IOWA CITY, Iowa--North Dakota State outlasted the weather and Ball State 3-1 in the first game at the Hawkeye Classic on Saturday, March 24, at Bob Pearl Field. Host Iowa shut out the Bison 3-0 in the second game.

The start of the NDSU-BSU game was delayed two hours and 10 minutes due to rain, lightning and fog in the area, and had a 30-minute rain delay after two innings.

NDSU took advantage of a Ball State three-base throwing error to break a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning against the Cardinals (7-15). Jennifer Morse went to third on the miscue and score on Kelly Cantrell's bunt out to the second baseman.

The Bison added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Lynnae Foshag doubled to right center with one out and moved to third on an error. Foshag scored on Aimee Enzler's pinch-hit single to put NDSU ahead 3-1. Enzler improved to 6-for-11 in pinch-hitting roles this season. 

Andi Padilla (3-2) limited Ball State to four hits over the first 6.1 innings to earn the victory. Padilla walked three and struck out four. Allison Bakke closed the door in the seventh and struck out the final two BSU hitters. Bakke picked up her second save of the season.

North Dakota State collected nine hits led by Melissa Chmielewski's 3-for-3 effort, while Cantrell went 2-for-4.

Elizabeth Milian (4-6) recorded the loss for Ball State. She fanned seven and walked one. Kelli Jeziorski led the Cardinals with a double and single.

In the second game, Brittany Weil tossed a three-hitter and received a pair of home runs to lift the host Hawkeyes (20-13) to a 3-0 win. Weil (4-1) struck out 10 and issued no walks in going the seven-inning distance.

Iowa shortstop Erin Riemersma hit a two-run home run in the second, while Rachel West cracked a solo blast in the fourth inning. West led the Hawkeyes with a 2-for-3 effort.

The Bison were limited to singles by Grete Peterson, Jackie Currie, Cantrell and Enzler. Bakke (11-10) picked up the loss. She walked one and struck out five.

North Dakota State (20-16) is scheduled to close out tournament play against South Dakota State (10-15) at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 25.