Box Score (PDF)

GREELEY, Colo. – The North Dakota State University baseball team dropped the opening game of a four-game set at the University of Northern Colorado, 7-5, Friday, March 3, at Jackson Field.

With the loss, the Bison dip to 5-4 overall while the Bears improve to 4-6 on the season.

Senior right fielder Ben Petersen went 1-for-2 in the batter's box and hit his team-best third home run of the season to lead North Dakota State. He also tallied a pair of RBIs and a walk.

Sophomore reliever Jordan Harms (0-2) suffered the loss on the mound for the Bison after giving up three earned runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Petersen broke a 4-4 tie and gave NDSU a 5-4 lead in the top of the eighth inning after belting a round-tripper to left center.

The advantage was short-lived, though, as Northern Colorado's Nick Tanner connected for a two-run home run in the bottom-half of the eighth to put the Bears up, 6-5. Payton Tapia added another run in the inning for UNC with a one-out RBI double.

Brett Minnick and Evan Johnson each compiled two hits while Tanner drove in three runs to pace the Bears at the plate.

UNC reliever Jacob Howard (2-0) earned the victory after throwing two innings in relief.

The Bison and Bears are scheduled to play a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. MT (noon CT) Saturday, March 4, at Jackson Field.