Box Score 1 (PDF) | Box Score 2 (PDF)

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University baseball team split a Summit League doubleheader against the Western Illinois University Leathernecks on Saturday, April 23, at Newman Outdoor Field, dropping the first contest, 12-8, before winning game two, 3-0.

With the doubleheader split, NDSU improves to 20-18 overall and 7-11 in Summit League play, marking the seventh straight season the Bison have won at least 20 games.

Senior Juan Gamez went a perfect 2-of-2 at the plate with a double and two runs scored to lead the Bison in the game two victory, while fellow senior Paul Funk tallied a hit and drove in a pair of runs.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Jordan Harms (1-1) earned his first career win on the mound for the Bison after allowing no earned runs on five hits in six innings pitched with a career-best six strikeouts and only one walk. Senior reliever Brian VanderWoude collected his third save of the season after tossing three scoreless innings with four strikeouts and three walks.

North Dakota State took a 1-0 lead over the Leathernecks (11-25, 8-10 Summit League) in the third inning after Funk grounded out to shortstop, allowing Gamez to score from third.

NDSU added its final two runs of the game in the fifth-inning when Funk hit an RBI single up the middle to drive in Gamez, and Drew Fearing crossed home plate on a Western Illinois throwing error.

Conner Currier and Roman Visintine both compiled two hits to lead WIU in game two, while Sam Cottingham-Beard (1-1) suffered the loss on the mound after surrendering three runs, two earned, on three hits in 6 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and two walks.

In game one, Western Illinois scored four runs in the first-inning and eventually claimed the 12-8 victory.

Senior Danny Regan went 2-for-4 in the batter's box with a three-run home run and three runs scored to pace NDSU in the first contest, while redshirt sophomore Logan Busch tallied three hits and a pair of runs batted in.

Left-handed pitcher Parker Trewin (0-1) took the loss on the mound for North Dakota State after giving up four earned runs on five hits in two innings with a pair of strikeouts.

Cord Church led Western Illinois in the game, going 4-for-5 at the plate with five RBIs.

Leatherneck pitcher Ian Koch (2-5) allowed three runs, none earned, on six hits in 6 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks to earn the win on the mound.

North Dakota State is scheduled to host the University of Minnesota in a non-league game on Tuesday, April 26, at 6:35 p.m. at Newman Outdoor Field. The game will be televised live on Midco Sports Network.