Box Score (PDF)

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University baseball team scored three runs in the eighth inning to rally from a 4-1 deficit against South Dakota State University, but the Jackrabbits plated three runs in the top of the ninth inning and held on to defeat the Bison, 7-4, in the final game of the 2016 regular season on Saturday, May 21, at Newman Outdoor Field in front of 277 spectators.

With the setback, the Bison end their season at 29-25 overall and 12-18 in Summit League play, while South Dakota State clinches a spot in The Summit League tournament and improves to 21-33 on the season and 13-17 in league play. The 29 wins marks the most victories for North Dakota State since the 2012 season.

Junior Ben Petersen went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and hit the game-tying two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead North Dakota State. Sophomore Drew Fearing added two hits, a double and drove in a run.

Redshirt junior right-hander Sean Terres (1-3) suffered the loss on the mound for NDSU after giving up three earned runs on three hits in 3 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and one walk.

The Bison trailed the Jackrabbits, 4-1, entering the bottom of the eighth inning. Fearing cut the Jackrabbit lead in half with an RBI double to left field, before Petersen stepped to the plate and blasted a 1-2 pitch over the left field fence to tie the game at four. It was Petersen's fourth homer of the season.

The Jackrabbits responded, though, scoring three runs in the top of the ninth on two-out RBI singles from Matthew Johnson and Newt Johnson to take a 7-4 lead.

Tony Kjolsing and Matthew Johnson both compiled three hits to lead the Jackrabbits.

Right-hander Chris Halbur (1-0) tallied the win on the mound for SDSU after allowing one earned run on two hits in one inning, while reliever Will McAffer earned the save by tossing a scoreless bottom of the ninth with a pair of strikeouts.