FARGO, N.D. (Interstat) — Northern Colorado and North Dakota State close a three-game Summit League series Sunday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field, with the teams splitting the first two contests.

The Bears (14-34) won Friday 10-4 before the Bison (10-29) answered with a 12-9 victory Saturday. The forecast calls for 51 degrees and cloudy skies.

Northern Colorado designated hitter Easton Bryant looms as a key threat. In Saturday’s loss, Bryant went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, giving him six RBIs over his past three games. He has hits in four of his last five contests, including a pair of two-hit games last month.

North Dakota State center fielder Dante Smith enjoyed a breakout performance Saturday, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Smith has hit safely in five of his past six games and has driven in at least two runs in four of those outings.

The series has been tightly contested. North Dakota State won five of the seven meetings this season entering Sunday, but three of the past four games were decided by three runs or fewer. Northern Colorado edged the Bison 11-10 in 10 innings on April 11.

Both teams rank near the bottom of the Summit standings. The Bears have lost 11 of their past 14, while the Bison have dropped 10 of their last 13. North Dakota State’s pitching staff allowed 16 runs in a loss to South Dakota State on May 3, while Northern Colorado yielded 12 runs Saturday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 Northern Colorado win.

The Bears travel to face Oral Roberts starting May 14. North Dakota State visits Saint Thomas (Minn.) for a three-game series beginning the same day.