LAWRENCE, Kan.--Andi Padilla tossed a five-hit shutout and Taylor Lynn knocked in the winning run as North Dakota State defeated Eastern Illinois 1-0 in the first of two games Sunday, March 8, at the KU Invitational in Arrocha Ballpark. The host Jayhawks defeated the Bison 12-1 in the second.

North Dakota State (10-7) is scheduled to open Summit League play at Southern Utah (8-11) in Cedar City, Utah. The Bison and Thunderbird open the three-game series with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. (Mountain) on Saturday, March 14.

Eastern Illinois (9-6) mounted its best threat in the first inning advancing a runner to third with one out. Padilla recorded an out at the plate for the second out and catcher Kelly Cantrell ended the inning with a caught stealing.

Padilla recorded her first career shutout to improve to 7-3 for NDSU. She scattered five hits, struck out five and walked three batters. Angela May (6-4) picked up the loss for the Panthers. May allowed six hits, struck out six and walked two.

The Bison pushed across the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cantrell reached on an EIU error and was replaced by pinchrunner Brittany Gutierrez. Richel Briones followed with a single and Maryssa McKenzie put runners on second and third with a sacrifice bunt.

Lynn delivered a two-out RBI single up the middle to score Gutierrez. Lynn had two hits for North Dakota State.

Kansas (8-13) scored three times in the first and second innings, then broke open the game with Allie Clark's grand slam in the fourth inning to highlight a six-run frame.Clark went 2 for 3 along a double and six RBI. The Jayhawks finished with 15 hits overall as Stevie Crisosto went 3 for 3 with a home run and three RBI.

Randi Parks (2-2) recorded the loss for NDSU.  Elisa Victa had an RBI single as the Bison were limited to four singles by KU starter Sarah Vertelka (2-2).