DICKINSON, N.D. ­– The Valley City State baseball team had its season come to an end Sunday morning, dropping a loser-out game to Dickinson State University at the NSAA Baseball Tournament.
 
Zach Veneman hit a 2-run home run and Daniel Alvarado gave the Vikings a solid start on the mound but it wasn't enough as VCSU dropped the game, 5-2.
 
Valley City State ends its season with a 13-34 overall record. The entered the tournament as the No. 7 seed and went 1-2, defeating No. 6 seed Viterbo in a loser-out game on Saturday.
 
Dickinson State (22-27) advances to player another loser-out game Sunday night at 7 p.m. MDT.
 
Dickinson starting pitcher Trent Richter gave the Blue Hawks seven strong innings on the mound, keeping the Vikings scoreless through six innings.
 
The Blue Hawks scored three runs in the fifth inning and two more in the seventh, and then kept VCSU's bats cool down the stretch to advance in the tournament.
 
Both Richter and VCSU starter Daniel Alvarado were on cruise control through the early innings, not allowing a run or a hit through the first four frames. Dickinson State broke through with three runs in the top of the fifth – highlighted by a two-run triple off the bat of Keanu Calamayan.
 
The Blue Hawks pushed the lead to 5-0 in the seventh inning on a two-out, two-run double by Dawson Cortese.
 
Richter had a no-hitter through six innings for the Blue Hawks. VCSU's Zach Veneman broke up the no-hitter with a no-doubt two-run home run over the center-field fence, trimming the Blue Hawk lead to 5-2. The Vikings threatened for more later in the inning but had a runner thrown out at the plate to end the scoring threat.
 
After Veneman's home run, Ryan Reynolds drew a walk and was on first base with two outs when Tory Nelson lined a double down the left-field line. Reynolds appeared to make contact with an umpire as he rounded third base, causing him to stumble on his way home. The throw home was in time and Reynolds was called out for the third out of the inning. After a conference of the three umpires, the call was allowed to stand – ending VCSU's rally.
 
Dickinson State's Richie Cortese and Gabe Lundbeck both pitched a scoreless inning in relief to close out the victory over the final two innings.
 
The teams combined for just five total hits in the game. Richter allowed two hits and two runs over his seven innings for the Blue Hawks. He walked four and struck out three.
 
Alvarado went 6 1/3 innings for VCSU, giving up just two hits and five runs – four of which were earned. He walked five and struck out one. Keeton Clark and Harrison Metz both had scoreless relief appearances for the Vikings.
 
Calamayan and Dawson Cortese each had a hit and two RBIs for the Blue Hawks. Jacob Clinton scored a run and collected the final hit.
 
Veneman's home run highlighted VCSU's offensive effort. Tory Nelson had VCSU's other hit, a double to the left-field corner.