and Hayley Bevan all collected two hits each.

Katie McBride picked up the victories in each game.  In game one she surrendered only three hits in the five inning shutout.  In game two, Crookston collected six base knocks and one earned run as McBride pitched all seven for the Vikings.  For the day she collected eight strikeouts and walked three.

Valley City State moves back above .500 on the season to 18-17 overall.  They will host another NCAA Division II opponent on Thursday when former DAC member Minot State visits for a 2 and 4 pm doubleheader at the VCSU College Complex.