– VCSU Friday Softball Basketball Resullts

ABERDEEN, S.D. (VCSU) – The Valley City State softball team rallied from a 5-0 deficit in the final two innings Friday, scoring a come-from-behind 6-5 win in their season opener.

VCSU scored five runs in the sixth inning and one in the seventh to earn a 6-5 victory over Dordt University at the Presentation College Dome Classic. In the second game of the day, the Vikings were shut out in a 6-0 loss to No. 20 Morningside College.

Valley City State is now 1-1 to start the season. The Vikings will play two more games Saturday in Aberdeen.

Up next: Valley City State is back in action Saturday with two more games at the Presentation College Dome. VCSU faces Briar Cliff at 10 a.m. and Dakota Wesleyan at 2 p.m.

VCSU 6, Dordt University 5
Valley City State rallied from a 5-0 deficit in the final two innings Friday, scoring a come-from-behind 6-5 win in their season opener.

VCSU trailed 5-0 and was being no-hit before breaking through for five runs in the top of the sixth inning. In the seventh, Autumn Perry‘s RBI groundout scored Marissa Hawkins for the game-winning run – capping a swift and stunning comeback.

Dordt starting pitcher Abby Kraemer shut the Vikings down with an impressive performance through the first five innings. Kremer struck out the first nine batters she faced and had a no-hitter through five innings.

The Vikings finally came alive with a 5-run sixth inning. VCSU sent nine batters to the plate, finishing the inning with five runs on four hits and two Dordt errors. Hawkins started the inning with a single – breaking up Kraemer’s no-hitter. Andrea Rodriguez followed with a single and Makenzee Stone doubled home Hawkins to put VCSU on the board. Joelle Aiello had the big hit with a 2-run triple, and Riley Perryman capped the rally with a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 5-5.

VCSU pitcher Emily Smith came on for the bottom of the sixth inning and struck out the side. In the seventh, Hawkins singled to lead off the inning and then moved up to third after a bunt and a single. She then scored on Perry’s groundout, putting the Vikings ahead 6-5.

Smith set the Defenders down in order in the seventh, finishing a perfect two innings in relief. Smith earned the win for VCSU, striking out four and allowing no hits in her two innings of work.

Joelle Lamontagne started in the circle for VCSU and took a no-decision allowing five hits and three earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. She walked only one and struck out three. Amber Stewart pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief, striking out two while allowing three runs and two hits. Dordt scored three runs in the fourth inning and two in the fifth to build its 5-0 lead.

Hawkins went 2-for-3 with two runs, while Stone was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Perry and Aiello both added two RBIs in the victory.

It was VCSU’s first game of the season while Dordt had already played three games prior on Thursday night and Friday morning.

Morningside College 6, VCSU 0
Morningside College scored four runs in the top of the first inning route to a 6-0 win over the Vikings.

The Vikings put plenty of balls in play – striking out only four times – but managed just two hits, one each by Joelle Aiello and Jessica Husband.

Morningside College finished with six runs on eight hits.

Amber Stewart started in the circle for VCSU, allowing four hits and three earned runs. Emily Smith pitched five innings in relief, giving up four hits and two earned runs. Smith walked one and struck out five. Joelle Lamontagne pitched one perfect inning as well.

Basketball…

Women…

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Bellevue’s Faith Ross hit a three-pointer with 11 seconds on the clock to seal a 54-50 Bruin victory over the Vikings Friday night.

Senior Maara Nelson matched her career-high Friday, scoring 20 points for the Vikings. She also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and recorded four steals in the game. Adriana Torres added 13 points while Macey Kvilvang added nine points and four blocks Friday.

Valley City State drops to 7-11 overall and 5-7 in the NSAA. Bellevue improves to 14-5 overall and 10-2 in the conference.

Bellevue started out with a big first quarter, going 5-for-6 on 3’s through the first ten minutes to hold an 18-10 advantage. Valley City State answered back and closed the second quarter on a 9-2 run to trail 29-27 at the half.

Coming out of the locker room, Valley City State scored the first seven straight points and maintained the lead throughout the opening seven minutes. Over the last 2:48, the Bruins took seven straight points to lead the Vikings at the end of the third quarter, 44-42.

The Vikings tied things up at 48-all on a bucket from Maara Nelson followed by a three-point play from Adriana Torres with 5:52 on the clock. Trailing 51-48, Nelson hit a pair of free throws to close the gap to two points with 40 seconds to go. The Vikings couldn’t get a stop as Bellevue’s Faith Ross hit a three-pointer with 11 seconds to go, locking in the 54-50 win over Valley City State.

Valley City State shot 35 percent from the field (18-51), 30 percent on 3’s (6-20), and 62 percent on free throws (8-13). Bellevue shot 33 percent on field goals (19-57), 33 percent on three-pointers (8-24), and 50 percent from the free throw line (8-16).

The teams were evenly matched Friday with VCSU holding a 34-33 rebounding advantage. VCSU also recorded 18 turnovers while Bellevue tallied 17.

Faith Ross led Bellevue with 15 points Friday.

UP NEXT: Valley City State hosts Dakota State on Saturday afternoon for Senior Day. The women’s game is scheduled to tip at 3 p.m. with the men to follow at 5 p.m. Seniors Macey Kvilvang and Maara Nelson will be recognized at halftime of the men’s game.

Men…

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Bellevue University shot 74 percent in the second half Friday night, outscoring Valley City State 50-38 over the final 20 minutes en route to an 89-77 men’s basketball victory.

The two teams entered the night tied for second place in the North Star Athletic Association standings, and were tied 39-39 at halftime. The second half belonged to the Bruins though as they created easy shots and outscored the Vikings by 12 points down the stretch.

Valley City State drops to 16-6 overall and 7-5 in the North Star Athletic Association. Bellevue University improves to 16-12 overall and 8-4 in the NSAA. The Bruins move into sole possession of second place in the NSAA standings, remaining one game back of conference leader Mayville State.

Eric Pierce posted a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead Bellevue’s attack. Michael Wright added 17 points and Jaylen Wiltz scored 16.

Valley City State was led by 19 points and five rebounds by Jalen Addison. Kevin Schramm scored 14 and Joshua Kelly added 11 for VCSU.

The Vikings shot 47 percent overall (33-70), 24 percent on 3’s (4-17)and 58 percent at the line (7-12). Bellevue University blistered the nets in the second half and finished the game shooting 63 percent overall (31-49), 41 percent in the second half (7-17) and 77 percent on free throws (20-26).

Up next: Valley City State hosts Dakota State on Saturday. The women’s game tips at 3 p.m. with the men to follow at 5 p.m. It is Senior Night for VCSU as they recognize basketball seniors Macey Kvilvang, Maara Nelson and Connor Entzi.

Bellevue University travels to Dickinson State for a doubleheader Saturday.