DICKINSON, N.D. – Valley City State softball scored 12 runs and smashed 16 hits in a 12-10 victory over Dickinson State Saturday afternoon to advance in the winner's bracket of the NSAA Tournament.
 
VCSU and Dickinson traded leads early in the game, but the Vikings erased a 7-5 deficit with six runs in the fourth inning – including 2-run singles from Andrea Rodriguez and Ashlyn Diemert – to take the lead they would hold onto the rest of the way.

Valley City State improves to 26-21 overall and advances in the winner's bracket to face top-seeded Bellvue (40-10) on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT in Dickinson.
 
The Vikings ended Dickinson's 11-game winning streak to send the Blue Hawks to a loser's-out game this evening against No. 5 Viterbo. First pitch will be approximately 7:45 p.m. CT.
 
VCSU held a 12-8 advantage going into the seventh inning when Dickinson State threatened the Vikings with Dallis Mitchell's 2-out, 2-run double to close the gap to 12-10. The Blue Hawks then drew a pair of walks to load the bases, but pitcher Marissa Hawkins worked out of the jam to end the game as Dickinson left three runners stranded.
 
VCSU collected 16 base-hits to bring around 12 runs, including 13 singles and three doubles. Ashlyn Diemert led the offensive effort with three hits including a double and four RBI for the Vikings.
 
Marissa Hawkins and Sierra Crocker each added two hits, a double and two RBI in the game. Andrea Rodriguez, Ashlynne Copinga, Riley Perryman and Maddy Zander each scored a pair of runs for VCSU.

Joelle Lamontagne worked 2 and 1/3 innings after starting in the circle for the Vikings. Maddy Zander pitched one inning in relief, while Hawkins picked up her second-straight victory after pitching 3 and 2/3 innings in relief.

Mitchell led the Blue Hawks with two doubles, a triple and drove in a game-high five runs. Madeline Peralta added two hits, a double, three walks and two RBI.

Ari Martinez got the loss in the circle after pitching 2 and 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits. Mitchell got the start and tossed 1 and 1/3 innings, and Alexa Kappel worked the final 2 and 1/3 innings.