Bears Even Series with Explosive Start, Hold Off NDSU Rally

Friday, April 18

Fargo. N.D.

2 p.m. (3 p.m. CDT)

University of Northern Colorado

12-24, 5-12

North Dakota State

13-21, 10-6

Northern Colorado

North Dakota State

Photo by: Ally McCutchen

4/18/2025 5:28:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Northern Colorado scores eight early runs and fends off a late Bison push to claim 8-5 win; series finale set for Saturday at 11 a.m. MDT

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

FARGO, N.D. – Northern Colorado (12-24, 5-12 Summit) bounced back in a big way Friday afternoon, plating eight runs across the first four innings and holding off a late North Dakota State (13-21, 10-6 Summit) push to secure an 8-5 win in game two of the series at Newman Outdoor Field.

The Bears, who dropped Thursday's opener, evened the weekend set behind a fast start and a strong outing from starter Trevor Landen. The right-hander earned his first win of the season, tossing six innings of two-run ball while scattering five hits and striking out three.

Northern Colorado wasted no time grabbing momentum, striking first in the opening frame as Brandon Sanchez came home on a sacrifice pop-up from Jake King. The Bears blew the game open with a five-run third inning, highlighted by Kai Wagner's two-run homer to right and Jake King's two-RBI double in the fourth that pushed the lead to 8-0.

Wagner finished 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, while King tallied three RBIs on two hits. Brett Barber also chipped in two runs and two hits at the top of the order, helping the Bears compile 12 hits on the day.

North Dakota State began to chip away in the second half of the game, scoring once in each of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings before cutting the deficit to 8-5 in the bottom of the ninth on Jake Schaffner's two-run double. The Bears bullpen, Hunter Gibson, Zach Hose, and Brady Hudson, combined to limit further damage and strand the potential tying run on deck.

With the win, Northern Colorado snapped a two-game skid and denied the Bison a chance to clinch the series early. The Bears will look to take the rubber match and secure their second Summit League series win of the season in tomorrow's finale.

First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. MDT tomorrow.

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