Game 1 Box Score  I  Game 2 Box Score

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader against Emporia State Saturday afternoon at Rousey Field.  
 
This marked the first time all season the RiverHawks (13-8, 8-7 MIAA) have been swept in a doubleheader. The Hornets used their two victories to improve to 14-6 overall and 8-6 in the MIAA.
 
ESU blasted five home runs on the day and have now belted seven round trippers against NSU in the series. Price Jacobs (2), Wade Hanna (2), Evan Koehler (2) and Dean Long have all went yard in the three-game set.
 
Junior Eric Kirkpatrick had three hits in the two games to lead Northeastern State at the plate.
 
The series finale between the two clubs will begin at 1 p.m. March 22 in Tahlequah.
 
EMPORIA STATE 3, NORTHEASTERN STATE 2
ESU used a trifecta of solo home runs to stifle a stellar pitching performance from sophomore Ryan Helsley in the opening game of the series.
 
Helsley fanned double-digit batters for the second time this season, and he improved his conference lead in strikeouts to 48 on the year. He threw the first 5.0 innings and gave up three solo homers on five hits. Two of those home runs were to Koehler in the second and fourth innings, respectively, while Long's HR in the sixth proved to be the game winner.
 
NSU opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when they plated one after loading the bases. Junior Shane Bridges touched home plate on an RBI fielder's choice by sophomore Bryce Davenport.
 
The RiverHawks' other run came in the fourth, when sophomore Caleb Hill doubled home Kirkpatrick.
 
Kirkpatrick finished 2-for-3 at the plate. Both teams finished with five hits each. Koehler was the lone Hornet to post multiple hits and both were homers.
 
Senior Hayden Walch threw the final 2.0 frames in relief of Helsley. He did not give up a hit and he struck out four. In total, Helsley and Walch combined to strike out 14 Hornets.
 
Travis Hendry started on the mound for Emporia State and took a no-decision when he gave up two runs on four hits in the first 3.2 frames. Shawn Talkington (3-2) threw the final 3.1 frames and picked up the win. He only gave up one hit, while fanning five.
 
EMPORIA STATE 10, NORTHEASTERN STATE 5
Emporia State got six on the RiverHawks in the first inning of the second game and never looked back. NSU had opportunities to get the contest back on even footing, but the Hornets did what they needed to keep the home team at bay.
 
NSU sophomore starter Bobby Sehgal (2-3) was pulled after recording just one out. He conceded six runs on five hits, while giving up two home runs in the first inning. Senior Waylon Davis allowed two runs on four hits over the next 2.1 frames, while sophomore Zack Hammock gave up one unearned run on two hits across the next 2.1 innings. Senior Clay Debban tossed the final two innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits.
 
Junior Charles Sims was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored to lead NSU.
 
Hanna finished 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored. Cody Bobbit and Justin Harris also went 2-for-4.
 
Garrett Bane (2-1) earned the victory after lasting 4.1 innings. He gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits. He did not register a strikeout and walked three. Shane Davies collected his first save of the year after finishing the game. He only gave up one hit in 2.2 innings, while striking out four and walking two.
 
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