STANFORD, Calif. – A big fifth inning for North Dakota State was too much for Stanford to overcome on a wet Friday evening, dropping its home opener 9-1 in five innings.

With a constant mist falling throughout the game, the Cardinal (3-3) managed just one run on four hits. Kaitlin Schaberg and Jessica Plaza provided the highlights offensively with a double apiece.

"We didn't play to the level we're capable of playing," said Stanford head coach Rachel Hanson. "We need to come out with more competitive fire and intensity."

Carolyn Lee (1-2) made her third start of the season and battled through challenging conditions to permit four runs on seven hits and three walks with one strikeout in 4.0 innings. She was relieved in the fifth inning by Haley Snyder who tossed 1.0 innings, surrendering five runs (three earned) on two hits, two walks and one strikeout.

"Carolyn did really well to come out and battle on a day when she didn't necessarily have her A-game," said Hanson.

The Bison (4-3) were aggressive at the plate and had their leadoff batter in each inning reach base. Kaitlyn Leddy got the start in the circle and held Stanford to one run on four hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 5.0 innings.

Stanford found itself in an early hole when North Dakota State scored a run in three of the first four innings. The Cardinal produced a run in the first inning when Kylie Sorenson ran home from third after a wild pitch. However, that was all Stanford would get on the evening.

The Cardinal ran into trouble in the top of the fifth inning when it gave up six runs on two hits and two errors. The Bison batted around its lineup to take a commanding 9-1 lead.

Stanford went down in order in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the contest by a run-rule decision.

The Cardinal looks to rebound with a pair of games Saturday morning at 10 a.m. against Saint Mary's. Stanford will play its second game immediately after its first against Long Beach State with a scheduled start time of 12:30 p.m.