Straka Tosses Third Shutout as Bison Top Southern Utah in Series Opener, 2-0

FARGO, N.D. - John Straka struck out eight and walked none as North Dakota State beat Southern Utah 2-0 in the first of a four-game Summit League baseball series Friday, May 4, at Newman Outdoor Field.

It was the third complete game and shutout of the year for Straka, who allowed six singles and improved to 7-2 on the season.  He tied the NDSU single-season record for shutouts set by Barry Dahm in 1992.

Zach Wentz hit sacrifice flies in the sixth and eighth innings for NDSU's two runs.  Tim Colwell was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in the sixth, and Max Casper scored for NDSU (34-11, 10-3) in the eighth after a leadoff bunt single.

Mitchell Kauweloa was 2-for-4 for Southern Utah (13-27, 7-5).  Chase Rezac pitched all eight innings with six hits, one strikeout and no walks, and dropped to 2-7 on the year.

The Bison and Thunderbirds are scheduled to play a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday, May 5, and the series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, May 6.