FARGO, N.D. – Sophomore Jake Schaffner connected on a two-run double in the ninth inning, but the North Dakota State baseball comeback fell short against Northern Colorado, 8-5, on Friday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field.

The Bears (12-24, 5-12 Summit) scored in three of the first four innings, including a five runs in the third frame to open up an 8-0 advantage after Jake King delivered a two-run double into left field in the fourth inning. The Bison (13-21, 10-6 Summit) started to chip away after Davis Hamilton scored Schaffner in the sixth with an RBI single to make the score 8-1.

Alex Urlaub then connected on a solo home run in the seventh and Sam Canton followed it up with another solo home run in the eighth to cut the deficit to 8-3. Schaffner kept the late surge going with a two-out, two RBI double in the ninth. However, the Bears held off the Bison for the final out to secure the 8-5 win.

NDSU totaled nine hits as a team with Schaffner contributing two hits, two RBI and one run. Canton also added two hits with one run and one RBI.

Logan Knight (1-4) made the start on the mound tossing three strikeouts over 3.0 innings. Landon Koenig also contributed three strikeouts over 5.0 innings in relief.

NDSU will conclude its series with Northern Colorado on Saturday. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m., at Newman Outdoor Field.