Box Score (PDF)

FARGO, N.D. - A late rally wasn't enough for the North Dakota State baseball team, as the Bison dropped an 8-7 decision to defending Summit League Champion Oral Roberts in the home opener at Newman Outdoor Field on Friday, April 19.

NDSU scored four runs in the final three innings, as the Bison dropped to 9-18 overall and 7-9 in the Summit League. Oral Roberts moved to 18-17 overall and 9-7 in the league with the victory. The two teams will square off again on Saturday, April 20, in a doubleheader at Newman Outdoor Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Oral Roberts scored first in the second inning on a pair of hits before adding another run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. NDSU answered in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game on three hits in the inning. With one out, Bennett Hostetler hit a sacrifice fly to left field, as Jayse McLean scored. A single to left field with two outs by Peter Brookshaw drove in Jake Malec and Charley Hesse. 

The Golden Eagles quickly took the lead back with two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth. The Bison wouldn't go away, as Brock Anderson scored on a single through the right side by McLean in the seventh inning. Oral Roberts scored its final run in the eighth inning before the Bison mounted a comeback. In the eighth inning, Brookshaw hit a one-out single to right field as Malec scored. Anderson then singled to right field, as Hostetler scored. 

In the bottom of the ninth, McLean hit a one-out double . With two outs, Malec singled up the middle to drive in McLean. The Bison had runners on first and second when the game ended.

Brookshaw finished with four hits and three RBI, both tied for the most by a Bison this season. McLean added three hits, while Anderson and Malec each had a pair. McLean and Malec each crossed the plate twice. Hesse pushed his hitting streak to 12 games, while Brookshaw has now reached base in 21-straight games.

Zach Smith had a no-decision in the start, going four innings on the mound. Smith had four strikeouts and a walk, while giving up three runs on six hits. Mitch O'Connor dropped to 0-2 on the year, suffering the loss in three innings on the mound. O'Connor gave up four earned runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out four. Gabe Pilla struck out one in the ninth inning.