MACOMB, Ill. –  The North Dakota State baseball team fell short at Western Illinois, 6-2, on Sunday afternoon at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium. 

Western Illinois (3-21, 1-4 Summit) grabbed the early 3-0 advantage after Nick Mitchell grounded out to first base to score Adam Juran. Following a scoreless fifth inning, Mitchell scored on a wild pitch to cap a three-run inning and increase the Leatherneck edge up to 6-0.

NDSU (17-9, 5-1 Summit) battled back in the seventh inning loading up the bases allowing Will Busch and Charley Hesse to each score runs following a walk to cut the deficit down to four, 6-2. The Bison once again threatened in the eighth getting two runners on, but Hesse grounded out to end the frame.  NDSU wasn't able to get anything going in the ninth and went on to drop the contest, 6-2.

Jack Simonsen paced NDSU going 2-of-4 at the plate. Evan Sankey (3-3) got the start on the mound and tossed a game-high five strikeouts with one walk over 5.0 innings. Tristen Roehrich finished the final 3.0 innings with one strikeout.

NDSU will be back in action at Minnesota on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.