FARGO, N.D. – After playing its first 38 games on the road, the North Dakota State baseball team blanked Western Illinois in its home opener, 10-0, on Friday night at Newman Outdoor Field.

After two scoreless frames, the Bison (13-26, 8-5 Summit) took control of the contest in the third inning plating five runs on five hits to open up a 5-0 advantage. Cadyn Schwabe sparked NDSU with an RBI fielder's choice before James Dunlap cracked an RBI single of his own into center field. Terrell Huggins capped the inning clearing the bases with a three RBI double into left field.

The Bison then once again erupted for a five-run frame on three hits in the eighth inning to increase their lead to 10-0. Druw Sackett smashed a two RBI single into left field and Dunlap sent a two RBI single up the middle to make the score 9-0. Jack Steil sealed the game sending a sacrifice fly into center field to secure the 10-0 run rule victory in eight innings.

Cade Feeney (5-4) delivered 7.2 scoreless frames with five strikeouts and one walk on the hill. Joey Danielson came on to finish out the final inning with one strikeout.

The Bison piled up 12 hits as a team with seven different players connecting on at least one. Dunlap totaled a season-high four hits in five at-bats. He also added three RBI with two runs and one stolen base to his stat line.

NDSU will continue its series with Western Illinois (5-31, 2-8 Summit) tomorrow. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m., at Newman Outdoor Field.