Box Score (PDF)

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University baseball team scored two runs in the eighth inning to claim a 4-2 win over South Dakota State in the first game of a three-game Summit League series on Thursday, May 19, in front of 178 spectators at Newman Outdoor Field.

With the victory, NDSU improves to 28-24 overall and 11-17 in Summit League play while SDSU drops to 20-32 on the season and 12-16 in league action.

Senior Paul Funk and sophomore Brayden Resch both tallied two RBIs to lead North Dakota State, while junior Ben Petersen hit his ninth double of the season.

Right-handed reliever Brian VanderWoude (8-2) earned the win on the mound for the Bison after surrendering no earned runs on three hits in three innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

North Dakota State broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth, gaining a 4-2 advantage. Funk worked a one-out walk before Petersen doubled down the left field line to advance Funk to third base. Resch hit an RBI single to right field during the next at bat to score both Funk and Petersen and put the Bison in front.

The Jackrabbits attempted to mount a comeback in the top of the ninth, loading the bases with one-out, but VanderWoude navigated around the SDSU threat with foul out and fly out, sealing the win for the Bison.

SDSU gained an early 1-0 lead after plating a run on a ground out in the first inning, but NDSU took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third on Funk's two-run single to right field. The Jacks knotted the contest, 2-2, with a run in the fifth.

Second baseman Tony Kjolsing posted two hits, a double and an RBI to lead the Jackrabbits.

Right-handed pitcher Andrew Clemen (3-9) suffered the loss after allowing four earned runs on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and three walks.

The Bison and Jackrabbits are slated to play game two of the series at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Newman Outdoor Field.