FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University baseball team (10-25, 4-15 Summit League) dropped the first game of a three-game Summit League series against Western Illinois (11-25, 6-13 Summit League), 6-4, on Friday, April 24, at Newman Outdoor Field.

The Bison and Leathernecks are scheduled to play game two of the series Saturday, April 25, at 1 p.m.

Juan Gamez led the Bison at the plate, going 3-of-4 with a RBI and run, while David Ernst posted a 2-for-4 performance with a double. JD Larimer and Drew Fearing also each collected a pair of hits in the contest, with Larimer also driving in a run.

Ernst, serving as both the starting pitcher and designated hitter, suffered the loss on the bump after surrendering four earned runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts and two walks in seven innings of work.

NDSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second after RBI singles from Larimer and Gamez.

The Leathernecks responded, though, tying the game, 2-2, in the top of the third on a single from Jake Moore and a sacrifice fly from JJ Reimer. The Bison pulled ahead, 3-2, in the bottom-half of the frame after a JT Core RBI single.

Western Illinois answered again, plating two runs in the top of the fourth on a wild pitch and double play to regain the lead at 4-3. As they did in the third, the Bison responded, knotting the contest, 4-4, in the bottom-half of the inning on a Danny Regan RBI single.

The score remained tied until the Leathernecks scored two runs in the top of the seventh on a Reimer RBI double and a Moore RBI single to take a 6-4 lead.

The Bison attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth after getting runners on first and second with nobody out after Gamez and pinch-hitter Taylor Sanders slashed back-to-back singles to lead-off the inning, but a bunt pop out, fly out and foul out ended the opportunity, sealing the win for Western Illinois.

Reimer paced WIU in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Adam McGinnis also exceled at the plate for the Leathernecks, collecting three hits in four at bats.

Western Illinois starter Joe Mortillaro (3-4) tallied the win on the mound after surrendering four earned runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts and three walks in six-and two-thirds innings, while closer Tyler Owings picked up his fifth save of the season.