Bellevue, VCSU split again as four-game series ends 2-2

BELLEVUE, Neb. — Bellevue University split its Frontier Conference doubleheader with Valley City State University on Saturday at the Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex, falling 4-1 in the opener before responding with a 12-6 win in the finale. The split secured a 2-2 series draw after the teams also split Friday's Frontier-opening doubleheader.

BU finished the day 11-13 overall and 2-2 in Frontier Conference play, while VCSU evened its league mark at 2-2 and moved to 12-13 on the season.

Game 1: Valley City State University 4, Bellevue University 1

VCSU created early separation with a three-run first inning, and Maddy Hazelton worked a complete game as the Vikings took the opener 4-1. BU answered with a first-inning run and turned three double plays defensively, but the Bruins were limited to five hits before VCSU added an insurance run in the seventh.

How It Happened

VCSU struck quickly in the first. Pascale Kihn opened the inning with a single, and Madden Bogenreif reached on an error, setting the table for Jenna Decker's three-run homer to left-center that put the Vikings in front, 3-0.

BU countered in the bottom half. Kaitlyn Fisher singled and, after Mariah Unverzagt also singled, Fisher advanced on consecutive wild pitches before Breanne McMurtry's sacrifice fly brought her home to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Bruins kept the game within reach with a trio of double plays. In the third, Decker lined into a double play to second base that doubled a runner off first. In the fifth, VCSU loaded the bases with one out, but BU erased the threat with a 6-2-3 double play to keep it a two-run game. Another double play in the sixth helped turn aside additional traffic.

VCSU tacked on a run in the seventh when Bogenreif singled, moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, and advanced to third on a groundout before Kennadi Stone's RBI single to right extended the margin to 4-1.

Inside the Numbers

• Bellevue: 1 run on 5 hits, 2 errors, 7 left on base; VCSU: 4 runs on 10 hits, 1 error, 7 left on base
• BU turned three double plays
• Hazelton went the distance with 7.0 innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 run (1 earned) with no walks and 6 strikeouts

Game 2: Bellevue University 12, Valley City State University 6

BU broke open a 5-5 game with seven runs in the fifth inning and rolled to a 12-6 win in the nightcap to earn the split. Breanne McMurtry homered and doubled in a 4-for-4 effort, Marguerite Brown homered and drove in three, and Mariah Unverzagt picked up the win in relief.

How It Happened

VCSU manufactured an unearned run in the first. Bogenreif reached on an error and moved to third on a flyout before Stone's RBI single to right put the Vikings in front, 1-0.

The Bruins answered immediately in the bottom half. Brown worked a walk, and Unverzagt reached on a fielder's choice before McMurtry launched a two-run homer to right-center to swing BU ahead, 2-1.

VCSU pulled even in the third when Kihn doubled and later scored on Decker's sacrifice fly, tying the game at 2-2. BU responded in the bottom of the inning as Brown doubled and Unverzagt walked to set the stage. McMurtry followed with an RBI single to restore the lead, and Savannah Short added a two-run single to right to stretch the advantage to 5-2.

The Vikings climbed back into it in the fourth. After back-to-back singles from Ahleeya Nicola and Ashlyn Schumacher, Kihn doubled to left-center to score two and pull VCSU within 5-4. VCSU drew even in the fifth when Stone was hit by a pitch and Kylee Banerd singled before Avery Kuklinski's RBI single tied it at 5-5.

BU's response was immediate and decisive in the bottom of the fifth. Unverzagt singled and McMurtry doubled to put two in scoring position before Leslie Egan's two-run double pushed the Bruins back in front. Short reached on an error later in the inning and came home as the line kept moving, Fisher's RBI groundout added another, and Brown capped the outburst with a three-run homer to center as BU surged ahead, 12-5.

VCSU added a run in the sixth. Kihn reached, and a pinch runner moved into scoring position before Stone doubled down the left-field line to drive in a run, trimming it to 12-6, but BU closed it out from there.

Inside the Numbers

• Bellevue: 12 runs on 11 hits, 3 errors, 7 left on base; VCSU: 6 runs on 11 hits, 1 error, 10 left on base
• BU's seven-run fifth turned a 5-5 tie into a seven-run cushion
• Pitching note: Unverzagt struck out six over 4 1/3 innings of relief without issuing a walk

Top Performers

(Totals reflect combined numbers from both games unless otherwise noted)

Bellevue University

• Breanne McMurtry — 4-for-6, HR, 2B, 4 RBIs, 3 runs
• Marguerite Brown — 2-for-7, 2B, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 runs
• Leslie Egan — 3-for-6, 2B, 2 RBIs
• Mariah Unverzagt — win in relief (Game 2); 4 1/3 IP, 6 strikeouts, 0 walks

Valley City State University

• Jenna Decker — 2-for-6, HR, 4 RBIs 
• Pascale Kihn — 3-for-8, 2 2B, 2 RBIs
• Maddy Hazelton — complete-game win (Game 1); 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Up Next

The Bruins will host Concordia (Neb.) University on Wednesday, March 25, for a 6 p.m. non-conference contest at the Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex.