Wells collects six RBIs in V-Hawks bounce back win over Valley City State

FOREST CITY, Iowa – The Viterbo University Baseball team suffered a small setback in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) double-elimination tournament on Saturday night before coming back to win on Sunday afternoon. The V-Hawks lost against Dickinson State on Saturday night, 10-1, before coming back on Sunday with a 15-6 victory against Valley City State to remain alive in the tournament. 

Saturday: Dickinson State – 10, Viterbo – 1 

• The V-Hawks collected six hits for the whole game, with two coming from Marcus Hornacek.
• Viterbo's lone RBI came on a Zach Braun double to score Adam Helgeson after he singled to lead off the inning.
• The V-Hawks struggled on defense, collecting four errors during the game.
• John McMurry came on to pitch in relief for Vitebro, going 5.2 strong innings with six strikeouts and two earned runs.

Sunday: Viterbo – 15, Valley City – 6

• The V-Hawks' bats came alive again in the second inning, scoring five runs to go up 5-1 after an inning and a half. 
• In the top of the second, the V-Hawks loaded the bases with one out. Collin Hucke hit a sacrifice fly to score their first run of the game. With two outs, Brandon Good singled, scoring one more. Then it was Cody Wells' turn to step to the plate. He hit a monster three-run home run to cap off the inning for Viterbo.
• The Vikings were able to answer with two runs of their own in the bottom of the second inning to make it 5-3, Viterbo. 
• In the top of the fourth, Good got the hits going again for the V-Hawks with a double to left. Wells again came through with an RBI single before Kendal Hofer scored him with a single of his own to make it 7-3, Viterbo.
• Valley City was again able to answer, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth to keep within striking range at 7-6. 
• The V-Hawks came out swinging again in the top of the fifth, scoring three more runs with RBIs from Braun, Wells, and Hofer. 
• After a silent sixth inning, the V-Hawks were able to add more insurance runs on in each of the final three innings to make it a 15-6 ballgame.
• Key players: Cody Wells – 3-6, six RBIs, home run, two runs; Zach Braun – 3-4, two walks, two RBIs; Brandon Good – 2-2, double, RBI, two runs; Jacob Pinc – 5 innings pitched, one hit, six strikeouts, zero earned runs

The V-Hawks will return to play again on Monday to face No-2 seeded Dakota State University for the second time in the tournament. The V-Hawks won the opening round matchup against the Trojans 8-1. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 AM CDT. See the entire NSAA Baseball Tournament bracket here. Follow the action on our website or by following us on social media.