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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--The University of Buffalo edged North Dakota State University 3-2 and the Bison held off a late rally to defeat Idaho State University 7-4 on Friday, Feb. 28, during the first day of the University of New Mexico Lobos Invitational played at Lobo Softball Field.

NDSU (10-6) is scheduled to play Idaho State (6-6) at 11 a.m. and then take on host New Mexico at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 1.

North Dakota State jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Bulls in the top of the fifth inning. Maritza Lopez-Portillo walked to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a double from pinch-hitter Dani Renner. Jackie Stifter's sacrifice fly plated Lopez-Portilla, while  Alex Sobrero doubled home Brandi Enriquez.

Buffalo (9-3) cut the deficit in half when Holly Luciano led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo home run. The Bulls scored twice on Sammi Gallardo's bunt single and Kelly Mascari's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Krista Menke (7-2) picked up the loss for NDSU. She allowed six hits with five strikeouts and no walks over six innings.  Amanda Grable went 2 for 3 to lead the Bison.

Tori Speckman (6-2) scattered four hits, struck out four and walked three to pick up the win for Buffalo. Karly Nevez went 2 for 3 with a run scored for the Bulls.

North Dakota State scored seven times in the first two innings, but had hold off a seventh rally by the Bengals.

The Bison sent nine batters to the plate in the opening frame. Cheyenne Garcia cracked a two-run double to right center and Grable added a RBI single to highlight the three-run first inning.

Garcia and Grable both came up with run-scoring singles in the bottom of the second. Lopez-Portillo extended the NDSU lead to 7-0 on her team-leading third home run of the season, a two-run blast to left field. Logan Moreland, Garcia, Grable, Lopez-Portillo and Enriquez each had two hits for NDSU.

Idaho State made it interesting with three runs in the top of the seventh and had the bases loaded with one out before Menke ended the threat. A bases loaded walk and two-run single from Vicky Galasso helped the Bengals close the gap.

Tabby Bayers (2-3) picked up the win for NDSU. Bayers allowed seven hits, four walks and struck out three over the first six-plus innings. Menke struck out two, walked one and allowed on hit in the seventh.

Haley Douglas and Bailey Foster pitched for Idaho State with Douglas (3-4) recording the loss. Foster gave up three hits, two walks and one run over the final 4.1 innings. Kacie Burnett, Maddy Hickman and Katee Wiley all had two hits for ISU.