Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State softball team swept a doubleheader against Pittsburg State Friday afternoon at RiverHawks Park.

The RiverHawks (17-7, 5-1 MIAA) won the day's opening game 5-4 over the Gorillas (11-6, 0-2 MIAA) and claimed game two 3-2, giving Pitt State their first two losses in conference play.

NSU 5, PSU 4 (box score)
Scoring was scarce in the early going of the first game, as a single run from Pittsburg State in the third was the only time either team crossed home in the first four innings.

The top of the fifth frame saw the Gorillas score another run to improve their lead to 2-0 over the RiverHawks. That lead proved to be short lived, as NSU rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the fifth to claim a lead 4-2 over PSU. Senior Madison Reed scored the first run of the game for Northeastern State on a single to the shortstop by junior Alyssa Aguilar. Reed reached base on a walk. Senior Allyson Pogue, Aguilar, and freshman Madison Boyd all scored on a bases-loaded double to left center from senior Megan Robison.

The RiverHawks plated freshman pinch runner Randye Sharp in the bottom of the sixth frame to earn what proved to be a crucial insurance run. Sharp entered the game to pinch run for freshman Krysti Cearley who reached base on a walk.

The Gorillas managed to score two runs in the top of the seventh frame when Tiffany Brown hit a two-run home run to left field with two outs. NSU's defense held firm and prevailed over
PSU to pick up the 5-4 triumph.

Sophomore Kayce Wooldridge (8-3) threw a complete game and tabbed the win in the circle. She threw 121 pitches, while allowing 10 hits and four runs (three earned).

Robison led the RiverHawks with three runs batted in, and the Gorillas outhit NSU 10-4.

NSU 3, PSU 2 (box score)
The Gorillas scored the first run of the game to lead the RiverHawks 1-0 in the top of the second. Northeastern State equaled the score to 1-1 on a bases loaded walk to score Robison in the home half of the frame.

Both teams remained tied until NSU plated two runs on back-to-back doubles to center field in the bottom of the fifth frame. Boyd doubled to center field to score Reed. Reed reached base on a single down the right field line. Aguilar doubled to center field to switch places with Boyd and improve the NSU score to 3-1.

The Gorillas scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth frame, however the NSU defense held PSU to just one run and claim the 3-2 victory.

Flanary and Reed each had two hits for NSU.

Senior Shelbie Wagnon (2-0) threw for 5.1 frames and tabbed the win in the circle. She allowed only three hits and two runs, while striking out six and walking six. Senior Kylee Cole claimed her second save of the season after throwing the final 1.2 innings. She allowed no hits or runs.

"This was a really good sweep for us. Pitt State is a great program and they are coached really well. This was a crucial win for us to reach our goals for this season. I am very pleased with how we performed," NSU coach Clay Davis said. "Both teams have some good pitchers. Runs were hard to come by and I thought (Kayce) Wooldridge did a good job keeping them off balance. The defense behind her was also able to turn there double plays, and we were finally able to break through at the end.

"Shelbie Wagnon is still progressing and getting back in shape. See started to lose command of some of her pitches. Kylee Cole came in behind her in and got us out of a tough situation and helped us win the ball game. Tomorrow's matchup is Missouri Southern. Every time we face them it is a dog fight. We have to come in and match our enthusiasm and emotion. We have to come out and pitch the ball well in that doubleheader."

NSU will host Missouri Southern in a doubleheader to begin at 9:30 a.m. at RiverHawks Park.

-GoRiverHawksGo.com-