The North Dakota State University (NDSU) baseball team played its first home games of the season on Apr. 19, splitting a doubleheader against Omaha at Newman Outdoor Field.
After spending their first 27 games on the road, the Bison returned to Fargo and lost the opening game 6-5 before winning the second game 6-1. The series marked an important milestone for NDSU as they made their long-awaited home debut.
In the first game, Omaha built a quick lead by scoring six runs in the opening three innings, including four runs in the third capped by Cardale Dick’s two-run single. NDSU responded with a two-run homer from Dante Smith and a solo shot from Colten Becker but ultimately fell short despite late efforts that brought them within one run. Chase Womack led NDSU at the plate with two hits and one RBI, while Smith contributed three RBI. Parker Puetz started for NDSU with two strikeouts over three innings, and Sheamus Ryan pitched six scoreless relief innings with four strikeouts.
The Bison bounced back in game two as Bennett Freiter drove in Chase Womack for an early lead. Kaden Connor added another run before Colten Becker’s RBI single and Kyle Law’s three-run homer expanded their advantage to five runs. Blake Timmons also contributed an RBI single as NDSU totaled eleven hits in the victory. Jonah Walker earned his first win of the season with six strong innings and Zak Szabo closed out his first career save for NDSU.
NDSU will travel to Minnesota for its next matchup on Tuesday night.
