FARGO, N.D. (Interstat) — The Summit League season winds down Sunday evening for two teams searching for footing when South Dakota State visits North Dakota State at Newman Outdoor Field.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures near 69 degrees.

The Bison (9-26) won the series opener 8-1 on Friday behind a strong start from right-hander Brayden Marks. He allowed one earned run on three hits while striking out three over six innings in his best outing of the season.

Marks struggled in his previous start, surrendering eight earned runs in three innings against Northern Colorado, but appears to have found his rhythm against a Jackrabbits lineup that has scored fewer than four runs in six of its last seven games.

South Dakota State (12-26) has dropped 10 of its last 12 contests, including a 19-2 loss to Northern Colorado on Saturday that capped a lopsided series defeat.

The Jackrabbits will counter with right-hander Sam Schlecht, who matched Marks pitch-for-pitch in Friday’s loss. Despite taking the loss, Schlecht did not allow a hit over six innings, striking out eight. He walked three and was undone by defensive miscues.

Schlecht has shown flashes of dominance this season. He threw 5⅔ hitless innings against St. Thomas on April 10 in a 7-2 win, fanning six. However, he also was tagged for nine hits and four earned runs in a loss to Oral Roberts on April 17.

Dayton Franke has been South Dakota State’s most consistent hitter, going 2 for 4 with an RBI in Friday’s loss. Dylan Richardson has been effective out of the bullpen, allowing two earned runs over 1⅓ innings in that game.

For North Dakota State, Caleb Corbin leads the offense. The second baseman drove in a run and went 2 for 3 on Friday. Sheamus Ryan threw three scoreless relief innings, allowing three hits and striking out two.

The Bison have won four of their last six overall, including a midweek 13-6 win at Creighton. The Jackrabbits are 2-8 in their last 10 games.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-3 North Dakota State win.

Following this three-game set, North Dakota State hosts Northern Colorado for a three-game series beginning Friday. South Dakota State returns home to face St. Thomas starting the same day.