Bison Split Doubleheader at Western Illinois Sunday

Sunday, March 18

Macomb, Ill.

12 p.m.

North Dakota State

8-10, 0

Western Illinois

1-13, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
North Dakota State	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	2	5	0
Western Illinois	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
North Dakota State	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	6	1
Western Illinois	0	2	1	0	1	0	0	2	X	6	13	0

North Dakota State University Bison third baseman Matt Elsenpeter (2) follows through on his swing during a game against the University of Arizona Wildcats at Hi Corbett Field on March 11, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. (Zachary Lucy Photography)

Photo by: Zachary Lucy

Bison Split Doubleheader at Western Illinois Sunday

3/18/2018 6:40:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Box Score 1 (PDF) | Box Score 2 (PDF)

MACOMB, Ill. – The North Dakota State University baseball team split a Summit League doubleheader against the Western Illinois University Leathernecks Sunday, March 18, at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium, winning game one, 2-1 in 10 innings, before losing the nightcap, 6-3.

North Dakota State (8-11, 1-2 Summit League) is scheduled to continue Summit League play with a three-game series at Fort Wayne March 23-25.

In the Bison's 2-1 extra-inning triumph in game one, senior Matt Elsenpeter went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, pacing NDSU at the plate.

Senior closer Kevin Folman (1-0) earned his first win of the season on the mound after tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Folman didn't allow hit while striking out two batters in relief of NDSU starter Blake Stockert, who allowed only one earned run on four hits with seven strikeouts and three walks in 6 2/3 innings.

With the game tied, 1-1, entering the top of the 10th inning, Elsenpeter hit a double down the left field line to lead-off the frame, before advancing to third on a Western Illinois error and scoring on Drew Fearing's RBI ground out to put the Bison in front, 2-1.

Folman sealed the victory after working around a one-out hit by pitch with fly out and a fielder's choice out in the bottom of the 10th.

Deion Thompson led the Leathernecks (2-13, 2-1 Summit League) in the batter's box in game one, going 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Jace Warkentien (0-1) suffered the loss after surrendering one unearned run on two hits with one strikeout and one walk in two innings.

In game two, North Dakota State raced out to a 3-0 lead after scoring a combined three runs in the first and second innings.

Western Illinois responded, though, plating two runs in the bottom of the second, and a run each in the third and fifth innings to gain a 4-3 edge.

The Leathernecks added their fifth and sixth runs of the contest in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Senior Logan Busch went 1-for-3 with two RBI to lead NDSU offensively in game two.

Bison reliever Parker Harm (1-1) took the loss after giving up one earned run on four hits with a strikeout and walk in 3 1/3 innings.

Bailey Montgomery was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, run scored and two RBI, leading WIU.

Jordan Mikel (1-0) was the winning pitcher after allowing no earned runs on one hit with three strikeouts and two walks in 3 1/3 innings of work. Pete Minella earned the save after throwing a scoreless ninth inning.