Box Score 1 (PDF) |
Box Score 2 (PDF)
ITTA BENA, Miss. – The North Dakota State University baseball team improved to 3-0 on the season after sweeping a doubleheader at Mississippi Valley State University Saturday, Feb. 18. The Bison claimed a 9-6 victory in 10 innings in the opener before winning the seven-inning nightcap, 9-3.
In the extra-inning opener, NDSU junior infielder
Mason Pierzchalski provided what proved to be the game-winning hit in the top of the 10th inning. With the game tied, 6-6, the Sammamish, Wash., native belted a triple that plated two runs, and came around to score on a Delta Devil error, breaking the tie and putting the Bison in front, 9-6.
After sitting out last season due to an injury, Bison right-handed reliever
Kevin Folman entered in the bottom of the 10th and allowed no runs with two strikeouts to earn his first win since 2015.
Pierzchalski and senior outfielder
Ben Petersen each tallied two hits in four at bats to lead North Dakota State at the plate in game one, with Pierzchalski also batting in a game-high four runs.
Outfielder Jackson Webb went 4-for-5 at the plate with four RBIs to lead the Delta Devils (0-3).
Arrington Smith (0-1) took the loss on the mound for MVSU after giving up the go-ahead run in the 10th inning.
In the second game, NDSU fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning before redshirt junior outfielder
Logan Busch hit a three-run home run in the top of the second to put the Bison in front for good.
Pierzchalski led-off the frame with a single before
Bennett Hostetler worked a one-out walk, bringing Busch to the plate.
NDSU added a pair of runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth to balloon its lead to 9-3.
Pierzchalski and Petersen collected two hits, while Busch drove in three runs on his homer, leading the Bison in the batter's box in the nightcap.
NDSU left-handed starter
Zach Mayo tallied his first win of the season after tossing five innings and allowing just one earned run on one hit with seven strikeouts and four walks.
Arrington Smith compiled a hit and RBI to lead the Delta Devils.
Dustin Stewa (0-1) was the losing pitcher for MVSU after giving up three earned runs on four hits in four innings.
North Dakota State is scheduled to face Mississippi Valley State Sunday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m.
