The North Dakota State University baseball team played its first home games of the season on Apr. 19, splitting a doubleheader against Omaha at Newman Outdoor Field. The Bison lost the first game 6-5 and won the second game 6-1.
This series marked NDSU’s return to Fargo after opening their season with 27 consecutive road games. The doubleheader provided fans an opportunity to see the team compete at home for the first time this year.
In the opening game, Omaha built an early lead by scoring six runs in the first three innings, including a two-run single from Cardale Dick in the third. NDSU responded with a two-run homer by Dante Smith and a solo shot from Colten Becker in the sixth inning, narrowing Omaha’s lead to three runs. Additional runs came from Smith’s sacrifice fly and Becker scoring on an error, but NDSU ultimately fell short.
Chase Womack led NDSU offensively with two hits and one RBI while Smith contributed three RBI on one hit. Parker Puetz started for NDSU with two strikeouts over three innings before Sheamus Ryan pitched six scoreless innings in relief.
In game two, Bennett Freiter put NDSU ahead early with an RBI groundout. Kaden Connor added another run before Colten Becker’s RBI single and Kyle Law’s three-run homer expanded their lead to five runs by the fifth inning. After Omaha scored once due to an error, Blake Timmons drove in another run for NDSU. Jonah Walker earned his first win of the season pitching six innings while Zak Szabo recorded his first career save as a Bison with four strikeouts over three scoreless frames.
NDSU will continue its schedule facing Minnesota on Tuesday night.
