Box Score MINOT, N.D. – Maddy Zander pitched a complete game and allowed just one run as the Valley City State softball team defeated Dickinson State 5-1 Sunday morning in its conference series finale.
 
The right-hander allowed just four hits and struck out six to help the VCSU win. VCSU went 2-1 on the weekend to open conference play and improves to 8-15 on the season. Dickinson State drops to 1-2 in conference play and 6-16 overall.
 
VCSU posted two runs in the first inning on an RBI single by Sierra Crocker and an RBI double from Marissa Hawkins. Ashlyn Diemert's two-run triple in the third inning lifted the Vikings to a 4-0 lead.
 
Dickinson's Ashlee Potter managed a solo home run in the third inning to score the Blue Hawks' only run, and a sac fly from Andrea Rodriguez scored VCSU's final run in the game.
 
Crocker led the Vikings at the plate, going 3-for-4 and driving in a run. Hawkins, Diemert and Makenzee Stone each had two hits. Hawkins and Stone each doubled while Diemert added a triple for the Vikings.
 
Dickinson's Dallis Mitchell got the loss after 7 innings of work, allowing five runs on 11 hits while walking two and striking out two.
 
UP NEXT: VCSU will travel to Bellevue University for a four-game series on April 1-2. The conference series was moved to Bellevue due to Valley City's current field conditions.