TUCSON, ARIZ. – The Valley City State softball team opened its spring trip with a pair of victories on Thursday, extending its winning streak to 14 games.

The Vikings appeared to show no rust from their 10-day layoff, edging Bethel College in a 3-1 pitcher's duel to start the day in Tucson, Ariz., and then erupting for 13 runs in a 13-0 shutout of Dakota Wesleyan.

The No. 25-ranked Vikings improved their record to 14-0 so far this season, which is the best start in program history.

"It was great to see our team pick up where they left off two weeks ago," said head coach Michael Mook. "Our three seniors – Kadie, Tatum and Voni – have done a really good job of making sure that our team shows up every day and does what we need to do.

"We have a group of players that are ultra driven to be successful and it's really showing up on the field," he said. "It is fun to show up to the diamond each day and see all the hard work they've put in pay off."

Up next: Valley City State (14-0) plays two more games on Friday against Madonna University (12 p.m. CST) and Concordia University (2:30 p.m.).

VCSU 3, Bethel College 1
Valley City State scored all of its runs in the bottom of the third inning, but that's all the Vikings would need in a 3-1 win over Bethel College (Ind.).

Pitchers Emily Smith and Emilee Wilson combined to allow just one run over seven innings as they helped VCSU win its first outdoor game of the season.

VCSU senior Tatum Lundin led off the bottom of the third inning with her 21st career home run, giving the Vikings a 1-0 lead and tying the school record for career home runs held by Cejay Hilhorst and Kelli Unrein. Joelle Aiello then came in to score on a groundout, and Voni Culp capped the three-run inning when she crossed the plate on Riley Perryman's RBI single.

Bethel College got one run back in the top of the fourth, but Emily Smith picked up a critical strikeout to end the inning and leave two runners on. Bethel also threatened in the top of the seventh against Emilee Wilson, but Bethel's Shelby Prows lined out to center fielder Tatum Lundin, who then doubled off a runner for a game-ending double play.

Smith earned the win after starting and pitching 5 1/3 innings. She scattered five hits, struck out 10 and gave up one run. Wilson picked up the save, pitching the final 1 2/3 innings and giving up just one hit.

Joelle Aiello went 2-for-3 with a run scored for VCSU, and five other Vikings had one hit each. Lundin, Smith and Perryman each picked up RBIs.

VCSU 13, Dakota Wesleyan 0
The Vikings erupted for 14 hits and 13 runs in the second game of the day, defeated Dakota Wesleyan for the third time this season.

Three different Viking pitchers combined on the three-hit shutout. Emily Smith pitched the first three innings for the Vikings, while Jami Nalley threw the fourth inning and Amber Stewart pitched the fifth.

Valley City State opened the scoring with a single run in the second inning. Kadie Anderson drew a two-out walk and then advanced to third on Tatum Lundin's single. The pair then successfully executed a double steal with Anderson crossing home plate for the first run of the game.

The Vikings broke the game wide open with 10 runs in the top of the third inning, including RBI hits from Voni Culp, Renee Snyder, Lundin, Joelle Aiello and Riley Perryman. VCSU tacked on two more runs in the fourth for the final score of 13-0. The game ended after five innings due to run-rule.

Six different Vikings had two hits each in the game. Aiello was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Culp finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of runs and three RBIs. Renee Snyder batted 2-for-3 with a run and RBI. Riley Perryman was 2-for-4, scored once and drove in one. Keana Harmon collected two hits in two plate appearances, and Lundin finished 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI.

Culp, Harmon and Aiello each had a double in the game, part of a 14-hit attack by the Vikings.