MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois Baseball team was doomed by fielding mistakes in a home loss to North Dakota State to begin Summit League play Friday, April 9.

The Fighting Leathernecks (7-17, 0-1 Summit) allowed six unearned runs in the contest, falling to the Bison (9-13, 1-0 Summit) by a score of 10-9.

"We really gave the game away with mistakes," Western Illinois head coach Mike Villano said. "We didn't play well fundamentally in the field and that allowed the unearned runs to come across which is why we lost."

Western jumped out to an early lead when Andrew Hagins smacked a two-run homer to center field in the bottom of the second to give Western Illinois a 2-0 lead.

"Offensively we swung the bats really well today," Villano said. "We've been able to hit the ball all year long but when you don't play well defensively it hurts you."

The Leathernecks would extend the lead to 3-0 when Jared Depenbrock came across to score on Jason Summers' RBI groundout and tacked on a run in the fourth for a 4-0 lead.

North Dakota State would roar back with four runs in the top of the sixth inning, picking up runs on a single, an error and a two-run double to tie the game at 4-4

An RBI single by Koszulinski would give Western a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth but the Bison would take a 6-5 lead with two runs in the top of the seventh.

Bryan Jordan would put the Leathernecks back on top with a three run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the score 8-6.

The Bison would take the lead for good with four runs in the top of the eighth inning on four hits and an error, plating what would be the winning run when Tanner Adam scored from third on a balk to take a 10-8 lead.

Western would pull within one when Cole Waddell scored on a wild pitch to make the score 10-9 in the eighth inning.

After a scoreless top of the ninth, the Leathernecks would threaten once more when Summers reached first after being hit by a pitch with one out, but the final two batters of the inning would fly out to end the game.

Chris Fuchs (0-2) took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on a hit and two walks and did not record an out.

Jason Mattila (2-1) picked up the win, allowing three runs on one hit in two and one thirds of an inning. Anthony Kliniske picked up his second save of the season by allowing just one run over the final two innings.

Randon Lingle allowed just one earned run in five and a third innings of work. He allowed five hits and struck out four.

"Randon was great today," Villano said. "He's been the victim of some bad luck this season when it comes to unearned runs. He just needs to keep doing what he's been doing and eventually the wins will come."

The Leathernecks will return to action against the Bison tomorrow in a doubleheader beginning at 12 noon before wrapping up the four-game series on Sunday.