FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State baseball team took both ends of a doubleheader to open its home schedule after topping South Dakota State, 5-2, and, 3-2, on Friday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field.
With the win, the Bison picked up their third series win to begin Summit League play and improve to 8-16 (6-2 Summit) on the season. The Saturday series finale against South Dakota State (4-18, 2-6 Summit) has been postponed due to cold temperatures. The game will be rescheduled to when NDSU travels to SDSU on April 25-27.
In game one, the Bison scored three runs in the fourth inning to top the Jackrabbits, 5-2. After SDSU got on the board with RBI double off the bat of Nolan Grawe, NDSU answered with three runs on four hits in the fourth to grab the lead, 3-1. Colten Becker and Sam Canton each delivered RBI singles before Noah Gordon capped the frame with an RBI sacrifice fly. Jake Schaffner extended the edge to 4-1 in the fifth scoring on a wild pitch and Davis Hamilton lifted an RBI sacrifice fly in the eighth to increase the lead to 5-1. The Bison went on to hold off the Jackrabbits the rest of the way for the 5-2 victory.
NDSU notched six hits as a team with Becker going 2-of-4 at the plate with one run and one RBI.
Nolan Johnson (2-3) earned the win going a season-long 6.2 innings with four strikeouts and three walks. Danny Lachenmayer picked up his third save of the season with four strikeouts over 2.0 innings.
In game two, the Bison picked up a 3-2 walk-off win over the Jackrabbits after Becker sent an RBI single into right field to score Jake Schaffner in the ninth. After both teams were deadlocked, 1-1, through five complete, the Jackrabbits grabbed their first lead of the day after Keagen Jirschele connected on an RBI double into right field. Becker answered for the Bison in the seventh tying the contest, 2-2, with an RBI single and then sealed the 3-2 win in the ninth with a walk-off single into right field.
NDSU totaled 11 hits as a team with Becker going 3-of-5 at the plate with two RBI, while Schaffner also added three hits on five appearances.
The Bison pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts with Logan Knight making the start tossing six strikeouts over 5.0 innings. Landon Koenig provided four strikeouts over 3.0 innings in relief and Skyler Riedinger (3-0) earned the win with one strikeout over the final inning.
NDSU will be back in action at Omaha on Friday, April 4. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.
