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EDMOND, Okla. – The Northeastern State baseball team blasted seven home runs en route to a doubleheader split with Central Oklahoma Tuesday afternoon at Simmons Field.
 
The RiverHawks moved their record to 19-16 overall and 19-16 in the MIAA, while the Bronchos are now 19-16 overall and 15-15 in the league.
 
Seniors Kegan Knight and Jordan Dallalio joined junior Cody Robinson with two home runs each. Knight hit both of his in the first game, Robinson had two in the second game, and Dallalio hit one in both games. Senior Chad Davidson also recorded his first-career grand slam.

Robinson leads the MIAA with 14 home runs this season and is second with 44 runs batted in.
 
NSU 12, UCO 5 (box score)
Knight hit a two-run shot in the top of the first and Northeastern State never trailed in the series opener. The victory gave the RiverHawks three-straight against the Bronchos this season.
 
Sophomore Kyle Shambaugh threw a complete-game five hitter to improve to 2-1 on the year. He struck out 10 batters and walked just four, while allowing five runs on five hits.
 
All of NSU's top eight batters recorded at least one hit and scored at least one run. Knight was 4-for-4 with four runs batted in, three runs scored and two home runs. Davidson only had one hit, but he used it to drive home four members of his team in the fifth inning.
 
Edgar Lopez (4-3) was saddled with the loss for UCO after allowing nine runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings. He struck out six and walked one. Joe Hollowell tossed the final 1.2 frames and gave up three runs on three hits.
 
Two of Central Oklahoma's five hits came off the bat of Cesar Wong, both of which were solo home runs.
 
UCO 7, NSU 6 (box score)
The RiverHawks took a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but a three-run rally allowed the Bronchos to escape with the split.
 
Central Oklahoma led 4-2 after five innings, but the RiverHawks scored solo runs in each of the final four frames to find its 6-4 advantage. Cesar Wong hit the game-winning, two-RBI double for the Bronchos with two outs.
 
Wong was the only member of the home side to record multiple hits, as he finished with two. UCO outhit NSU 9-7.
 
Robinson hit solo home runs in the sixth and eighth innings. He finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Dallalio hit a solo shot in the top of the ninth and drove home two. Knight had his 12-game hit streak come to an end.
 
The RiverHawks used a staff day on the mound, with freshman Andrew Walker earning the start. He exited after two innings following a three-hit, three-run effort. Four other pitchers were used over the course of the next three frames.
 
Senior Trevor Walch (2-3) tossed the final 3.2 innings, and he allowed three runs on four hits. From the sixth through eighth innings, Walch struck out seven (five in a row at one point) and only gave up one hit.
 
Northeastern State will now return home for a three-game weekend set with Fort Hays State. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 13.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH TRAVIS JANSSEN
On his overall thoughts…
“I think what we proved today is how difficult it is to beat a good team four times. We beat them three times in a row and were in seemingly decent shape in the ninth inning with a two-run lead. Comebacks like that happen in baseball. That's part of it. Sometimes you win games in great fashion, and sometimes things don't go your way. I don't think I would change our approach. I knew going in that it was going to be a big deal when we had to go to Trevor (Walch) in the sixth, but I thought it was important to keep the game right where it was. Trevor did great, and a lot of guys played well today.”
 
On some of the key performers…
“We've been a good offensive team most of the year. I think that trend will continue. But more than just swinging the bats, I thought it was a big deal that Brandon Compton, Wilson Klutts and all the guys we threw early in the second game contributed. We wanted to get them all some work early in the game, and they did a good job. Kyle Shambaugh pitched wonderful the first game. That was huge for us. We'll bounce back from the tough loss in the second game. This team is resilient.”
 
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