FARGO, N.D. - Western Illinois (21-36, 13-15) and North Dakota State (21-30, 15-12) wrapped up the final weekend of Summit League regular season play on Saturday afternoon. NDSU scored nine runs for the second consecutive game to win the finale and the series, 9-4.

Zach Sterling (5-4) took the hill for the Purple & Gold for the first time since May 7 at IPFW and the rust showed for the junior right-hander.

On senior day for the Bison, Kirk Kenneally tripled home a run to give NDSU an early 1-0 lead. Following the triple, a wild pitch from Sterling allowed Kenneally to score and the Bison held a 2-0 advantage.

The Bison worked their way to a 5-0 lead with three runs on four hits including a two-RBI double from Preston Ghizoni.

Sterling lasted just 1.1 innings and was pulled after allowing five runs. Dustin Hunter replaced Sterling and worked out of a bases-loaded jam without allowing any more damage.

Ryan Cowhey drove a fly ball over the left center field wall for his sixth home run of the season to close the gap to 5-1. Anthony Kaskadden followed with a single to knock starter Mark Schroeder from the game. Glenn Parker entered the game in the third inning for NDSU.

Three hits, a Leatherneck error and two stolen bases led to three more runs in the bottom of the third inning and NDSU was cruising, 8-1.

Bryan Jordan singled to start the fourth inning and John Koszulinski drew a walk. Tom Lilja grounded into a double play started by the second baseman allowing Jordan to advance to third on the play.

Danny Marcuzzo collected his third RBI of the series with a single into center field. Western now trailed 8-2 with five innings left to play.

Zach Wentz (3-6) replaced Parker and kept the Leathernecks quiet.

Hunter was effective as he went 3.2 innings, allowing three unearned runs and collected five strikeouts.

Brian Loconsole replaced Hunter in the sixth and kept the deficit at 8-2 with two scoreless innings.

The Bison did finally get to Loconsole in the eighth after a lead off walk and a single from Max Casper. The fourth error of the afternoon charged to the Leathernecks allowed Jay Hartman to score and pushed the home team's lead to 9-2.

Jason Matilla entered in the top of the ninth to finish the game for the Bison. Jake Moore appeared as a pinch hitter and drew a walk before advancing to second on a Marcuzzo ground out.

Cowhey reached on a fielding error by the Bison second baseman to score Moore from second. Cowhey advanced to second base on a throwing error on the play.

Kaskadden kept the rally going with a single through the right side to close NDSU's lead to 9-4.

The comeback attempt would stall and a strikeout would end the game and give the Bison the victory.

Marcuzzo, Cowhey and Kaskadden all collected RBI while Kaskadden was the only Leatherneck with multiple hits.

Sterling allowed five earned runs in 1.1 while walking three and collecting three strikeouts. Hunter went 3.2 strong innings before Loconsole finished the game with three innings and did not allow an earned run.

Five Bison pitchers appeared with Wentz being the most effective with 2.2 innings of work and did not allow a hit

Ghizoni and Zach Heidmann both turned in two-RBI games. Kenneally collected four hits with an RBI and scored two runs.

The Summit League Tournament will begin on Thursday, May 26 in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Leathernecks will square off with Oral Roberts at 2 p.m. The two teams split their regular season series with Western Illinois taking the first two from the Golden Eagles.