Box Score (PDF)
MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois University Leathernecks shut out the North Dakota State University baseball team, 2-0, in the first game of a three-game Summit League series Saturday, March 17, at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium.
North Dakota State (7-10, 0-1 Summit League) and Western Illinois (1-12, 1-0 Summit League) are slated to conclude the series with a doubleheader starting at noon on Sunday, March 18.
The Bison and Leathernecks both tallied six hits in the contest, but NDSU left 12 runners on-base, compared to just six for WIU.
Senior infielders
Drew Fearing and
Mason Pierzchalski each compiled two hits to pace North Dakota State at the plate.
Sophomore right-hander
Riley Johnson (2-3) suffered the loss on the mound for the Bison after giving up two runs, one earned, on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts in eight innings.
Justin Fitzpatrick and Deion Thompson led the Leathernecks in the batter's box with one hit and one RBI apiece.
WIU starting pitcher Ian Koch (1-4) earned the win after allowing no earned runs on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts in six innings. Alex Dorethy secured his first save of 2018 after throwing three scoreless innings.