FARGO, N.D.--Pinch runner Kenny Beese scored the game-winning run from second base on an infield throwing error in the ninth inning to lift North Dakota State to a 4-3 victory over Valley City State in college baseball Tuesday night at Newman Outdoor Field.

NDSU pinch hitter Ricky Hefflinger led off with a five-pitch walk before Beese stole second base.  That set up an intentional walk to Greg Plecki, who was safe at second on the next play when Valley City State first baseman Cory Arnason's throw skipped into the outfield.

That made a winner of Bison relief pitcher Jake Laber, who came on in the sixth inning to strike out four of the first six batters he faced.  Laber (4-3) allowed two hits, two walks and struck out five in 3 1/3 innings.  Ninth-inning reliever Nathan Erbstoesser (4-2) took the loss.

NDSU (8-22) scored the first two runs of the game in the third inning on an RBI single by Plecki and an RBI double by Ryan Langlais.

The Bison went up 3-0 in the fourth when Kole Zimmerman led off with a walk, stole second, and scored two outs later on a Luke Otto single.

Valley City State (19-16) sent seven men to the plate to score three runs and tie the game in the sixth inning.

Tony Forster singled and moved to third on a Pat Olson double, and a walk to Bryce Ingram loaded the bases.  NDSU got two outs on Arnason's ground ball double play, but Forster scored to make it 3-1.

VCSU chased Bison starter Ben Mathiason with an RBI double by Dustin Grabowska, and Scott Dusessoy singled on the second pitch from Laber to plate Grabowska with the tying run.

Laber fanned the next three batters and Valley City State didn't advance a runner past second base the rest of the way.

Dusessoy finished 3-for-5 for the Vikings.  Ekermans, Langlais and Otto each had two hits for the Bison.

North Dakota State is scheduled to play at the University of Minnesota at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday at Siebert Field in Minneapolis.  The Gophers are 30-8 and in second place in the Big Ten with a 12-3 record.