MINOT, N.D. – The Valley City State softball team lost a slugfest in its season opener Friday night, falling 16-10 against the University of Minnesota-Crookston.

The Vikings and Golden Eagles combined for 26 runs and 26 hits Friday night. It was the first of four games the Vikings will play this weekend at the Minot State University Dome Tournament.

Valley City State scored in each of the first four innings as the Vikings and Golden Eagles traded leads through the first four innings. The Vikings scored two in the first inning, three runs each in the second and third innings, and then added a single run in the fourth inning to take a 9-7 lead. Crookston had the answer to each Viking rally and took the lead for good at 10-9 after three runs in the fourth inning. The Golden Eagles broke the game open with six more runs in the fifth.

Jessica Husband and Alyssa DePoorter each blasted three hits to lead VCSU's offense. Husband went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two doubles, including a three-run double with the bases loaded in the second inning. DePoorter smashed three doubles in her Viking debut as she went 3-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and a walk. Five other Vikings had one hit each. Both Andrea Rodriguez and Riley Perryman had a hit and an RBI.

Joelle Lamontagne started in the circle and took the loss for VCSU after allowing nine hits and 10 runs – seven of which were earned. She walked three and struck out five in 3.2 innings. Brooke Gaudry pitched the final 2.1 innings, giving up six hits and six runs. Gaudry walked three and struck out six.

Up next: Valley City State is back in action Saturday in Minot, facing University of Mary at 9 a.m. and Minot State at 2 p.m.