Vikings Sweep Dakota State in Saturday Doubleheader

VCSU softball team wins two games against Dakota State to improve to 14-13 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:47pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a softball game or match, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the sport.The Vikings' comeback victory showcases their resilience and competitiveness in the Frontier Conference softball race.Valley City Today

The Valley City State University softball team swept the first two games in their four-game home stand against Dakota State University on Saturday, March 28. The Vikings won the first game 4-0 behind a strong pitching performance from Maddy Hazelton and a solo home run from Kylee Banerd. In the second game, the Vikings came from behind to secure a 5-4 victory, with Madden Bogenreif hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning to give VCSU the lead.

Why it matters

The Vikings' sweep of Dakota State improves their overall record to 14-13 and their conference record to 4-2, putting them in a strong position in the Frontier Conference standings. The team's ability to come from behind in the second game also demonstrates their resilience and ability to battle back when facing a deficit.

The details

In the first game, the Vikings delivered a complete performance on both sides of the ball, with Maddy Hazelton pitching a shutout and the offense capitalizing on Dakota State's mistakes. Kylee Banerd's solo home run in the second inning opened the scoring, and the Vikings added three more runs later in the game. In the second game, Dakota State jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Vikings responded with a four-run fourth inning, capped by Reagan Mieras' two-run double. Madden Bogenreif's two-run home run in the fifth inning gave VCSU the lead, and Maddy Hazelton closed out the game with two strikeouts in the seventh inning to secure the save.

  • The games were played on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • Gametime for game three of the series is Sunday at 12:00 PM.

The players

Maddy Hazelton

The Vikings' starting pitcher in the first game, who pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing only two hits and striking out six batters. She also earned the save in the second game.

Kylee Banerd

The Vikings' hitter who launched a solo home run in the second inning of the first game to open the scoring.

Madden Bogenreif

The Vikings' hitter who hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning of the second game to give VCSU the lead.

Reagan Mieras

The Vikings' hitter who delivered a two-run double in the fourth inning of the second game to tie the score at 3-3.

Emmalynn Rabe

The Dakota State hitter who hit a two-run home run in the first inning of the second game to give the Trojans an early lead.

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What they’re saying

“The Vikings delivered a complete performance on both sides of the ball in a 4-0 shutout over Dakota State.”

— VCSU Sports Information

“The Vikings' sweep of Dakota State improves their overall record to 14-13 and their conference record to 4-2, putting them in a strong position in the Frontier Conference standings.”

— VCSU Sports Information

What’s next

Gametime for game three of the series is Sunday at 12:00 PM. Pregame will begin around 11:45 AM on NewsDakota.com and the VCSU Athletics YouTube page.

The takeaway

The Vikings' ability to sweep a conference doubleheader, including coming from behind in the second game, demonstrates their resilience and competitiveness in the Frontier Conference. Their strong overall and conference records put them in a good position to make a push for the postseason.