AUBURNDALE, FLA – Jacob Marx gave the Vikings six strong innings on the mound and Kellen Scruggs hit his third home run of the spring as Viking Baseball split a pair of games Monday in Florida.
 
Marx and Scruggs led the Vikings to a 5-2 win over Mount Vernon Nazarene in Monday’s opener. In the nightcap, VCSU dropped a 10-1 game to Concordia University (Neb.) – a team that is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll. 
 
VCSU moves its record to 7-8 overall and is now 3-2 on its spring trip to Florida. The Vikings have Tuesday off before resuming games on Wednesday. Valley City State will play six games in the next four days to wrap up the trip.
 
VCSU 5, Mount Vernon Nazarene 2
Jacob Marx started on the mound and gave up just four hits and two runs over his six innings of work. He walked two and struck out five. After a walk to start the seventh inning, Takao Cookson took over and eventually worked out of a bases-loaded jam, getting a fly out and strikeout to seal the victory earn a save.
 
Scruggs started the scoring with an RBI double in the top of the first inning, plating Jaden Babiuk who had reached with a two-out single. After MVNU tied the game in the second inning, the Vikings took the lead for good with a three-run third inning. Dustin Mertz and Babiuk started the rally with a pair of singles, and both eventually scored on a grounder by Cam Pero. Hunter Logan capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to give VCSU a 4-1 lead.
 
The Vikings tacked on an insurance run in the fifth inning as Scruggs led off with a solo home run to center field – his third home run this season. VCSU finished with eight hits and one error. MVNU tallied five hits and one error as well.
 
Scruggs finished 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Babiuk went 2-for-4 at the plate and scored a pair of runs. Mertz, Cam Pero, Judson Seliskar and Jamel Chabot all had a hit for VCSU.
 
Concordia 10, VCSU 1
Game two of the split doubleheader was scoreless through three innings before Concordia took control with one run in the fourth and then a six-run fifth inning to break things wide open.
 
VCSU managed just five hits in the loss, getting a double from Jamel Chabot and singles by Hunter Logan, Anthony Madsen, Cam Pero and Kellen Scruggs.
 
Jacob Hendrickson started and took the loss for VCSU, pitching four innings. He allowed two hits and three runs, walked two and struck out five. Eli Chabot, Garrett Dykstra and Bendan Berk all pitched in relief. Dyksta worked 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and three runs – none of which were earned – while striking out four.
 
VCSU committed three errors in the loss. Concordia scored its 10 runs on just seven hits but took advantage of VCSU’s three errors along with five walks and two hit batters.