Bison Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Oral Roberts

PHOTO/BEN COHEN

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU ATHLETICS)– Garret Hill smashed a walk-off home run in the ninth inning of game two to help lift the North Dakota State baseball team to a 7-6 win and a doubleheader split with Oral Roberts on Saturday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field.

The Bison (11-22, 8-6 Summit) dropped the opening game of the doubleheader, 10-3, after the Golden Eagles (14-24-1, 5-11-1 Summit) scored six unanswered runs over the final three innings.

The Bison totaled seven hits with Cadyn Schwabegoing 3-of-4 at the plate. The Thompson, N.D., native also stole one base on one attempt in the opening inning to set the NDSU record for stolen bases in a career with 53. Sam Canton also delivered his second home run of the season with a solo shot in the sixth frame.

Leland Wilson (1-4) made the start on the mound going 6.0 innings with five strikeouts on the hill. NDSU went on to use four pitchers in relief with Reese Ligtenberg and Hayden Sylte each appearing for a frame.

NDSU bounced back in game two with a 7-6 win over Oral Roberts following a walk-off home run from Hill in the ninth inning.

After both teams entered the eighth inning tied, 6-6, Skyler Riedinger entered the game in the ninth and sent the Golden Eagles down in order with two pop ups and a ground out. Colten Becker and Canton then followed it up in the bottom with back-to-back fly outs. Hill answered for NDSU with a two-out solo home run in the ninth to seal the 7-6 walk-off win.

NDSU combined for 12 hits as a team with five different players notching multiple hits. Jack Steil led the way with two hits and a game-best three RBI.

Logan Knight made the start on the hill going 5.0 innings with four strikeouts. Riedinger (1-1) earned the win finishing out the final scoreless frame.

NDSU and Oral Roberts will conclude the three-game series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m., at Newman Outdoor Field.