February 10, 2019
ABERDEEN, S.D. – No. 25-ranked Valley City State (N.D.) scored at least a run in six of the seven innings Sunday afternoon, rolling to a 13-4 non-conference softball victory over Dakota State (S.D.) at the Presentation (S.D.) Softball Dome.
The Trojans fell to 1-1 overall record. The Vikings, the coaches' favorite to win the North Star Athletic Association conference league title, finished the weekend with a perfect 4-0 record.
Marissa Hawkins blasted a 3-run home run to give VCSU a 3-0 lead in the opening inning.
The Vikings made it 4-0 in the top third frame, thanks to a double by Voni Culp followed by Emily Smith's RBI single.
Tatum Ronke smashed a lead-off home run to start the bottom third inning, scoring the first run for the Trojans (DSU trailed 4-1). It was her 13th career home runs at Dakota State (currently fourth all-time).
Peyton Brokiewicz added a solo home run with one out as the Trojans trimmed the Vikings' lead to 4-2 in the bottom third. It was her 15th career home run at DSU (currently third all-time).
DSU continues its scoring attack in the bottom third inning as Kailee McFadden hit a single. She swiped to second base and then third base. Nicole Stewart produced an RBI single to score McFadden as the Trojans trailed 4-3. Dakota State was unable to add more runs as they left runners full by the end of the third inning.
Valley City State extended their lead to 5-3 after an RBI single by Kena Harmon in the top fourth.
The Vikings exploded for five runs in the top fifth, highlighted by Tatum Lundin's 3-run home run to make it 10-3.
VCSU added a run in the top sixth frame to make it 11-3.
Dakota State extended the game into the seventh inning to avoid the eight-run mercy rule after producing a run in the bottom sixth. Taylor Poe reached safely on base with one out after an error committed by the Vikings. Ronke reached on base by a walk and advanced Poe to second base. Quincy Bates added a single to set up a bases loaded situation for DSU.
Brokiewicz hit an RBI single to score Poe as the Trojans trailed 11-4 in the bottom sixth frame.
Valley City State scored two more runs in the top seventh. Hawkins hit her second home run of the game to make it 12-4 in favor of the Vikings. Harmon added an RBI single to score Lundin, who hit a double. VCSU led 13-4 after the top seventh.
Dakota State was unable to come back in the final inning as the Vikings secured the win.
Brokiewicz went 2-of-4 at the plate with a home run, single and drove in two runs for DSU. Ronke added a home run and an RBI. Stewart had two singles and an RBI. McFadden, Melissa Krapf and Bates each recorded a hit. McFadden swiped two bases.
Hawkins hit two home runs in the game and produced a game-high five runs for VCSU. Lundin added a home run, double, single and registered three RBIs. Smith had a double, two singles and three RBIs. Harmon had two hits and two RBIs.
VCSU outhit DSU 12-8 in the game. The Trojans left eight runners on base compared to the Vikings four runners left on base.
Stefani Gollin (L, 0-1) recorded the loss, despite pitching a complete game for Dakota State. She allowed 13 runs (one unearned) on 12 hits. She struck out seven VCSU's batters.
Smith (W, 3-0) earned the win after working for 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits. She recorded four strikeouts. Emilee Wilson worked for 4 1/3 innings in relief, allowing one run on four hits and struck out five DSUs batters. Jami Nalley worked for one out. She gave up one run on one hit.
Dakota State closes out the tournament Sunday versus another ranked opponent, No. 24 Jamestown (N.D.).
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
