MANDAN, N.D.--Despite a three-run ninth inning highlighted by a pair of extra-base hits by Jaxon Haase and Brady Petron, the SMSU baseball team fell 6-4 to the University of Mary in its final game of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Mandan Memorial Ballpark.

The final game of the series was moved from Bismarck, N.D., due to poor field conditions at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark.

SMSU drops to 24-19 on the year and sits at 18-16 in NSIC play.

The action of the game was quiet until UMary exploded with a five-run fourth inning. A lead-off home run got the Marauders started before a bunt single and double down the left field line put two runners in scoring position. After a groundout to first held the runners, back-to-back singles plated the next pair of runs for the Marauders.

A double in the following at-bat by Kalem Haney plated the final fourth-inning run for UMary before the inning came to a close.

Max Kalenberg finally broke the Mustangs through in the seventh inning with a home run to right field but UMary responded in the bottom of the eighth with a sac fly.

SMSU made a strong comeback effort in the top of the ninth inning. Jaxon Haase led off with a double down the left field line before Kalenberg drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a groundout before a passed ball plated Haase and cut the deficit to four.

In the following at-bat, Brady Petron sent the ball down the right field line for a triple that scored Kalenberg before Keenan Wenzel singled to right field to plate Petron and cut the UMary lead to 6-4.

The Mustangs' rally was cut short following a strikeout and groundout to third base.

Ryan Chmielewski (1-5) was given the loss after allowing five runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out nine.

Jerod Cyrus, Kobe Lovell, and Cameron Jensen all tossed in relief in the game.

SMSU continues play on Tuesday with a two-game series against the University of Sioux Falls, with the first pitch of game one set for 12:30 p.m. at Legion Field