TUCSON, Ariz. - The Arizona Wildcats scored three runs in the first inning and held on for a 3-1 win over North Dakota State in the college baseball opener for both teams Friday, Feb. 17, before a crowd of 3,997 at Hi Corbett Field.

Robert Refsnyder had a one-out RBI single in the first to put the Wildcats ahead, then stole second and scored the eventual winning run on a Johnny Field triple.  Seth Mejias-Brean lifted a sacrifice fly for Arizona's final run.

Wildcats starter Kurt Heyer gave up one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks for the victory.  Stephen Manthei fanned three of the seven batters he faced for the save. NDSU starter John Straka gave up five hits in five innings with two walks and one strikeout for the loss.

North Dakota State's best threat came in the top of the first inning.  The Bison loaded the bases with an infield single by Nick Colwell, a double by Blake Turbak and a walk to Zach Wentz before Heyer ended it with a strikeout and fly ball.

The Bison wasted a one-out triple by Max Casper in the fifth before finally scoring in the sixth when Wentz walked, moved to second on a Wes Satzinger single, advanced on a Tyler Steen hit-by-pitch, and scored on Kirk Kenneally's sacrifice fly.

NDSU stayed in the game with a terrific relief outing by Simon Anderson, who retired eight straight batters after a leadoff single in the sixth.  He had three strikeouts.

Casper finished 2-for-4 batting in the No. 9 spot for NDSU.  Field was 4-for-4 with two doubles and a triple for Arizona.

Game 2 of the series is at 4 p.m. MST on Saturday, Feb. 18, and the series finale starts at 12 p.m. MST on Sunday, Feb. 19.