March 29, 2026

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Dakota State softball dropped both ends of a Frontier Conference doubleheader to Valley City State (N.D.) on Sunday, falling 8-0 in the first game before a 14-6 defeat in the nightcap (both games ended in five innings).  The Vikings completed the conference four-game series sweep of the Trojans.

Dakota State fell to 7-19 overall record and 1-7 Frontier Conference record.  Valley City State improved to 16-13 overall record and 6-2 record in the league.
  Game 1: Valley City State 8, Dakota State 0 – FINAL/5 innings

Valley City State used timely hitting and capitalized on Dakota State miscues to secure a run-rule victory in the opener.

The Vikings broke through in the second inning, scoring twice—one run coming on a defensive error and another on an RBI groundout. They added a run in the third before pulling away with a three-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Katelyn MacNeill and a sacrifice fly by Madden Bogenreif. Valley City State capped the scoring with two more runs in the fifth.

Dakota State managed just one hit in the contest, a fourth-inning single by Gabrielle Ortega-Alves, and struck out seven times against Maddy Hazelton.

Key Performances

• DSU: Gabrielle Ortega-Alves – 1-for-2
• VCSU: Katelyn MacNeill – 2-for-3, 3 RBIs; Kennadi Stone – 2 RBIs

Pitching

• Grace Kitterman (DSU): 3 2/3 innings, 4 hits, 6 runs (5 earned runs)
• Makenna McGee (DSU): 1 inning, 2 runs
• Maddy Hazelton (VCSU): 5 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 7 strikeouts

Game 1 Totals

• Dakota State: 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors
• Valley City State: 8 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors

Game 2: Valley City State 14, Dakota State 6 – FINAL/5 innings

The nightcap featured an offensive surge from both teams, but Valley City State's power at the plate proved decisive.

The Vikings jumped ahead early with a two-run home run by Kylee Banerd in the first inning and continued to build their lead with runs in each of the first four innings. Banerd delivered a monster performance, blasting three home runs and driving in seven runs.

Dakota State responded in the fifth inning with a six-run outburst. Emmalynn Rabe sparked the rally with a two-run triple, followed by an RBI double from Julia Maldonado. Quincy Hartley then launched a three-run home run to pull DSU within 8-5.

However, Valley City State answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning with six runs, including a three-run homer from Madden Bogenreif and another two-run blast by Banerd to seal the game.
Key Performances

• DSU:
  • Quincy Hartley – 1-for-3, home run, 3 RBIs
  • Emmalynn Rabe – 1-for-3, triple, 2 RBIs
  • Hannah McFarland – 2-for-3
• VCSU:
  • Kylee Banerd – 4-for-4, 3 HR, 7 RBI
  • Madden Bogenreif – 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
  • Avery Kuklinski – 2-for-3, 3 RBI

Pitching

• Maycee Bricker (DSU): 2 2/3 innings, 5 runs
• Mason Usselman (DSU): 1/3 inning, 3 runs
• Makenna McGee (DSU): 1 1/3 innings, 5 runs
• Cooper Klaahsen (VCSU): 4 2/3 innings, 6 runs, 7 strikeouts

Game 2 Totals

• Dakota State: 6 runs, 6 hits, 2 errors
• Valley City State: 14 runs, 14 hits, 0 errors

Up Next

Dakota State continues their busy Frontier Conference schedule as they play their first home games of the season Monday afternoon at Thue Field.  The Trojans welcome Bellevue (Neb.) in a doubleheader, starting at 2 p.m.