GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Ben Petersen collected the game-winning hit in the top of the sixth inning and Reed Pfannenstein and Trevor Jaunich tossed a shutout, helping the North Dakota State baseball team defeat the University of North Dakota, 1-0, on Tuesday, April 28, in front of 756 spectators at Kraft Memorial Field.

With the win, the Bison completed a season series sweep against UND for the first time since 2012 and improved to 12-26 overall, while North Dakota fell to 16-21 on the season.

After NDSU and UND battled each other to a scoreless tie the first five innings of the contest, the Bison broke through in the sixth. Paul Funk, who went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate, led-off the frame with a single to centerfield, before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from Danny Regan. Drew Fearing reached on a North Dakota fielding error the next at bat, and Funk advanced to third on the miscue, bringing Petersen to the plate with two on and one out. Petersen delivered, smashing a 1-0 pitch to center for a RBI single, scoring Funk.  

North Dakota had a chance to either tie or take the lead with two outs and runners on second and third in the bottom of the eighth, but John Skrbec ended the UND threat with a perfect pick and throw to first on a sharply hit ground ball to keep the Bison in front.

Pfannenstein (1-6) tallied his first victory of the season on the mound for the Bison after throwing seven shutout frames. The Cold Spring, Minn., native allowed just four hits while striking out four and walking two. 

Jaunich picked up the save (2) after holding North Dakota scoreless the final two innings. He struck out two, walked none and gave up only three hits.

Jeff Campbell and Ryan Reese each collected a pair of hits to lead North Dakota at the plate, while starter Brett DeGagne took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the sixth.

North Dakota State is scheduled to host Mayville State on Wednesday, April 29, at 5 p.m. at Newman Outdoor Field.