Box Score (PDF)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The North Dakota State (1-0, 0-0 Summit) baseball team won its season opener for the fourth-straight year, as the Bison beat Sacramento State (0-1) 9-1 at John Smith Field.

The Hornets took the early 1-0 lead in the third inning on a two-out triple by Matt Smith. The Bison didn't let the lead stand for long, as Jack Simonsen doubled to right field to drive in Brock Anderson in the top of the fourth, tying the game at 1-1. In the fifth inning, Bennett Hostetler hit a two-run shot to left field, as Jake Malec scored to give NDSU a 3-1 lead.

Hostetler struck again in the seventh inning, as he jacked another one over the left field fence to give the Bison a 4-1 lead. The lead stood into the ninth inning, where the Bison offense went off for five runs on six hits for the 9-1 victory. All five runs came with two outs. Carter Thompson started the scoring with an infield single that brought in Peter Brookshaw. Another infield single, this time by Zach Solano, brought in Thompson. A single to right field by Simonsen drove in Solano and Tucker Rohde. The final run of the game came on a single to right field by Malec, as he brought in Anderson.

Simonsen led the Bison with a career-high four hits, while also driving in a career-high three runs. Brookshaw tied a school record with three doubles in the game, while Hostetler had two hits, scored two runs and drove in three with his first career multi home run game. Anderson scored a pair of runs in the victory.

Zach Smith took a no-decision in the start on the mound, giving up an earned run on three hits in 4.2 innings of work. He tied a career-high with six strikeouts, while walking two. Parker Harm picked up the win in 2.1 innings of relief work. Harm struck out six and walked four without allowing a hit. Jake Drew earned his second career save, as he struck out one in the final two innings.

The Bison return to action on Sunday, Feb. 17, as they face Sacramento State in a doubleheader. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m. (Central). A link to live video, stats and audio is available at GoBison.com.