DICKINSON, N.D. – The Valley City State baseball team split a doubleheader at Dickinson State on Wednesday, scoring two runs in the final inning of game two to secure a 10-8 victory.
Hunter Magnuson singled home Ryan Reynolds for the go-ahead run as VCSU's late rally capped a back-and-forth game that saw five lead changes and runs in six different innings.
The Vikings dropped game one, 12-0, before bouncing back with the victory in game two. Wednesday's game one loss was the first of the year for the Vikings. Valley City State now has a 5-1 overall record this fall.
Up next: The Vikings close out the fall season with 9-inning games against Jamestown and Mayville State. The Vikings play at Jamestown on Sunday and then host Mayville on Monday.
GAME 1: Dickinson State 12, VCSU 0
The Vikings dropped their first game of the season Wednesday at Dickinson, losing 12-0 in game one. Dickinson State scored nine runs in the second inning en route to the big victory.
Valley City State finished with six hits, including two by David Demeter.
William Hlady started on the mound and took the loss, allowing seven runs in 1 1/3 innings. Harrison Metz, Jace Hanson, Mitch Taylor and Wes Johnson all pitched in relief.
GAME 2: VCSU 10, Dickinson State 8
Freshman Hunter Magnuson had the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the seventh as Valley City State salvaged a split with a 10-8 win in game two.
Tied 8-8 entering the final inning, Ryan Reynolds drew a leadoff walk to start the rally for VCSU. Reynolds moved to second on a wild pitch and then scored on Magnuson's RBI single to left field, giving the Vikings a 9-8 lead. Zach Veneman followed with a double to put Magnuson on third, and then Magnuson scored on a wild pitch to make it 10-8.
VCSU pitcher Reed Butz set the Blue Hawks down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to secure the victory.
Butz picked up the win after pitching the final 4 1/3 innings. The left-hander scattered three hits and two runs, walked three and struck out five. Chase Feller pitched the first three innings for VCSU, allowing seven hits and six runs.
David Demeter hit a solo home run as he went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Drew Nixon also collected two hits and scored a run. Six other Vikings had one hit each as VCSU finished with 10 total hits.
The Vikings had leads of 3-0, 6-5 and 8-7 before putting the game away in the seventh inning.
