JAMESTOWN – The Valley City State softball team took a Thursday sweep over Viterbo in a conference doubleheader played in the Nelson Family Bubble on the University of Jamestown's campus.
 
VCSU used a big third inning in the series opener to defeat the V-Hawks 6-5. Logan Gronberg then solidified a win in game two with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Vikings a 4-1 lead they would hold onto the rest of the way. Gronberg also had a successful night in the pitcher's circle, picking up a pair of saves while allowing just one hit in four innings pitched.
 
VCSU improves to 14-15 on the season and 6-3 in conference play. Viterbo drops to 6-21 on the season and 3-6 in the North Star. The Vikings and V-Hawks play another doubleheader Friday at 4/6 p.m. at the Nelson Family Bubble.
 
VCSU 6, Viterbo 5
Valley City State scored all six runs in the bottom of the third inning, but it would prove to be enough to defeat the V-Hawks in Thursday's series opener.
 
The Vikings opened the big inning by loading the bases with just one out. VCSU took advantage as Sierra Crocker, Saige Forseth, Logan Gronberg, Maddy Zander and Alyssa DePoorter all reached base to drive in a run apiece for VCSU. Zander added an unearned run as Viterbo's Morgan James attempted to catch DePoorter stealing second, but the throw was off the mark and allowed Zander to score and hold a 6-4 lead.
 
In its last chance to come back, Viterbo's Sydney Haakenson led off the top of the seventh with a double, and James drove her in on a groundout but VCSU's defense held off Viterbo for the 6-5 win.
 
Ashlyn Diemert and Sierra Crocker were each 2-for-3 at the plate, and Diemert doubled in the game. Zander, Diemert, Makenzee Stone, Ellie Braaten, Amanda Hiner, and MacKenzie Rist each scored a run for VCSU.
 
Joelle Lamontagne picked up the win after starting in the circle and working 6 complete innings. She allowed five runs on nine hits while walking six and striking out five. Gronberg got the save for VCSU after pitching one inning in relief and did not allow a single hit.
 
Viterbo's Haakenson went 2-for-4, scored two runs, and drove in one while Marissa Carter-Olson finished with two hits and three RBIs Thursday.
 
Emily Roberts got the loss in the circle after allowing six runs on six hits in 2 and 2/3 innings of work. She walked just one and struck out three. Alexis Watson made a relief appearance and pitched 3 and 1/3 innings. She allowed just two hits, walked one and struck out four.
 
VCSU 4, Viterbo 1
The Vikings finished the doubleheader sweep with a 4-1 victory in game two Thursday with the help of Gronberg's 2-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning.
 
Viterbo's Megan Jardine drove in Alina Garstka with an RBI triple down the right field line in the third inning to put the V-Hawks on the board first. The Vikings answered in the bottom half of the inning, again when James' throw to catch Amanda Hiner stealing second was off-target and Diemert scored from third.
 
VCSU's Kennadi Stone led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple and later scored on Maerin Dartnell's sacrifice fly, building a 2-1 advantage. Gronberg added onto the lead with a 2-run homer in the fifth, swinging on the first pitch of her at-bat.
 
Kennadi Stone went 3-for-3 with a triple Thursday and scored a run for VCSU. Diemert and Gronberg each had two hits and scored one run. Zander got the win in the circle after working 4 complete innings. She allowed just one run on three hits, walked three and struck out three. Gronberg earned her second save of the day after pitching 3 innings in relief. She allowed just one hit and struck out three V-Hawks.
 
Alexis Watson got the loss in the circle for Viterbo after pitching 4 innings. She allowed four runs on seven hits and walked three batters. Amanda Bogdonovich pitched 2 innings in relief and allowed three hits while striking out one.