TAMPA, Fla. – The North Dakota State baseball team loaded up the bases in the ninth inning, but went on to drop a 3-1 decision at South Florida on Wednesday night.

The Bison (0-5) jumped out a to a quick 1-0 lead after Tyman Long delivered a clutch two-out RBI single in the first inning. The Bulls (4-1) answered in the fourth inning with a two RBI single from Jackson Mirza to steal a 2-1 edge. The game then went scoreless for three frames until Rafael Betancourt added insurance with an RBI ground out to extend the lead to 3-1 in the eighth. The Bison made one final comeback attempt to load the bases in the ninth after Evan Gustafson was walked, but left them stranded to drop the contest, 3-1.

The Bison posted five hits as a team with Long, Dante Smith, Caleb Corbin, Kaden Connor and Tommy Simon each contributing one.

Garrett Shupe (0-1) made the start on the mound and tossed four strikeouts with two walks over 3.2 innings. Zak Szabo also provided 2.0 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts and no walks.

NDSU will be back in action against Stetson at the Stetson Tournament on Friday. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. CT