Box Score (PDF)

MACOMB, Ill. – Junior Drew Fearing hit an RBI single in the top of the ninth inning to lead the North Dakota State University baseball team to a 1-0 win over Western Illinois Sunday, March 26, at Alfred Boyer Stadium in Macomb, Illinois.

With the victory, the Bison improve to 9-14 on the season and 2-4 in Summit League play while the Leathernecks drop to 5-16 overall and 3-3 in league action.

With the game locked in a scoreless tie, entering the top of the ninth, NDSU senior catcher Danny Palmiscno led off the frame with a single to left field before advancing to second base on Alec Abercrombie's sacrifice bunt. Fearing stepped to the plate and smacked a single to center field, allowing Palmiscno to cross home plate to put NDSU in front, 1-0.

After giving up a lead-off walk to open the bottom of the ninth, Bison right-handed reliever Kevin Folman got three straight outs with a fielder's choice and a pair of strikeouts, sealing the win for North Dakota State.

Abercrombie went 2-for-3 at the plate, and Fearing drove in the game-winning run, leading NDSU offensively in the game.

NDSU starter Jordan Harms tossed six scoreless innings and only gave up three hits while striking out a season-best seven batters. Folman earned the win after throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to improve to 2-0 on the season.

Infielder Jonathan Fleek tallied two hits to pace the Leathernecks at the plate.

WIU reliever Nate Westfahl (0-3) suffered the loss on the mound after giving up one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts in three innings pitched.

North Dakota State is scheduled to open a three-game Summit League series at Omaha Friday, March 31, at 4 p.m. in Omaha, Neb.