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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State baseball team swept Truman State Sunday afternoon to win the series at Thomas C. Rousey Field.
 
The RiverHawks (5-3, 5-3 MIAA) won the first game 10-4 on the strength of three home runs from junior right fielder Cody Robinson and a complete-game performance from senior pitcher Craig George.
 
NSU took the rubber match 12-7 over the Bulldogs (2-6, 2-6 MIAA), and all 12 RiverHawk runs came with two outs.
 
NSU 10, TSU 4 (box score)
Truman State got on the board in the first inning when Zak Larkin hit a leadoff home run. Sophomore catcher David Weber tied the game on a sacrifice fly from freshman shortstop Andrew Walker in the top of the second, and a double by senior center fielder Trent Wilkins plated two and gave the RiverHawks the lead for good.
 
Robinson hit a two-run blast in the top of the third to cap a three-run frame, which put the visitors on the scoreboard ahead 6-1. Robinson went on to hit solo home runs in both the fifth and seventh innings as Northeastern State powered to the six-run triumph.
 
George (2-0) threw a complete game and earned the win after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits. He struck out three and walked one.
 
Larkin was the only member of the Bulldogs to post multiple hits, and he also scored twice. NSU outhit Truman State 14-7.
 
Logan Siegler (1-1) took the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits. Cody Gardner tossed the final 1.2 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits.
 
NSU 12, TSU 7 (box score)
Northeastern State built a 5-2 lead after six innings, but the Bulldogs exploded for six runs in the home half of the sixth to take a 7-5 lead.
 
The RiverHawks responded with a four-run eighth, capped off by a three-run home run from junior left fielder Kyle Singleton. NSU tacked on three insurance runs in the ninth to secure the five-run triumph and earn the series victory over TSU.
 
Senior shortstop Kegan Knight ended the game with four runs batted in following a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Senior second baseman Chad Davidson had two hits and scored twice, and Singleton drove home three.
 
Senior Trevor Walch picked up a no-decision after throwing the first 5.2 innings. He allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits. Senior Frank Sprick (2-0) was credited with the win after pitching the next 1.1 innings. He allowed one run and two hits. Junior Addison Williams and sophomore Seth Hudson combined to toss a perfect final two frames.
 
NSU outhit the Bulldogs 7-6.
 
Jarod Hahn drove home three for the Bulldogs, and Larkin was the lone member of the squad with multiple hits. He scored twice and drove home two runs.
 
Jarrett Eiskina started on the mound for TSU and earned a no-decision following 5.2 innings of work. He gave up five runs (two earned) on four hits. Taylor Brooks relieved Eiskina and gave up two runs, but did not give up a hit. Tyler McCreary (0-2) threw the next inning and took the loss after allowing five runs (two earned) on three hits. Tyler Spencer came on to record the final out.
 
Northeastern State is scheduled to travel to Pittsburg, Kan., for a midweek noon doubleheader Feb. 26. The forecasted weather calls for rain and snow, so there may be a change to the schedule.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH TRAVIS JANSSEN
On the team battling back to win the series over Truman State…
“(Falling behind in a series) is a habit we don't want to get into the rest of the season, but our team has showed resiliency when faced with that situation so far this year. We have good character on this team. We have a bunch of solid character guys. Of course we didn't want to lose (the first game of the series), but we came out with the right mind frame today and we got the job done.”
 
On the players that stood out…
“The first two guys that stood out were Craig George and Trevor Walch. We needed two quality starts, and we got that from our starting pitching. It's a shame Trevor didn't have anything to show for it (earned a no-decision in the second game), but both of those guys got the game going under control. That was something we desperately needed. Offensively, we were very good throughout the lineup. We had different guys step up in both games. Cody Robinson's three home runs were big in the first game, and Kyle Singleton had a heck of an at-bat late in the second game. He had struggled all day, but he was able to hit a huge home run that turned the momentum of the game.”
 
On where the team sits at this point of the season…
“We have a lot of room to improve, and I think the ceiling is high for this team. We need a couple of guys to step up in a couple different pitching roles, but I'm happy with the guys right now. They have the right attitude, and our chemistry is good. Right now, we're swinging the bats well, but we also have to pitch and play defense. I think we will continue to get better.”
 
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