FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State right-hander Jeff Hille struck out a career-high 12 batters Saturday in a 7-0 win over the University of Mary, but the Marauders held on for a 3-2 win in the nightcap to earn a doubleheader split at Newman Outdoor Field.

Hille pitched all nine innings of the opener.  He allowed just four hits and one walk to improve to 2-7 on the season.

NDSU led 2-0 before a four-run sixth inning broke open the game.  Shannon Ekermans had an RBI single and Matt Watson drove in two runs with another single to make it 6-0.

Ekermans and teammate Ryan Langlais were both 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in the opener.  NDSU's Greg Plecki was 3-for-5 and scored a run.

U-Mary (16-21) managed just two hits in the second game, but the Marauders took advantage of seven walks, including three in a three-run second inning.

Bison starter Ben Mathiason got the first out before issuing three straight walks to load the bases.  Matt Kranzler bounced a single through the right side for the first run, a hit-by-pitch forced in another run, and a sacrifice fly by Andy Leer gave the Marauders a 3-0 lead.

North Dakota State (14-28) answered with two runs in the third inning.  Plecki and Matt Mossey hit back-to-back singles with two outs, and a walk to Langlais loaded the bases before Kole Zimmerman bounced a single up the middle to make it 3-2.

U-Mary pitcher Tyler Porter retired the next 11 batters in order before a pinch-hit single by Gavin Hofer with one out in the seventh.  Pinch runner Billy Gazich stole second and moved to third on the errant throw, but Porter got a strikeout to end the game.

Zimmerman finished 2-for-3 for the Bison.  Mathiason dropped to 2-4 with the loss.  Ekermans pitched one inning of relief, striking out three of the four batters he faced in the seventh.

North Dakota State is scheduled to close out its 12-game home stand Tuesday against the Minnesota Gophers.  Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Newman Outdoor Field.