FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State baseball team split a doubleheader against South Dakota State after winning the first game, 9-8, and dropping the series finale, 11-7, on Saturday at Newman Outdoor Field.
Both teams traded runs in the first three innings of game one until South Dakota State (13-16, 6-5 Summit) grabbed a 4-3 lead after Cael Frost scored following a fielder's choice. The Bison (8-19, 5-4 Summit) then erupted for six runs over the next two innings to open up a 9-5 edge after Busch scored on a throwing error in the fifth.
The Jackrabbits responded in the sixth with three runs, including a two-run home run off the bat of Jordan Sagedahl to pull within one, 9-8. However, NDSU went on to hold off four South Dakota State baserunners over the final three frames to secure the 9-8 victory.
The Bison combined for 10 total strikeouts as a team with
Logan Knight (2-2) earning the win after tossing five strikeouts over 5.0 innings.
Joey Danielson closed out the final 2.2 frames with three strikeouts, one hit and one walk.
NDSU also totaled nine hits as a team with
James Dunlap leading the way with two hits and a season-best four RBI.
Jake Schaffner also went 2-of-5 at the plate with two runs and one RBI.
In game two, both teams once again exchanged runs until the Bison stole a 6-5 lead in fifth after
Davis Hamilton delivered an RBI single. South Dakota State quickly answered in the sixth inning plating five runs on five hits to build a 10-6 lead after Dawson Parry sent a two-run single into left field. The Bison couldn't get anything going over the final three innings and went on to drop the contest, 11-7.
NDSU notched 10 hits as a team with four different players logging at least two.
Garret Hill paced the Bison with a career-high four RBI to go along with two hits and one run.
Landon Koenig made the start on the mound going 5.1 innings with two strikeouts.
Alex Karns (1-2) picked up the loss over 3.0 innings of work.
NDSU will be back in action at Minnesota on Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.