Box Score (PDF)

MACOMB, Ill. - The North Dakota State baseball team rallied for a 5-4 win over Western Illinois Friday afternoon in the first game of the series. 

The Bison improved to 3-11 overall and 1-3 in Summit League play, while the Leathernecks dropped to 6-13 overall and 1-3 in the Summit League. The two teams will square off again on Saturday, in what is now being played as a doubleheader with no game on Sunday due to predicted weather coming into the area. First pitch of the doubleheader on Saturday has been moved up to 12 p.m. in Macomb.

A three-run sixth inning highlighted the game for the Bison. After a double by Carter Thompson and a single by Ben Tallman, Thompson scored on a sacrifice bunt by Jake Malec. A single up the middle by Brock Anderson drove in Tallman and Peter Brookshaw to give the Bison the final lead of the game.

The Bison trailed 4-0 after the first inning before scoring single runs in the third and fifth innings. A sacrifice fly in the fifth inning by Hunter Koep drove in Anderson, while a one-out double by Brookshaw in the third drove in Bennett Hostetler for the first Bison run.

Anderson had two hits and two RBI to lead the Bison. Seven other NDSU players tallied a hit in the game. Hostetler and Anderson each drew a pair of walks, as the Bison earned seven free passes on the day.

Zach Smith earned the victory on the mound, as he improved to 1-1 on the year. Smith tossed 5.2 innings, giving up four runs (one earned) on five hits and five walks, while striking out a pair. Parker Harm earned his first save of the season without allowing a hit in the final 3.1 innings. Harm walked three and struck out six.