FARGO, N.D. - Lauren Furgala was 2-for-3 and Racheal Heagney hit a home run for Western Illinois, but a North Dakota State four-run fifth inning ended the final game of the conference series with the Bison on top, 4-1.

Heagney led off the second inning with a home run to left field. It was her second home run this season and it gave the Westerwinds (3-20, 2-3 The Summit League) an early 1-0 lead over the Bison (28-12, 5-1 The Summit League).

In the bottom of the third, the Bison loaded the bases with one out. Kelly Cantrell hit a sacrifice fly to right field, but eager to score, the runner on third left early resulting in the final two outs of the inning with Western still leading, 1-0.

North Dakota State tied the game when a single deep into right was misplayed and the error allowed the runner on first to score. The batter made it all the way to third on the throw and went home on the next single, to take the lead, 2-1. A two-run home run by Cantrell gave the Bison a 4-1 lead over the Westerwinds at the end of the fifth inning.

Pitcher Lori Pankratz suffered the loss, while Andi Padilla recorded the win allowing seven hits and striking out three.

The Western Illinois softball team will travel to DeKalb, Ill., for a mid-week double header against Northern Illinois, April 9 at 2 p.m.