Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Northeastern State softball team split a doubleheader against Lindenwood University at RiverHawks Park Monday afternoon.

The Lions (3-10, 1-3 MIAA) won the first game 3-1, and the RiverHawks (13-7, 3-1 MIAA) won the second game 3-1.

LWU 3, NSU 1 (box score)
Both teams remained scoreless until the home half of the third frame, when a single to left field from freshman Lauren Flanary plated freshman Tori Venable and put NSU on top. Venable reached base on a walk.

Lindenwood answered back in the top of the fourth inning and scored two runs to lead the RiverHawks 2-1. The Lions would secure their lead in the top of the sixth with an insurance run. The visitors would hold on for the series-opening victory.

Sophomore Kayce Wooldridge (6-3) tabbed the loss in the circle after throwing a complete game. She allowed five hits and three runs.

NSU 3, LWU 1 (box score)
The RiverHawks opened up early in the game to score two runs in the bottom of the second frame and lead LU 2-0. Scoring for NSU was junior Alyssa Aguilar on a bases loaded walk from Flanary. Senior Allyson Pogue plated fellow senior Madison Reed on a single to the shortstop.

The Lions scored their lone run in the top of the third frame.

Northeastern State plated an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure the victory. Senior Megan Robison scored on single from Reed. Robison reached base on a double to left center.

Reed led NSU with two hits and two RBI.

Senior Shelbie Wagnon (1-0) tabbed her first win of the season in the circle. She threw five frames, allowed two hits and one unearned run. Senior Kylee Cole earned her first save, as she pitched the final two innings.

"A lot of positives came out of this weekend. This is a pretty tough conference, so anytime you can go 3-1 in a weekend, you're happy about that," NSU coach Clay Davis said. "Today we played a tough and athletic Lindenwood team. Their pitcher in the first game did a great job of changing speeds, and we were late as far as trying to figure her out. We also had a couple mental mistakes and a physical mistake, which will cause you to lose 3-1."

"I was very proud of our team to bounce back in the second game and show a little bit of mental toughness for us. We got big pitching from the seniors. Shelbie Wagnon only gave up one unearned run in five innings. Kylee Cole then came in during a tough situation and threw strikeout after strikeout. We have a great change of pace between Shelbie and Kylee."     
The RiverHawks will host a non-conference doubleheader against Rogers State in a Tuesday at 2 p.m. at RiverHawks Park.

-GoRiverHawksGo.com-