VALLEY CITY, ND – Behind big blows in the first inning from Connor Doll and Jesus Payan, the visiting University of Mary baseball team buried the Valley City State University Vikings early in a 17-5 non-conference win. The Marauders scored nine times in the first inning behind a 3-run double by Payan and a grand slam from Doll.
 
PIVOT POINT
Taking advantage of seven walks, a hit batter and three extra base hits, the Marauders scored nine runs in the top of the first inning. After two walks sandwiched around a Jaxon Ford single, Payan cleared the bases with a double to left center for a quick 3-0 lead. An RBI double by Cody Fourre followed by Chris Scott getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded increased the Marauders advantage to 5-0. In his second at bat of the inning, this time with the bases loaded and two outs, Doll blasted a grand slam to put the game out of reach at 9-0.      
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Doll tied the Marauders NCAA-era mark (since 2007) for runs in a game with four. Tyler Steffen was the last UMary player to score four runs in the game against Minnesota Crookston on April 11, 2012. He also drove in four runs for the Marauders. For the day the junior was 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk, two steals, four runs scored and four RBIs…
 
Payan was 3-for-4 with a double, two walks, three runs scored and four RBIs. He also stole a base.
 
Chris Scott finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. He was also hit by a pitch. The junior righthander also recorded the final two outs on the hill.
 
Seth Siverson walked three times and scored twice.
 
Ford had a hit, scored twice and walked four times. The four walks in the game was last accomplished by James Carroll against UMC on February 16, 2013.
 
Travis Stevens also walked three times and scored a run. In a relief role, he pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out two.
 
Colin Gudereit earned the win after pitching four innings without allowing an earned run. He struck out three, gave up five hits and didn't walk a batter.   
 
All nine Marauders starters scored a run in the victory.
 
UMary has posted back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
The 17 runs for UMary is the program's most since scoring 21 against Post on March 5, 2014…The five Marauders pitchers combined to walk one Vikings hitter and hit one with a pitch. The VCSU pitchers walked 16 hitters and hit two UMary hitters.
 
ON DECK
The Marauders host NSIC-leading Minot State University in the season finale on May 4-5 at the Municipal Ballpark in Bismarck. It is also the first home games of the season for UMary.  
 
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