Box Score FARGO, N.D. - Western Illinois baseball fell in its weekend opener, 8-2, at North Dakota State Friday (April 18) in Fargo. The Bison jumped out to an early lead and held on for their first conference victory of the season. Western falls to 10-20 overall and 5-4 in league play.NDSU scored first in the bottom half of the first inning after Tim Colwell led off with a double and came around to score on a ground out to make it 1-0.
After a scoreless second the Bison added three more runs in both the third and fourth innings to take a 7-0 lead. NDSU notched five total hits during the two-inning stretch and capitalized on a WIU error to extend their lead.
The Leathernecks scored their two runs in the sixth after recording four straight singles. Neil DeCook posted his fifth career multiple RBI game after his single scored Travis Stafford and Zack Burling.
The Bison added their final run in the seventh to make it 8-2, which would be the final. NDSU left 12 runners on base during the game and out-hit the Leathernecks 10-6.
On the mound Aaron Michel (3-5) started and took the loss after throwing 5.2 innings with a pair of strikeouts and six runs allowed. Tyler Stolz threw the final 2.1 innings with two strikeouts, both season-highs for the true freshman.
NDSU starter David Ernst (3-2) threw all nine innings for the Bison and recorded three strikeouts.
The Leathernecks and Bison meet again Saturday (April 19) for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Tyler Willman and John White are slated to start for the Fighting Leathernecks on the mound.
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