March 29, 2021

MADISON, S.D. – Valley City State's (N.D.) Emily Smith struck out 12 Dakota State (S.D.) batters in sparking to a 4-1 North Star Athletic Association softball victory Monday afternoon at Thue Field.  The Vikings completed their four-game series conference opener over the Trojans.

DSU fell to 6-14 overall record and 0-4 NSAA conference record.  VCSU, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, raised their overall record to 11-3 and 4-0 NSAA record.

Dakota State kicks off their 14-game road stretch Thursday with a non-conference doubleheader at Mount Marty (S.D.).  The first game is set for 3 p.m. at Riverside Park in Yankton, S.D.

The Trojans resume to their North Star Athletic Association action on Friday and Saturday, visiting Waldorf (Iowa) in a four-game series.

(RV) Valley City State (N.D.) 4, Dakota State (S.D.) 1 – FINAL

• Valley City State and Dakota State could not convert their scoring chances as they both ended the top and bottom halves with a caught stealing at home play.  The Vikings had a double from Sierra Crocker, while the Trojans had back-to-back singles by Sarah Torres and Rosie Philop.
• VCSU earned the first lead of the game in the top third frame with two runs scored.  Joelle Aiello was hit-by-pitch to start the inning.  Anne-Elise Gest followed up with a bunt single to advance Aiello to second base.
• Crocker produced a sacrifice bunt to advance Aiello to third base and Gest to second base.  The Vikings made it 1-0 as Marissa Hawkins hit an RBI ground out to score Aiello.
• Makenzee Stone extended VCSU's lead to 2-0 with an RBI single to score Gest.
• Hawkins recorded a walk with one out in the top fifth for the Vikings.  Stone followed up with a single to advance Hawkins to second base.  Autumn Perry hit a single with two outs to set up a bases loaded situation.
• Andrea Rodriguez produced an RBI walk to score Hawkins to give Valley City State a 3-0 lead in the top fifth frame.
• With bases loaded situation and two outs in the top sixth inning, Stone reached safely on base after DSU's defensive miscue as VCSU's lead grew to 4-0.
• Dakota State snapped its scoring drought in the bottom sixth as Alexus Foster led off with a solo home run blast, her first career collegiate home run at DSU.  The Trojans trailed 4-1 after six innings.
• DSU left a runner on second base as VCSU secured the victory in the final inning.
• Foster was 1-of-2 at the plate with a home run and collected an RBI for Dakota State.  Philop and Torres each added a single.  Torres reached on base by a walk.
• Rodriguez and Stone each led the Vikings' offense attack with three singles and an RBI each.  Crocker added a double and single.  Aiello also had a double.  Hawkins recorded a single and an RBI.  Perry and Gest each recorded a single.
• Valley City State outhit Dakota State 12-4 in the game.  The Vikings left 12 runners on base compared to the Trojans three runners left on base.
• Xitlali Lopez (L, 4-6) recorded the defeat after tossing five innings in the pitching circle for DSU.  She allowed three runs on nine hits and struck out six VCSU's batters.  Xotchil Lopez pitched two innings in relief, giving up an unearned run on three hits.
• Smith (W, 7-0) earned a complete game victory for VCSU.  She limited the Trojans to one run on four hits.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director