SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - North Dakota State (22-31) used three runs in the final two innings to knock Western Illinois (21-38) out of the 2011 Summit League Baseball Championship on Friday evening with the 5-3 victory.
North Dakota State struck first in the top of the third inning with two singles and a Leatherneck error leading to a run. Zach Wentz was responsible for the RBI with a single into right center field.
The Purple & Gold were quick to answer in the bottom of the frame. Tom Lilja singled up the middle to start the inning before Chris Giglio advanced Lilja with a sacrifice bunt. Anthony Kaskadden sent a single through the right side for the first run of the game for the Leathernecks and advanced to second on the throw.
Matt Igara put Western Illinois on top with an RBI single through the left side to plate Kaskadden. After three innings, Western had a 2-1 advantage.
Both teams were held scoreless for the next two innings.
Bryan Jordan singled to right field to start the bottom of the sixth. John Koszulinski collected a single, this one through the left side. Austin Cowen sent a sacrifice bunt down the third base line to advance both runners.
NDSU elected to intentionally walk Ryan Cowhey to load the bases for Lilja. The All-League Second Team first baseman lifted a fly into right field for an RBI sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 3-1.
Two singles and a sacrifice bunt allowed Tim Colwell to narrow Western's lead to 3-2 with a sacrifice fly to right field in the seventh inning.
A single from Wentz followed by a walk from Ryan Wachholder (3-8) had the Bison threatening in the top of the eighth. Beau Below was called on to get the Leathernecks out of the jam. Nic Obey sent a double into the right center field gap to drive in both runners and put the Bison on top 4-3.
North Dakota State added a run on a single that hit off of Below and allowed a runner to score from second.
Jason Mattila was given the responsibility of collecting the final three outs for NDSU. Lilja began the inning with a single into right field. Igara singled to left center before Dan Dispensa was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Jordan. Mattila got Jordan to fly out to end the game and seal the victory for the Bison, 5-3.
Wachholder went 7.1 innings allowing four runs, walking two and striking out five. Below tossed the final 1.2 innings allowing one earned run.
Igara and Lilja both collected two hits and an RBI to lead the Leathernecks offense. Kaskadden drove in a run and scored a run with his 1-for-3 performance.
John Straka started the game for the Bison and went six innings allowing three runs on five hits. Kyle Kingsley (4-3) appeared in relief and tossed two scoreless innings with a strikeout. Mattila picked up the save, his seventh of the season.
Blake Turbak turned in a 3-for-5 game with an RBI. Wentz and Nick Colwell both collected two hits while Obey delivered the backbreaking two-RBI double in the eighth.
