LA CROSSE, WIS – The Valley City State softball team finished its series at Viterbo Saturday splitting the doubleheader, taking the first game 8-2 as Maddy Zander pitched a complete game with a career-best nine strikeouts.
 
VCSU later fell 4-3 to the V-Hawks in the series finale. VCSU finishes the weekend 3-1 against Viterbo. The Vikings improve to 13-18 overall and 7-4 in the conference. Viterbo is now 7-20 on the season and 3-11 in the NSAA.
 
The Vikings are slated to play a conference doubleheader at Mayville State on Wednesday, April 12, pending field conditions.
 
VCSU 8, Viterbo 2
The Vikings defeated the V-Hawks 8-2 in the first game of the day, highlighted by a strong pitching performance from Maddy Zander. The righty held the V-Hawks scoreless through 6 and 2/3 innings while tallying a career-high nine strikeouts.
 
VCSU's offense was led by Riley Perryman who went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in four of VCSU's eight runs. Sierra Crocker added two hits and drove in a run for VCSU, and Ashlynne Copinga swiped the plate three times.
 
Viterbo's Julie Woodman got the loss after starting in the circle and working 5 innings. She allowed seven runs on nine hits and walked six batters. Sydney Haakenson had a hit and scored a run for Viterbo.
 
Viterbo 4, VCSU 3
Viterbo's Morgan James posted a pair of two-run singles in the first two innings to take a lead they wouldn't give up in the second game of the day.
 
VCSU managed to close the gap as Perryman, Crocker and Ashlyn Diemert each drove in a run but the Vikings fell short of the comeback.
 
Diemert finished with three hits, a run and an RBI to lead the Vikings. Joelle Lamotagne got the loss in the circle after pitching a complete game. She allowed four runs on 10 hits and struck out three.
 
Viterbo's Morgan Fuhrer got the win, also tossing a complete game Saturday. She allowed three runs on five hits, walked two and struck out three.