MACOMB, Ill. - After 677 days, baseball finally returned to Alfred D. Boyer Stadium for the Western Illinois baseball team (4-10, 0-1) on Friday (March 19) afternoon.
The Leathernecks fell to North Dakota State (12-3, 1-0) 11-2 in the Summit League and home opener.
Leading 2-0 in the third, a WIU error to start helped set up a five-run frame for the Bison. NDSU also added a run in the fourth and three more in the eighth.
Western knocked 10 total hits as Alex Dorethy, and Derek Botaletto each had two. A two-out single from the junior brought in the lone runs on the day.
Six other 'Necks recorded a hit as they left 10 total runners on base.
Parker Heidorf completed the final two innings for his second appearance of the season while striking out three batters.
WIU and NDSU continue the series with a doubleheader tomorrow at Noon. Brian Raymond will make his first career start, and Chandler Fochs is set to start game two.
