Box Score (PDF)

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University baseball team opened a three-game Summit League series against the Western Illinois University Leathernecks with a 12-3 victory on Friday, April 22, in front of 327 spectators at Newman Outdoor Field.

With the win, NDSU improves to 19-17 overall and 6-10 in Summit League play, while Western Illinois falls to 10-24 and 7-9 in league action.

Senior Danny Regan and sophomore Brayden Resch both tallied three hits and a double to lead the Bison at the plate, with Regan also driving in three runs. Junior Ben Petersen compiled a game-high four runs scored and a pair of stolen bases.

NDSU sophomore left-handed starting pitcher Blake Stockert (1-3) earned the win after allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits in six innings pitched with a career-high six strikeouts and no walks. Colin Baumgard tallied his first save of the season after throwing three innings of scoreless relief with a pair of strikeouts.

North Dakota State trailed the Leathernecks, 3-1, before scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. Regan plated the opening two runs of the inning on a two-RBI double to left center, before Logan Busch hit a two-out, two-RBI single to left field to give NDSU its first lead of the game.

The Bison continued their offensive surge in the fifth, plating five runs on five hits and two errors to balloon their lead to 10-3. Mason Pierzchalski hit a single up the middle to score two runs, before Regan hit an RBI single to center field to make it 8-3. A fielding error and sacrifice fly off the bat of Busch brought the final two runs of the inning across the plate for the Bison.

NDSU added a pair of runs in the sixth and eighth innings, building their lead to 12-3.

Shortstop Chris Tschida tallied two hits, including a two-run home run, to lead Western Illinois.

WIU pitcher Aaron Michel (1-6) suffered the loss on the mound after giving up 10 runs, eight earned, on 12 hits in five innings with four strikeouts and two walks.

North Dakota State and Western Illinois are scheduled to play a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, April 23, to close out the three-game series in Fargo.