The Bison score five runs in the bottom of the sixth and add one in the eighth for a 9-8 win

VACAVILLE, Calif. --- Senior outfielder Matthew Peters and sophomore outfielder Cory Wiltshire each knocked in two runs, but North Dakota State overcame a five-run deficit to win 9-8 in a non-conference baseball game at Travis Credit Union Park on Thursday night. The Pilots (1-5) scored three in the fifth and three more in the sixth to build an 8-3 lead. The Bison (1-1) broke loose for five in the bottom of the sixth and one more in the eighth on their way to the win.

Peters, who went 2-4 with three RBI’s in a loss to Washington State earlier Thursday, went 2-4 against NDSU. Wiltshire also went 2-4 with a home run, his first of the season. Junior shortstop Jesse Rodgers was 2 for 5 at the plate with two runs, while freshman designated hitter Chase Powell went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run.

The Bison held a 3-2 lead when the Pilots scored six runs covering the top of the fifth and sixth innings for an 8-3 lead. Portland scored an unearned run in the fifth, before Wiltshire went yard with a two-run blast that scored Powell.

In the sixth, Vetters brought home a run on a fielder’s choice. Then with Rodgers on second and Vetters on third, Peters scored Vetters on a sacrifice line-out to right field. Powell followed with an RBI single that scored Rodgers, giving the Pilots a five-run lead.

North Dakota State responded with five in the bottom of the sixth. After the Bison scored on a bases loaded walk, Matt Mossey hit a grand slam to tie the game at 8-8.

The game was still tied in the eighth when the Bison rallied with two outs. After junior Justin Ehlers (0-1) walked two straight to put runners on first and second, Ryan Langlais gave NDSU the lead with an RBI single off UP reliever Austin Dirkx.

Freshman southpaw Blaine Hardy started his first game on the hill as a Pilot and lasted 4.1 innings. He surrendered four hits and gave up three runs, none earned. He struck out two.

Portland redshirt-freshman Peter Beringhaus pitched two-thirds of an inning in relief, giving up three runs, two earned, on no hits and two walks. Josh Roberts, who relieved Beringhaus, gave up two runs on two hits in one inning of work.

Mitch McNary (1-0) pitched 1.1 innings in relief to pick up the win for the Bison.

Each team committed four errors. The Pilots outhit the Bison nine to seven.

Portland next returns to the River City Classic to play tournament co-host Sacramento State on Friday at 2 p.m. at Hornet field in Sacramento, Calif.