BROOKINGS, S.D. – The North Dakota State baseball team connected on three home runs to help pick up the 6-1 win over South Dakota State in the series opener on Friday afternoon at Erv Huether Field.

Colten Becker got the Bison (4-17, 1-3 Summit) off to a fast start after he lifted a two-run home run to right field to make the score 2-0 in the opening inning. Nolan Grawe answered for the Jackrabbits (5-17, 0-4 Summit) in the fourth after he delivered an RBI single through the right side to cut the edge in half, 2-1.

Following a scoreless fifth, Becker once again responded for NDSU with his second two-run home run of the game to right center to extend the lead to 4-1. The Bison then put the game out of reach in the eighth inning with a solo home run off the bat of Kyle Law and an RBI double from Diego Trujillo to seal the 6-1 victory.

NDSU combined for seven hits as a team with Becker going 2-of-3 at the plate with two runs and a season-best four RBI.

Parker Puetz (1-3) made the start and tossed seven strikeouts across 6.0 innings with four hits, three walks and one run. Sheamus Ryan earned his first career save closing out the final 3.0 scoreless innings.

Due to expected weather on Sunday, the series will shift to a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon. Game two will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.