CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Tate Leapaldt's two-run double highlighted a six-run first inning as North Dakota State snapped Southeast Missouri State's five-game winning streak 7-2 in the first of a three-game college baseball series Friday, Feb. 22.

John Straka pitched seven innings and improved to 2-0 with the victory for North Dakota State (2-2).  Straka allowed two unearned runs on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk.  Parker Trewin pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

Southeast Missouri State starter Luke Shearrow (0-1) walked five and hit one of the nine batters he faced and got only one out before leaving.  Four other pitchers combined to hold NDSU scoreless until a two-out RBI single by Tim Colwell in the ninth.

Shearrow got Colwell out to lead off the first but put the next four men on base including a bases-loaded walk to John Skrbec to start the scoring.  Leapaldt followed with the double to make it 3-0, a throwing error plated two runs, and Colwell hit a sac fly in his second trip.

The Redhawks scored twice in the fourth.  Matt Tellor reached on an error and Andy Lennington singled, and both players scored on a two-out bases-loaded single by catcher Dalton Hewitt.

Leapaldt finished 3-for-5, Colwell and Michael Leach were both 2-for-5, and Paul Funk drew three bases on balls for NDSU.  Derek Gibson went 2-for-4 for SEMO.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.