March 28, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – Valley City State (N.D.) completed their North Star Athletic Association softball four-game series sweep of Dakota State (S.D.) Friday afternoon, earning 12-2 and 10-2 victories at Thue Field.

Dakota State fell to 4-21 overall record and 0-4 NSAA conference record.  Valley City State lifted their overall record to 15-12 and 4-0 NSAA conference record.

The Trojans continue their eight-game home stand next weekend, hosting Jamestown (N.D.) in another North Star Athletic Association four-game series at Thue Field.  The doubleheader starts next Saturday (April 5) at 2 p.m., followed by another doubleheader next Sunday (April 6) at 12 p.m.

Game 1 – Valley City State (N.D.) 12, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL/5 innings

Valley City State outscored Dakota State 11-2 in the final three innings to take the third game of the four-game series.

Logan Gronberg smashed a solo home run with two outs in the top first inning to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.

The Vikings scored five runs in the top third inning, capped by a 3-run home run by Maddy Zander.  VCSU ballooned their lead to 6-0.

Gronberg added a 2-RBI double followed by Alyssa DePoorter's RBI single as Valley City State's lead grew to 9-0 in the top fourth frame.

The Trojans snapped their scoring drought with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning with two outs.  Torrence Clelland hit a single.  Julia Maldonado reached safely on base caused by VCSU's defensive error and advanced Clelland to second base.  Ally Morrissey hit a single to set up a bases loaded situation.

Hannah McFarland hit a 2-RBI single to score Clelland and Maldonado as DSU cut VCSU's lead to 9-2 in the bottom second.

With bases loaded situation in the top fifth, the Vikings scored three runs on the same play from Makenzee Stone and added two runs caused by DSU's defensive error.  VCSU's lead grew to 12-2.

Michelle Evdos drilled a lead-off double in the bottom fifth, extending her all-time school record to 57^th double for Dakota State.  The Trojans could not extend the game after leaving a runner on base, securing the victory for Valley City State.

VCSU outhit DSU 13-5 in the game.  The Trojans left seven runners on base compared to the Vikings four runners left on base.

McFarland had a single, two RBIs, and two walks for Dakota State.  Evdos added a double and a walk.  Morrissey recorded two singles.  Clelland had a single.  Alexis Ressenguie registered a walk.

Gronberg and Zander each led the Vikings with a home run, double, single, and drove in three runs. Kylee Banerd added a double, single, and two runs scored.  Stone collected two singles, RBI, and scored twice.   Katelyn MacNeill tallied two hits.  DePoorter had a single and an RBI.

Maycee Bricker (L, 3-4) recorded the setback in the pitching circle for DSU.  She worked for 2 2/3 innings and allowed six runs (two unearned) on five hits.  Analicia Burgos and Mason Usselman also pitched in relief.

Zander (W, 9-6) pitched a complete game victory for VCSU.  She gave up two unearned runs on five hits and registered six strikeouts.

Game 2 – Valley City State (N.D.) 10, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL/6 innings

Valley City State scored seven runs through the first two innings and never trailed for a 10-2 six-innings victory in the four-game series finale.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Vikings plated six runs in the top second inning.  Gronberg drilled a bases-clearing 3-RBI double, while Ashlyn Diemert added 2-RBI double to make it 7-0 in favor of VCSU.

The Trojans scored once in the bottom third inning.  Hannah Feser led off with a walk and advanced to third base after a pair of wild pitches committed by the Vikings.  Morrissey produced an RBI ground out to score Feser as DSU trailed 7-1.

Valley City State led 8-1 after the top fifth inning, while Dakota State answered with a run in the bottom fifth.  DSU set up a bases loaded situation as Clelland led off with a walk, followed by Feser's bunt single, and Morrissey's single.  McFarland hit an RBI fielder's choice to score Clelland as the Trojans cut the Vikings' lead to 8-2.

Banerd blasted a 2-run home run in the top sixth inning to widen VCSU's lead to 10-2.

Dakota State left two runners on base in the bottom sixth when the game ended, despite back-to-back walks from Evdos and Maldonado.

The Vikings registered eight hits in the game compared to the Trojans three hits.

Morrissey had a single and an RBI for Dakota State.  Feser added a single, run scored, and walk.  Maldonado had a single and a walk.  McFarland collected an RBI, stolen base, and a walk.  Evdos and Clelland each had a walk.

Gronberg recorded a double, single, and drove in four runs for Valley City State.  Banerd added a home run, walk, and two RBIs.  Diemert had a double, single, and two RBIs.  Avery Kiklinski recorded a hit and an RBI. 

Makenna McGee (L, 0-3) recorded the setback after tossing 1 2/3 innings for DSU.  She allowed seven unearned runs on four hits.  Bricker tossed 2 1/3 shutout innings in relief.  Burgos worked for two innings in relief.

Cooper Klaahsen started the game for VCSU and came back later in the game.  She finished the game by pitching 2 1/3 innings, scattering one hit.  Madison Hazelton (W, 4-2) earned the victory after tossing 3 2/3 innings in relief.  She allowed two runs on two hits and registered five strikeouts.