DICKINSON, N.D. – Valley City State used timely hitting and strong pitching to eliminate Dakota State 5-2 Friday afternoon in the loser’s bracket of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Softball Tournament at Sanford Sports Complex on Bravera Field.

With the win, Valley City State (24-22 overall) advanced to another elimination game Saturday afternoon. Dakota State closed its season with a 7-37 record.

The Vikings scored in four of the first five innings, backed by a solid start from Maddy Zander and three scoreless relief innings from Cooper Klaahsen to fend off a fifth-inning surge from the Trojans.

Ashlyn Diemert sparked the Viking offense from the leadoff spot, reaching base in all four of her plate appearances. The senior shortstop went 2-for-2 with a walk, double, and two runs scored. Diemert crossed the plate for the first time in the bottom of the first when Logan Gronberg delivered an RBI single to left.

Valley City State added to its lead in the third. Zander singled and was lifted for pinch-runner Halle Gullett, who later scored on an RBI single by freshman Kylee Banerd.

Gronberg drove in her second run of the game in the fourth, scoring Diemert again to make it 3-0. Gronberg finished 3-for-3 at the plate and reached base in all four plate appearances.

Dakota State responded in the top of the fifth. Hannah McFarland led off with a single and scored on a two-run single by Quincy Hartley that cut the deficit to 3-2. Ally Morrissey also singled and Gabrielle Ortega-Alves was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Hartley’s hit drove in the Trojans' only runs of the contest.

Klaahsen entered the game in relief of Zander following Hartley’s hit and retired three straight batters to limit the damage.

The Vikings wasted no time getting the runs back. After a Dakota State error allowed Kennadi Stone to reach base, Alyssa DePoorter launched a two-run home run over the left-field fence to stretch the lead back to three runs at 5-2. It was DePoorter’s second home run of the season and provided all the insurance the Vikings needed.

Zander earned the win in the circle for Valley City State, tossing four innings and allowing four hits and two runs. She walked four and struck out four. Klaahsen collected the save, throwing three innings of two-hit, shutout ball with three strikeouts and no walks.

Dakota State’s Analicia Burgos took the loss, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits over four innings. Maycee Bricker pitched the final two innings and held the Vikings scoreless while giving up just one hit.

McFarland led the Trojans offensively, reaching base three times with two singles and two runs scored. Morrissey finished 2-for-4. Hartley tallied the only two RBIs for Dakota State.

In total, the Vikings outhit the Trojans 11-6. Valley City State also drew four walks while committing no errors in the field. Dakota State left nine runners on base in the loss.