Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Northeastern State baseball team split a pair of games with Pittsburg State Friday night at Al Ortolani Field.
 
The Gorillas (6-12, 5-9 MIAA) used a strong pitching performance to capture the series opener, while the RiverHawks (9-11, 6-8 MIAA) plated double-digit runs and exploded for 16 hits to win the nightcap.
 
Pittsburg State 4, Northeastern State 0 (box score)
The home side plated three runs in the first inning and used a strong effort from starting pitcher Tyler Thompson to secure the series-opening victory over the RiverHawks.
 
NSU was outhit 7-3 and was shutout for the first time since March 20, 2012, as the Gorillas earned the 4-0 victory. Thompson (2-3) struck out 10 and did not concede a walk as he tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout.
 
Cody Ball, Evan Thomas and Luke Bordewick led the Gorillas with identical 2-for-3 efforts at the plate. Ball did most of the damage with two runs batted in and two runs scored.
 
NSU's three hits were from seniors David Weber, Ryan Staggs and junior Justin Burgess. Sophomore Clay Debban (0-1) took the bump and lasted 3.0 innings. He allowed four runs on six hits, while striking out two and walking three. Freshman Bobby Sehgal (2.0 innings, one hit) and senior Addison Williams (1.0 inning, no hits) did not allow another run in the final 3.0 frames.
 
Northeastern State 10, Pittsburg State 4 (box score)
NSU's bats woke up when the lights came on Friday night, as the Gorillas posted an identical four-spot on the scoreboard, but the RiverHawks were able to respond with 10 runs. This marked the third time in the last five games that NSU had reached double-digit run totals.
 
Northeastern State started off with three runs in the first and continued adding extra markers in each of the first four frames before settling for a 9-4 advantage after four frames.

The two teams will complete the four-game set with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. March 15.
 
The two teams went quiet for the next four innings until the RiverHawks added another insurance run in the top of the ninth.
 
Junior catcher Tyler Wilkins paced NSU with a 4-for-4 effort at the plate. Staggs was 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, and four other members of the squad had multiple hits.
 
NSU out-hit PSU 16-7, and Ball (3-for-5) was the only Gorilla with multiple hits.
 
Junior Hayden Walch started on the mound for NSU and took a no-decision after allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits in 3.0 innings. True freshman Ryan Helsley (1-2) came on in relief and tossed the final 6.0 frames. He only allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out a career-high eight batters.
 
George Brandecker (0-4) and James Fitzgearlds threw the first 2.2 innings for Pittsburg State, and they combined to allow eight runs on 11 hits. Matt Standlee threw the final 6.1 innings and conceded just two runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked five.

The two teams will complete the four-game series with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. March 15.
 
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