VALLEY CITY - The Dickinson State baseball team understood the importance of its weekend series with Valley City State.
Despite the need for crucial wins, the Blue Hawks fell flat as the Vikings swept the North Star Athletic Association doubleheader 5-1 and 12-5 on Friday.
Valley City jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a run in each of the first three innings. The Vikings tagged on two more runs in the sixth.
Starting pitcher David Whitaker was credited with the win and limited DSU to one run on eight hits and struck out eight in a complete game. Taylor Pogroeszewski started for the Blue Hawks and had five runs on six hits in seven innings. He also walked five batters and struck out three.
DSU got off to an early start in Game 2 with a four-run first inning, but the Vikings were quick to respond with six runs in the bottom half. VCSU continued to score in the second, third and fourth, and the Blue Hawks struggled to get any offense going after the second.
Landon Briscoe was 2 for 4 with two runs while Jordan Tescher, Eric Seiler and Jacob Hignite chipped in the other three. Jeff VanCleave had two RBI in the game.
Tony Roberts was tagged with the loss after relinquishing seven runs on four hits in one innings. After the Blue Hawks knocked out Jaime Villarreal - who lasted one out and gave up three runs - Andrew Hirsch came in for relief and picked up the win. Hirsch gave up two runs on four hits in 5 innings.
The series continues between DSU and Valley City in another doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. today.
DSU 000 100 0 - 1 5 0
VCSU 111 002 X - 5 6 1
DSU Taylor Pogroeszewski and Ryan Risse. VCSU David Whitaker and Ben Bruenjes.
W–Whitaker. L–Pogroeszewski . HR–VCSU Nate Bagby.
Highlights: DSU Dylan Skabo 1 for 3, 2B, run; Jacob Hignite 1 for 3, 2B, RBI. VCSU Mike Gershman 1 for 2, SB, 2 runs; Bagby 2 for 3, HR, 3B, 2 RBI, run; Jake Rambow run; Jared Meiklejohn run.
DSU 410 000 0 - 5 7 3
VCSU 613 200 X - 12 12 0
DSU Tony Roberts, JOnathan Koessl (2), Evan Loranger (6) and Tyler Czech. VCSU JAime Villarreal, Andrew Hirsch (1), Alex Meza (7) and Brock Powell.
W–Hirsch. L–Roberts. HR–VCSU Tom Houdek.
Highlights: DSU Landon Briscoe 2 for 4, 2 runs; Jeff VanCleave 1 for 2, 2 RBI; Eric Seiler 1 for 3, 2B, run; Jordan Tescher 1 for 3, run; Ryan Mitchell RBI. VCSU Tom Houdek 1 for 3, HR, run, RBI; Brandon Welinski 2 for 4, 3 runs, RBI; Powell 3 for 4, 2B, 3 RBI; Jared Meiklejohn 2 for 4, 2 runs.
