Box Score (PDF)

OMAHA, Neb. – The North Dakota State University baseball team dropped the opening game of a three-game Summit League series at Omaha, 9-8, on Friday, March 25, at the Ballpark at Boys Town in Omaha, Neb.

Sophomore Drew Fearing went 4-for-5 at the plate with a double and RBI, while junior Ben Petersen drove in three runs and doubled to lead North Dakota State (10-9, 1-3 Summit League).

Bison left-handed starting pitcher Zach Mayo (0-2) suffered the loss on the mound after giving up four earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 3.2 innings.

North Dakota State trailed 9-3 entering the eighth-inning before scoring five runs in the frame to cut the deficit to 9-8. RBI doubles from Danny Regan and Logan Busch plated the opening two runs of the inning, before an RBI single from Fearing and Omaha fielding error scored two more runs for the Bison. Petersen capped the five-run inning with an RBI single down the left field line.

NDSU was able to get runners on first and second with one-out in the top of the ninth after a Jayse McLean single and Taylor Sanders hit by pitch, but a pair of pop outs ended the comeback attempt for the Bison.

Cole Gruber went 2-for-2 at the plate with a triple, RBI, three runs scored and three stolen bases to lead the Mavericks (13-9, 4-0 Summit League), while Clayton Taylor added a 2-for-3 performance in the batter's box with three RBI and Collin Leif homered.

UNO right-hander Tyler Fox (5-1) tallied the win on the mound after allowing three earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and three walks in seven innings of work.

The Bison and Mavs are scheduled to play game two of the series on Saturday, March 26, at 1 p.m.