TUCSON, ARIZ. – The Valley City State softball team split their first day at the Tucson Invitational Games Thursday.

The Vikings defeated Mount Marty College 7-5 after a seven-run rally in the sixth inning for the comeback win.

Valley City State then fell to (RV)Madonna University in five innings, 10-0.

VCSU head coach Mark Mattson said he's proud of the effort his team continues to show, and he came away from the day feeling good about the team's offensive approach.

"We're doing some really nice things in the box right now, and our approach at the plate is really good," said Mattson. "They look like they're not intimidated by anybody right now."

The Vikings are now 4-10 overall this season. Valley City State continues play at the Tucson Invitational Games Friday at 12 p.m. as they face Northwestern College. Valley City State then takes on Jarvis Christian College at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Valley City State 7, Mount Marty 5
The Lancers held the Vikings scoreless through the first six innings Thursday, building a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

The sixth inning Viking rally started with a single to center from Renee Snyder. Sydney Soulis then advanced Snyder to second base with a sacrifice bunt. A double from Autumn Perry scored Snyder, followed by a double from Joelle Aiello to score Perry.

After a pitching change for Mount Marty, Sierra Crocker reached on a single and advanced Aiello to third. Marissa Hawkins followed with an RBI single to score Aiello. Riley Perryman then reached on a Lancer error to load the bases for Keana Harmon who smashed a triple to drive in three runs for the Vikings.

Harmon scored the Vikings' final run of the inning on a Mount Marty error, bringing Valley City State ahead 7-4.

Mount Marty would score one run in the top of the seventh inning but could not come back as the Vikings took the win with a final score of 7-5.

Joelle Lamontagne started in the circle and took the win for the Vikings, pitching six innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out one. Amber Stewart picked up the save for Valley City State, pitching one inning, giving up one run and one hit while walking two and striking out one.

Marissa Hawkins had two hits for the Vikings. Keana Harmon recorded three RBIs Thursday while Perry, Aiello, Hawkins, and Madison Gronau each added one RBI.

Rylee Denomy started for Mount Marty, giving up three runs on four hits and struck out seven in 5.1 innings. Maureena Vornhagen took the loss for the Lancers, pitching 0.2 innings and giving up four runs on three hits and striking out two.

Karlee Arnold went 3-for-3, including a home run and two RBIs for the Lancers.

Madonna 10, Valley City State 0
The Vikings then dropped their second game of the day, falling to Madonna 10-0 in five innings.

Madonna scored seven runs on six hits and one Viking error in the second inning to take the early advantage. The Crusaders scored another three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the 10-0 lead. Valley City State could not stay alive in the bottom of the fifth, falling to the 10-run rule for the loss.

Amber Stewart started in the circle and took the loss for the Vikings, pitching two innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits and walking one. Jami Nalley also pitched two innings, giving up two runs on five hits and walked one.

Joelle Aiello, Riley Perryman, and Jayme Menard each tallied a hit for the Vikings.

Alyssa Fessenden pitched the complete game shutout for Madonna, giving up three hits, walking three, and striking out three.

Veronica Pezzoni went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Crusaders while Emma Sikina went 2-for-2 with one RBI. Sarah Holton added two RBIs for Madonna.