Dordt defeats Vikings, Game 2 VCSU 5 UJ 4

ABERDEEN, S.D. – VCSU senior Jayme Menard delivered a walk-off infield single Friday afternoon as the Valley City State softball team split its season openers at the Presentation College Dome Tournament.

Menard’s infield single scored Autumn Perry in the bottom of the seventh inning, securing a 5-4 victory over rival University of Jamestown in game two Friday. The Vikings dropped game one to Dordt College by a score of 4-2.

The Vikings, ranked No. 10 in the NAIA, are now 1-1 on the season.

Up next: VCSU continues play at the PC Dome Tournament on Saturday. The Vikings face No. 22 Morningside College at 10 a.m., and then conclude the tournament at 2 p.m. against Dakota Wesleyan University.

The Vikings built a 4-0 lead through the first four innings. Autumn Perry singled home Joelle Aiello for a 1-0 lead in the third, and then the Vikings loaded the bases in the fourth inning. Marissa Hawkins emptied the bases with a double to right field, allowing all three runners to round the bases and give the Vikings a 4-0 lead.

The Jimmies answered back to tie the game in the top of the fifth inning, putting together a four-run rally with six hits in the inning.

The Vikings would strike last though in the bottom of the seventh. Autumn Perry led off the inning with a walk, and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kailee Fraser. Perry took third on a wild pitch during Madison Gronau‘s at bat. With two outs, Menard grounded a two-strike pitch to third base and beat out the throw for an infield single, scoring Perry for the game-winning run.

Amber Stewart pitched a complete game to pick up the victory for VCSU. The senior right-hander was lights out until giving up the six hits and four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. She regrouped to hold the Jimmies scoreless over the final two innings. For the game, Stewart struck out nine and walked just one. She gave up eight hits and the four runs.

Menard went 3-for-3 with a run and RBI to lead the Viking offense. Hawkins was 1-for-3 with three RBIs, while Perry was 1-for-3 with a run and RBI. Joelle Aiello collected a hit and scored two runs. The Vikings finished with five runs on eight hits. VCSU did not commit an error in the game.

Dordt College 4, VCSU 2
The Vikings dropped the first game on Friday, losing a 4-2 contest to Dordt College. Five of the game’s six runs came on just two swings.

Dordt’s Hailey Heeringa hit a 3-run home run in the first inning, putting the Defenders ahead 3-0 early. Dordt added another run in the third inning.

With the Vikings trailing 4-0, VCSU’s Autumn Perry cut the lead in half in the seventh inning with a two-run home run over the right-center fence. The Vikings could get no closer though as they fell 4-2.

Freshman Joelle Lamontagne started in the circle for VCSU and took the tough loss. Lamontagne pitched well, scattering eight hits and four runs. She walked two and struck out three.

The Viking offense collected seven hits in the game. Perry finished 3-for-4 with a run and two RBIs. Sierra Crocker had two hits, while Keana Harmon and Jayme Menard each had one hit.