Herrera, Hornacek Come Up Clutch in Extras as Viterbo Claims Two Over Valley City

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Baseball team battled North Star Athletic Association foe Valley City State University (ND) on Sunday. The V-Hawks claimed game one of the doubleheader 2-1 in extra innings, and Game two 4-2 in seven innings. The V-Hawks improve to 7-18 (5-5 NSAA) while the Vikings fall to 5-21 (1-9 NSAA).

In the first game, Viterbo recorded their first hit in the bottom of the second inning off of a double to center field by Marcus Hornacek allowing teammate Ryan Brooks to advance to third. Viterbo struck out swinging to head into the third inning 0-0. Carter Dodd singled to right field at the top of third for the Vikings before the V-Hawks produced a double play to move into the bottom of the third 0-0. Viterbo was able to retire three straight batters at the top of the fourth inning before Chad Herrera and Hornacek each hit a single ending inning four 0-0. Innings 5-9 remained scoreless, forcing extra innings. A sacrifice bunt by Valley City's Adam Thompson allowed Shane Nixon to score a run going into the bottom of the 10th 0-1. Viterbo answered back with a walk by Spencer Hans followed by a sacrifice bunt by Herrera. Hornacek singled to right field allowing Ryan Mesa, pinch runner for Hans to score going into the 11th inning with teams tied 1-1. Viterbo didn't let the Vikings get on base and came out hot at the bottom of the inning with a single by Kendal Hofer. Frankie McGuire walked, advancing Hofer to second base. Hofer stole third base before Herrera's walk off RBI single brought him home for the win 2-1.

Hornacek recorded 4 hits for the V-Hawks followed by Herrera with 2. Hans walked 3 times. Dominic LeBlanc recorded the win with 5 strikeouts. Viking's pitcher Ryan Reynolds recorded the loss striking out 1 batter.

The Vikings would be the first to score in the nightcap, with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second. VU would even the score with a Kendal Hofer RBI in the bottom of the third bringing home Gavin Daniel, and Carson Trumpold but the V-Hawks in the lead with an RBI single that scored Ryan Brooks in the bottom of the fourth. In the sixth inning, Valley City would tie the game again with an RBI double, but a pair of passed balls gave Matthew Monaghan and Mesa free runs, and the 4-2 lead. Three quick outs in the top of the seventh ended the game in favor of Viterbo.

Hofer led the V-Hawks offense, going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Trumpld added an RBI as well, going 2-for-3, including a double. Drew Nixon went 1-for-2 with an RBI and scored run for VCSU. Ryan Gill (W, 2-3) had seven Ks, while Alec Danen earned his second save of the year. Daniel Alvarado (L, 0-2) recorded the loss.

The teams will complete the series on Monday, April 3 starting at noon.