Bison Single Their Way to Victory Over Western Illinois

FARGO, N.D. - Western Illinois (20-34, 12-13) dropped the first game of a four game series to North Dakota State (19-29, 13-11) on Thursday, May 19

The final regular season series for both teams will determine the final two vacant spots in the Summit League Championship, which will take place at Sioux Falls Stadium in Sioux Falls, S.D. May 26-28.

NDSU came from behind to steal an 8-7 victory to postpone any postseason-clinching celebrations to another day for Western Illinois. The Bison collected 15 hits on the evening, 14 of which were singles, on their way to the victory.

Dan Russell (6-6), the ace of Western's staff this season, took the ball in to attempt to rebound after a loss against Centenary in his last start on May 13.

Matt Igara started the contest with a walk to reach before Dan Dispensa slapped a single into left field. Austin Cowen executed his Summit League leading 15th sacrifice bunt of the season to advance both runners into scoring position.

Bryan Jordan continued his march towards a .300 batting average with a two-run single through the right side. Tom Lilja followed up another single and Danny Marcuzzo brought Jordan around to score the third run of the inning with an infield single and give Western an early 3-0 lead.

The Bison placed a run on the board in the bottom of the frame. Two singles and an errant throw from John Koszulinski on a stolen base attempt allowed NDSU to pull within two runs.

A sacrifice fly in the second inning helped the Bison narrow the gap to one run after two singles and a passed ball placed a runner in scoring position.

Igara crushed his third home run of the season down the left field line to give Western a 4-2 advantage in the fourth inning.

The offense continued to roll in the fifth inning for The Purple Army. Three consecutive singles from Cowen, Koszulinski and Jordan loaded the bases for Lilja.

The Leatherneck masher got the job done with a sacrifice fly to center field. Marcuzzo hit a fly ball to right field to plate another run and give the Leathernecks a 6-2 lead.

NDSU plated five runs on five hits including a bases clearing triple from Nic Obey, who scored on the play on an errant throw by Jordan, to take a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the inning.

The home team extended its lead to 8-6 in the eighth inning with a bunt single after two hits and a sacrifice bunt.

Igara started a late game push in the top of the ninth inning with a double down the left field line before Dan Dispensa showed off his speed with a triple into left center to bring the Purple & Gold within a run with one out.

Consecutive ground outs to shortstop stranded Dispensa at third and ended the rally to seal the victory for NDSU.

Russell went 7.1 innings and allowed eight runs (six earned) while striking out six. The junior right-hander has now worked 97.2 innings this season, the fourth best mark in a single season in program history.

Russell is also climbing the list for single-season strikeout totals. The six on Thursday brings his total to 78 and moves Russell from seventh to sixth, eclipsing the 74 punch-outs recorded by Pat Kohorst in 2004.

Beau Below entered to toss the final 0.2 of an inning and did not allow a run on one hit.

Jordan and Marcuzzo both drove in two runs to pace the Leatherneck attack. Igara, Dispensa and Lilja drove in a run each.

Colby Tognetti (4-5) went all nine innings to pick up the victory for the Bison. The senior allowed six earned runs on 11 hits while striking out three Leathernecks.

Obey and Blake Turbak combine to go 5-for-8 with five RBI and three runs scored.

The Leathernecks and the Bison will play two games on Friday with game one scheduled for 1 p.m. Tune in to the broadcast on Rocky Vision as Michael Broskowski will bring call all the action beginning at 12:45 p.m. at Newman Outdoor Field.

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Players Mentioned

#9 John Koszulinski: C; 6' 0"; Senior; R/R

#26 Tom Lilja: IF/OF; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

#6 Dan Dispensa: OF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R

#15 Bryan Jordan: OF/IF; 5' 11"; Senior; R/R

#7 Austin Cowen: IF; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

#24 Dan Russell: RHP; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#21 Danny Marcuzzo: IF; 6' 3"; Junior; R/R

#10 Matt Igara: OF; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#9 John Koszulinski
: 6' 0"; Senior; R/R
: C

#26 Tom Lilja
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: IF/OF

#6 Dan Dispensa
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#15 Bryan Jordan
: 5' 11"; Senior; R/R
: OF/IF

#7 Austin Cowen
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#24 Dan Russell
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#21 Danny Marcuzzo
: 6' 3"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#10 Matt Igara
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: OF