DICKINSON, N.D. – Valley City State University baseball was defeated 9-3 by No.1 seed Bellevue University in their first game of the NSAA Postseason tournament on Thursday, May 1, at Dakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark in Dickinson.
 
The Bruins improved to 37-13 overall and advanced in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination tournament. Valley City State dropped to 20-31 and will play an elimination game on Friday.
 
Valley City State opened the scoring in the top of the first when Jaden Babiuk doubled to left and later scored on a fielder's choice from Alexis Velasco. The run was unearned after an error earlier in the inning.
 
Bellevue jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first inning and never trailed. Steven Elsner tied the game with a solo home run to right field, followed by a two-run shot to left from Jake Lacey. Makarus later came around to score on a single by Elijah Tanner and a fielding error in left field, giving the Bruins a three-run advantage after one inning.
 
Makarus broke the game open in the fourth inning with a grand slam to left field, extending Bellevue's lead to 8-1. The rally was set up after a leadoff single from CJ Townsend and a pair of defensive errors that prolonged the inning. All four runs in the frame were unearned.

The Vikings responded in the fifth with their second run of the game. Hunter Logan reached on an error, moved to third on a single by Diesel Goya, and scored on an RBI single through the right side by Babiuk. Valley City State left two runners on base in the inning after lining into a double play.
 
Bellevue scored its final run in the bottom of the eighth when Anthony Lind reached on an error and later came around on a bunt single by Nick Gravel, coupled with a throwing error by the catcher. The Bruins scored six of their nine runs unearned as Valley City State committed four errors.
 
Babiuk capped a standout performance with a solo home run down the right field line in the top of the ninth, finishing 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Goya added two hits, while Jamel Chabot and Kaden Rozdeba also reached base.
 
Valley City State starter Hunter Magnuson (4-6) took the loss after allowing eight runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits and four walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out four. Jay Mendez pitched 3.1 innings of relief, giving up one unearned run on one hit with three strikeouts. Jacob Marx worked a scoreless eighth inning.
 
Bellevue right-hander Parker McMan (6-2) earned the win, scattering eight hits over seven innings without allowing an earned run. He struck out six and walked one on 109 pitches. Brody Burnette pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on one hit with two strikeouts.
 
Makarus finished 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and four RBI. Lacey went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Tanner added two hits, and Gravel recorded a bunt single and scored a run.
 
Both teams combined for nine errors, five by Bellevue and four by Valley City State, but the Bruins were able to work around their defensive miscues by holding the Vikings to three runs on nine hits.
 
Valley City State will face an elimination game Friday in the consolation bracket against the loser of Dakota State and Simpson. Bellevue advances to face the winner of the Mayville State-Dakota State matchup.