JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The Valley City State softball team went 1-1 to open the 2025 season Friday at the University of Jamestown Dome, including a win over Montana State University Billings.
 
VCSU's Logan Gronberg went 4-for-4 with a double and two home runs on the day. VCSU returns to the Jamestown Dome Saturday as they face Dakota Wesleyan at 2:30 p.m. and Northern State at 6:30 p.m.
 
Northern State 11, VCSU 0 (5 innings)
Valley City State was shut out in its season opener, falling to Northern State Unviersity 11-0 in 5 innings. Maddy Zander, Kylee Banerd and Jenna Decker each tallied a hit in the loss.
 
Northern scored at least a run in each inning Friday morning and rounded out the game with five runs in the fifth inning with the help of a 2-run single from Dessa Bryant. Decker was able to put a runner on in the bottom of the fifth but the Vikings couldn't find a rally and the game was decided by run rule.
 
VCSU's Maddy Zander got the loss in the circle, pitching 3 innings and allowing six runs on five hits while walking four and striking out two. Rhyan Sigmeth tossed 2 innings in relief and allowed five runs on three hits while walking three and striking out one.
 
Abby Rux picked up the shutout win for Northern State and allowed just three hits. She walked two and struck out four. Emma Owens and Mckenzie Wanner each posted two hits, Tevan Bryant drove in a team-best three runs and Dessa Bryant scored three. Wanner, Aune Boben and Eden Ford each doubled for the Wolves.
 
VCSU 11, MSU Billings 4
The Vikings bounced back in the second game of the day with an 11-4 victory over Montana State University Billings. VCSU smashed 13 hits in the game and were led by Logan Gronberg who went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, four runs scored and five RBIs.
 
VCSU didn't waste any time, driving in three runs in the first inning including RBI singles from Zander and Alyssa DePoorter. Gronberg added a 2-run homer in the second inning to build a 5-2 Viking lead.
 
MSU-Billings then scored in the third, fourth and fifth innings to narrow the Viking lead to 5-4 but the Vikings answered with one run in the sixth. The Vikings secured the win in the seventh inning with another homer from Gronberg, scoring three runs on a shot to right-center. DePoorter's double scored Katelyn MacNeill to round out scoring in the game as VCSU held on for the 11-4 victory.
 
VCSU's Cooper Klaahsen earned the win in the circle after pitching 4 complete innings. She allowed just two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out five. Gronberg pitched 3 innings in relief and earned a save after allowing just two runs on three hits while striking out four. She did not walk a single batter.
 
Avery Gray got the loss in the circle for the Yellowjackets. She allowed five runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out five. Caitlyn James and Elaina Troxell each pitched in relief.
Bryn Lucht went 2-for-3 at the plate while Wynter Hurst and Grace Hood each added two hits and a double apiece. Hurst drove in a team-best two runs for the Yellowjackets.