Through its first 24 games of the season, the UND baseball team didn't score 10 runs in a game.
Last week, the Sioux did it four times.
UND's offense heated up to win four of five games last week. The Sioux hope to build off that momentum as they travel to Fargo today to take on North Dakota State at Newman Outdoor Field at 6:30 p.m.
UND's hottest hitter, Josh Ray, is batting .490 during Great West Conference play, which is good for second in the conference.
The senior outfielder is hitting a team-best .353 overall. Two others are hitting better than .300: Grand Forks native Andy Sadler is batting .347 and Jake Magner is at .309.
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"I was just going to the plate with the approach of not trying to do too much," said Ray, who is batting .600 during his seven-game hitting streak. "I kept a level swing. I wasn't trying to put the ball out of the park."
Ray, though, was able to put the ball out of the park in UND's win over Chicago State on Friday. For the year, Ray has four doubles, two triples and three home runs.
"This weekend was big just to get us some momentum," Ray said.
The Sioux, who are 6-23 overall, took three of four games from the Bison last year when the series was played at the Metrodome.
Ray led the offensive charge against the Bison last year. He was 7-for-15 in the four-game set and had four doubles.
Today will mark the first time the teams have met in North Dakota since 2005. The Sioux have taken nine of the last 10 games from the Bison, who enter the series this year with a 14-21 mark heading in to Tuesday's matchup with Minnesota.
"The guys felt great taking four of five games last week and hopefully they can use that as a springboard heading into NDSU," UND coach Jeff Dodson said.
Miller reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1121; (800) 477-6572, ext. 121; or send e-mail to tmiller@gfherald.com .
