Box Score

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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State baseball team dropped an 8-5 decision to Central Missouri Friday afternoon at Rousey Field.
 
The Mules (8-6, 5-2 MIAA) gained a 2-1 lead in the series and shook off a five-run seventh inning from the RiverHawks (4-8, 1-6 MIAA).
 
Central Missouri jumped on top with five runs spread across the first two innings. Brad Wilson, the second batter of the game, stepped up and sent the first pitch he saw over the left field wall to put UCM on top 2-0 in the top of the first. Trevor Jones also scored on the homer after leading off the game with a well-fought eight-pitch walk.
 
Matt Molbury led off the second with a single, and Jones joined him on the bases by way of a fielder's choice. A two-out Wilson single plated Molbury, and both Jones and Wilson scored on a single through the left side from Tony Sandifer to put the Mules on top 5-0.
 
The RiverHawks mustered just two hits in the first six frames before finally finding their groove in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Senior outfielder Cody Robinson led off with a free base after getting hit by a pitch. Senior Ryan Staggs singled, but junior Tyler Wilkins flied out to center field and redshirt freshman Slater Dunn struck out looking for the first two outs of the inning.
 
A single from freshman Bryce Davenport plated both Robinson and Staggs, and he scored on a single from senior Kyle Singleton. Singleton then scored on a double from sophomore Cody Begovich, and Begovich tied the game on a single from senior David Weber.
 
The Mules regained the lead with two runs in the eighth and added an insurance run in the ninth to complete the scoring. Jones scored the game-winning run on a single from Sandifer.
 
UCM's first four hitters combined for 11 hits, seven runs batted in and six runs scored. Wilson led the way with a 4-for-5 effort at the plate, including three RBI, two runs scored and one homer. Sandifer was 3-for-4.
 
The Mules outhit the RiverHawks 16-7, and no member of the home team had more than one hit.
 
Ricky Rivera started the game on the bump for UCM and allowed three runs on four hits across 6.2 frames. He recorded a no-decision due to Zak Anstine allowing two runs on three hits in relief duty. Anstine was not able to record an out, and closer Zach Davis was called upon to finish out the game. Davis (2-0) struck out five and did not allow a hit in the final 2.1 innings to earn the win.
 
Junior Bryan McClellan only lasted 1.2 innings for NSU. He conceded five runs on six hits and was replaced by junior Hayden Walch. Walch settled the game down for his team and did not give up a run for the next 4.1 innings. Junior T.J. Foster (0-1) relieved Walch and made his first appearance in 12 days. He took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in 1.1 innings. The RiverHawks needed four more relievers to finish the game.
 
The two teams are scheduled to complete the series at noon March 1.
 
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