COLUMBIA, MO. – Emily Smith pitched a complete game Monday afternoon as the Valley City State softball team started the NAIA Softball Championship Opening Round with a 2-1 victory over Madonna University (Mich.).

The top-seeded Vikings manufactured just enough offense for Smith, who was dominant throughout the day and allowed only three hits while striking out eight. Two-out RBI singles by Jayme Menard and Joelle Aiello pushed across VCSU's two runs.

Valley City State, the No. 1 seed in the four-team bracket, advances to play No. 2 seed Columbia (Mo.) in a winner's bracket game Tuesday at 10 a.m. Columbia defeated No. 3 seed Brenau University 4-0 on Monday. The winner of VCSU and Columbia will earn a spot in the championship on Wednesday.

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On Monday, Smith and Madonna's Madisen Henry were locked in a scoreless pitcher's duel through four innings, getting some great defensive play behind them. The Vikings finally broke through with a single run in the top of the fifth. Jayme Menard's two-out RBI single scored Kadie Anderson from third base, putting the Vikings ahead 1-0.

Valley City State added a big insurance run in the top of the seventh. Kadie Anderson opened the inning with a single and then was lifted for pinch runner Nichole Reed, who moved to second base on a groundout. Joelle Aiello delivered a two-out RBI single and Reed scored from second base, avoiding the tag with a nice hook slide at home plate.

That run proved to be vital as Madonna's Kerstyn Comerzan would hit a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, cutting VCSU's lead to 2-1. That was the only blemish against Smith, who settled in to strike out pinch hitter Yogi Hang to end the game.

Smith gave up just three hits in the complete game and earned her 32nd win of the season. She did not walk a batter and struck out eight. Henry took the loss for Madonna after giving up six hits and two runs over her seven innings. She walked one and struck out three.

Anderson was 2-for-3 and scored a run for the Vikings. Aiello and Menard each collected a hit and an RBI, while Autumn Perry and Smith each had one hit as well.

Comerzan's home run was the highlight for Madonna's offense. Sarah Holton and Makayla Bassage each had a hit.

Up next: Valley City State (52-3) plays Columbia (Mo.) in a winner's bracket game Tuesday at 10 a.m.