Box Score (PDF)

MACOMB, Ill. – Redshirt junior Logan Busch hit a two-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to lift the North Dakota State University baseball team to a 7-5 win over the Western Illinois University Leathernecks Friday, March 24, at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium in Macomb, Illinois.

With the victory, NDSU improves to 8-13 overall and 1-3 in Summit League play while WIU falls to 4-15 on the season and 2-2 in league action.

After Western Illinois scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to gain a 5-4 lead, the Bison answered with a trio of runs in the top of the ninth to take a 7-5 advantage.

Drew Fearing walked to lead-off the frame before JT Core doubled to right center, advancing Fearing to third base with no outs. Fearing crossed home plate on Mason Pierzchalski's RBI ground out, tying the game, before Busch stepped up to the plate with two outs. The outfielder from Inver Grove Heights, Minn., sent a 2-2 pitch over the center field fence to break the tie and give the Bison the lead. It was Busch's third homer of the season.

The Leathernecks hit a lead-off double in the bottom of the ninth, but Bison right-hander Kevin Folman ended the threat with two ground outs and a strikeout, securing the victory for North Dakota State.

Busch led NDSU at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored, two doubles, a homer and four RBIs. Fearing added a pair of hits.

NDSU right-handed starter Luke Lind struck out a career-high eight batters in six innings and only allowed two hits and two earned runs.

Left-hander Chris Choles (2-1) earned the win on the mound after tossing two innings in relief, while Folman picked up his second save of the season.

Sophomore infielder Deion Thompson went 2-for-4 in the batter's box with two home runs and three RBIs to pace the Leathernecks offensively.

WIU pitcher Sam Cottingham-Beard (1-1) suffered the loss after giving up three earned runs on two hits in one inning.

Game two of the three-game series against Western Illinois is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium. The start time has been moved up two hours due to forecasted rain.