BROOKINGS, S.D. - Closer Jason Mattila pitched seven innings and Tyler Steen delivered an RBI single in the top of the 15th to give North Dakota State an 8-7 win over South Dakota State in Summit League baseball Sunday, May 8.

The game lasted 4 hours, 38 minutes and was NDSU's longest since April 2008 when the Bison lost their home opener 12-5 to Southern Utah in 17 innings.  The Bison avoided a four-game series sweep and improved to 17-24 overall and 11-8 in The Summit League.

South Dakota State (30-13, 16-4) got the game-tying run off Mattila in the bottom of the ninth when Joel Blake hit a leadoff single and Daniel Telford hit a one-out double to score pinch runner Phil Paquette.

Mattila retired SDSU in order in the 10th then loaded the bases with no outs in the 11th before getting two strikeouts and a fly ball to end that threat.

The game stayed tied 7-7 until the 15th.  SDSU reliever Deon Entringer hit leadoff man Wes Satzinger with a 1-1 pitch, Tim Colwell bunted him to second, and Steen singled to right field to put NDSU ahead 8-7.  It was Steen's fourth game-winning hit in NDSU's last five wins.

Mattila got the first two outs in the bottom of the 15th, but the Jacks still had a chance to win after a walk to Andrew Phelan and a dropped foul ball that would have ended the game.  Zach Rhodes singled to put runners at first and second, but Aaron Machbitz lined out to left field where Nick Colwell made a diving catch.

Zach Wentz went 4-for-7 with two doubles to lead the Bison after getting just two hits in his previous 32 at-bats.  Zach Heidmann was 3-for-6, Nick Colwell was 3-for-7 with four RBIs, and Steen finished 3-for-8 with two runs scored.

Beau Hanowski was 4-for-7 for South Dakota State and Melton finished 3-for-6.

Mattila improved to 3-2 with the win.  He threw 109 pitches in relief and allowed seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts.  Entringer fell to 1-1 with the loss.

North Dakota State is scheduled to host South Dakota State in a non-conference game at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo.