Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
HAYS, Kan. – The Northeastern State softball team split a doubleheader against the No. 11-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers Friday afternoon at Tiger Stadium.

NSU (10-16, 2-4 MIAA) took the first game 2-0 in extra innings against FHSU (23-5, 5-1 MIAA) and dropped the second game 6-5 after leading 5-2 after six innings.

NSU 2 , FHSU 0 (box score)
The first matchup between the RiverHawks and the Tigers resulted in a scoreless game through the regulation seven innings. Heading into the top of the eighth frame senior Ashton Bruce entered the game to pinch run for senior Lindsea Ross, after Ross reached via a single to left center. Bruce scored on a fielding error on a whack from junior Madison Reed down the left field line to put NSU up 1-0.

Freshman Saharra Henson got on base after being hit by a pitch, and reached third on a fielder's choice by junior Amanda Harjo. Henson scored the second run for the RiverHawks while FHSU was preoccupied with a rundown by Harjo. Northeastern State earned the win 2-0 over Fort Hays State in extra innings after sitting down the Tigers in order in the bottom of the eighth.

Sophomore Shelby Enloe (3-1) notched the win after throwing a complete-game shutout against the nationally-ranked Tigers. She allowed four hits and zero runs.

FHSU 6 , NSU 5 (box score)
Northeastern State led Fort Hays State after opening the top of the second frame with three runs. Senior Lisa Ripperger scored on a bunt from junior Megan Robison. Robison reached home on a double from Ross. Ross scored on a single from Reed to left field to lead 3-0. FHSU plated one during the last half of the second frame.

The RiverHawks scored Reed and Henson on a single from senior Kelsi Hilderbrandt to improve the lead 5-1 in the top of the fifth frame.

The Tigers took over and added one run in the bottom of the sixth inning and four more in the bottom of the seventh after a pitching change by NSU. Fort Hays State overtook NSU 6-5 to deny the sweep for the road team.

Freshman Kayce Wooldridge (3-9) took the loss in the circle after entering the game in relief in the seventh inning. Wooldridge relieved senior Cayce Coleman, who pitched her first game since suffering an injury in the circle two weeks prior. Coleman threw for six frames, while allowing six hits and three runs. Wooldridge finished the game throwing for .2 innings. She allowed three hits and three runs.

Northeastern State was scheduled to play a doubleheader at the University of Nebraska Kearney March 23, but the games have been canceled due to inclement weather in the Kearney, Neb., area. The RiverHawks will now return to action at RiverHawks Park for a matchup with the University of Central Missouri. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. March 29.

Northeastern State Coach Clay Davis  
On Shelby Enloe Pitching Game One…
“Shelby pitched a great game to shut out the No. 11 team in the country. She has been throwing really well and is building her confidence.”

On NSU's Two Runs in the Eighth Inning…
“Madison Reed perfectly executed one of our steal-and-stop offensive plays to bring home the first run of the game. She wasn't credited with the RBI, but us taking the 1-0 lead was all because of her.”

On Cayce Coleman's Pitching in Game Two…
“Cayce Coleman threw a great game. After coming back from an injury, she put us in position for the win and after it all we couldn't close the game. I'm encouraged by how well she battled today.”

On the Split with Fort Hays State…
“If you can split with the No. 11-ranked team in the nation, then at the end of the day you have to be happy. We obviously put ourselves in ideal position to earn the sweep, but I'll definitely take the split.”

-GoRiverHawksGo.com-