IRVINE, Calif. – The North Dakota State baseball team came up short in the season opener at UC Irvine, 14-2, on Friday night at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark.

After Parker Puetz got two quick outs, the Anteaters (1-0) added a run on a balk before Caden Kendle followed it up with a single through the right side to jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. UC Irvine, who entered the week receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches' Poll, then plated a run in the second with the use of a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-0.

The Anteaters carried the momentum into third pushing across three runs on three hits to stretch the advantage to 6-0 after Jo Oyama dropped a single over the shortstop. Colten Becker, who was making his Bison debut, answered for NDSU (0-1) driving a two RBI single into left to cut the deficit to 6-2 in the fourth inning.

Following a scoreless fifth inning, UC Irvine then began to put the game away adding three more runs in the sixth after a two-run double off the bat of Myles Smith and a sac fly to extend the lead to 9-2. NDSU wasn't able to get anything going over the final three innings and went on to drop the contest, 14-2.
The Bison notched eight hits as a team with Becker leading the way going 3-of-4 at the plate with two RBI.

Puetz (0-1) made the start on the hill with two strikeouts over 1.2 innings. Leland Wilson also added two strikeouts over 2.2 frames from the bullpen.

NDSU will continue its series with UC Irvine tomorrow. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. CT