MACOMB, Ill. - Runs weren't an issue in either of the two games played at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium Sunday (March 28), where the Western Illinois softball team played host to North Dakota State. 

The Bison walked away with a 15-9 victory in game one before Western evened the series with an 11-3 success in the finale. 

North Dakota State 15, Western Illinois 9  

NDSU struck first, but three straight walks crossed just as many Leathernecks to knot the game at 4-4 at the end of the first inning. 

In the top half of the fourth frame, the Bison burst the scoring wide open by plating four runs, but their lead wasn't a lengthy one, as the Leathernecks scrapped together a few of their own. Jorja Hudson knocked a sacrifice fly to drive in Savannah Rodriguez, Foote drove in a run with an RBI single, and a passed ball scored Ashley Minyard to tie up the game once more at nine. 

The Bison continued their rally in the top half of the fifth, scoring six runs to take a 15-9 lead. 

Western Illinois 11, North Dakota 3 

Game two could best be summed up in two words -- home runs. Western led the visiting Bison 4-2 at the end of the first frame and never trailed again. 

Bella Alvarez will never forget her first collegiate homer -- a grand slam to center field -- and the game ended on back-to-back solo bombs from Kellie Marcheschi and Savannah Rodriguez in the sixth.

Abby Carlin pitched the entire way in her fifth win of the season, shutting down NDSU with a pair of runs and six strikeouts. 

The Leathernecks continue their eight-game homestand with a set against South Dakota State April 2-3.