Game 1
Valley City State Holds Off Dickinson State for 5-3 Victory
Dickinson, N.D. — Valley City State University used timely hitting and a solid effort from the circle to secure a 5-3 road win over Dickinson State on Friday afternoon.
After falling behind early, the Vikings rallied in the third inning when Kylee Banerd delivered a clutch two-run single to tie the game at 2-2. Makenzee Stone and Ashlyn Diemert fueled the comeback, each scoring after reaching base with key hits. Valley City State then took the lead in the fourth inning behind Stone's RBI single and a Diemert double that brought her home, pushing the advantage to 4-2.
Dickinson State struck first in the bottom of the second, scoring two runs off back-to-back RBI hits from Cassidy Venner and HaiLeigh Davis. The Blue Hawks added another run in the fifth when Bailey Hansen singled in Celina Wilharm to trim the deficit to 4-3, but Valley City responded quickly.
In the top of the sixth, Banerd came through again, roping a double to right center that plated Stone for her third RBI of the game and extended the lead to 5-3. Banerd finished the day 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, while Diemert went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.
Maddy Zander earned the win for Valley City State, pitching five innings and allowing three earned runs on seven hits. Madison Hazelton closed the door with two scoreless innings of relief.
Despite out-hitting their opponent 10-7, the Blue Hawks couldn't capitalize late, stranding eight runners on base.
Game 2
Blue Hawks Bounce Back to Earn Split with Gritty 5-4 Win
The Blue Hawks responded with resilience and energy in Game 2, edging Valley City State 5-4 in a back-and-forth battle to earn a well-deserved split in Friday's NSAA doubleheader.
Fueled by timely hitting and heads-up base running, the Blue Hawks jumped ahead in the third inning. Celina Wilharm opened the scoring with an RBI single before Brooke Lijewski added another knock to drive in Allyson Farrington, giving Dickinson State a 2-0 lead.
The Blue Hawks extended their advantage in the fourth, as Farrington came through again with a clutch two-RBI single to center, scoring HaiLeigh Davis and Cassidy Venner to make it 4-0. Farrington finished the game with two hits and three RBIs to lead the offense.
After Valley City plated three in the top of the fifth to cut the deficit to one, the Blue Hawks answered with a crucial insurance run in the bottom half. Kara Conway reached on a misplayed ball in center that allowed Jessa Duggan to score, pushing the lead to 5-3.
The Vikings would add a run in the top of the seventh inning to stress the Blue Hawks, thanks to a crucial triple by Kennadi Stone.
With strong team effort and late-game composure, Dickinson State improves its footing in the conference standings to 12-2 while Valley City drops to 7-7 in NSAA play.
Head Coach Kristen Fleury
We knew coming into this weekend that we were going to have to battle. Every pitch and at bat were going to be important. In Game 1, we just never got things rolling like we are capable of. Valley City was ready and able to capitalize on a few things when we left the door open. I am proud of our team for finding a way to get the win in game two. Its days like today that are going to help us as we get closer to the postseason. When things aren't clicking or going the way you are used to, can you find a way to get a win, we were able to do that in the second game.