BALDWIN CITY, KAN. – The Valley City State softball concluded its season with a 12-9 loss to (RV) Indiana University-Southeast after a sixth inning comeback effort by the Grenadiers Tuesday in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round hosted by Baker University.
 
The Vikings tallied 17 hits in the game, led by Sierra Crocker who went 5-for-5 with a 3-run home run in the first inning.
 
Ashlynne Copinga added four hits, scored two runs and drove in two. Copinga has now scored 71 runs in 2023, setting a new single-season record. The Vikings finish the season with a 28-23 record overall.
 
VCSU built a 5-2 lead after the first inning with the help of Crocker's blast to left-center field. The Vikings added three more runs in the third inning with Riley Perryman's sacrifice fly and a 2-run single from Marissa Hawkins. 
 
Copinga later drove in Maddy Zander in the sixth inning to hold a 9-2 lead before the Grenadiers found a 10-run rally in the sixth inning – including a 2-run double by Erin Templeman – to complete the comeback effort and take the 12-9 victory.
 
Zander, Hawkins and Andrea Rodriguez each added two hits for the Vikings. Hawkins added three RBI, while Perryman and Alyssa DePoorter each drew a pair of walks.
 
Joelle Lamontagne started in the circle and pitched five complete innings. She allowed eight runs on eight hits and walked four. Zander got the loss in the circle after pitching one inning in relief. She allowed four runs on four hits while walking two and striking out one.
 
Issy Wright led Indiana-Southeast with three hits, two runs and three RBI. Hannah Nunemaker picked up the win after pitching four relief innings, allowing one run on six hits and striking out two.