NDSU Baseball Falls in Series Opener at South Dakota State

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Nolan Johnson tossed nine strikeouts as the North Dakota State baseball team dropped the series opener at South Dakota State, 6-3, on Friday afternoon at Erv Huether Field.

South Dakota State (10-27, 6-11 Summit) grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the first inning with a two RBI double off the bat of Bryce Ronken. Both teams then battled through four scoreless frames before Davis Hamilton sparked the Bison (13-24, 10-8 Summit) with a two RBI home run to right center to tie the contest, 2-2.

The Jackrabbits responded with two runs on three hits in the seventh to regain the edge, 4-2, after Jess Bellows sent a two-run single into center field. Hamilton cut the deficit down to 4-3 in the eighth after he stole third base and then advanced home on an error. SDSU once again answered with two runs on three hits to push their lead to 6-3 with an RBI double from Luke Luskey. The Jackrabbits held off the Bison over the final frame to pick up the 6-3 win.

Johnson tossed nine strikeouts over 6.0 innings with two walks. He worked five scoreless frames and stranded seven base runners.

Hamilton posted two hits, including one home run and one double on three appearances. He also added two runs, two RBI and two stolen bases to his stat line.

NDSU will continue its series at South Dakota State tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. The second game of the doubleheader will be a makeup game rescheduled from March 29.