ALVA, Okla. – The Northeastern State baseball team earned a 5-1 victory over West Texas A&M Saturday afternoon on neutral grounds at Myers Stadium.
 
The RiverHawks (5-2) responded well after dropping their first two games of the season the day prior, while the Buffalos fell to 3-2.
 
NSU was led on the day by seniors Charles Sims and Eric Kirkpatrick. Sims was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, while Kirkpatrick was 2-for-4 with four RBI, one home run and one run scored.
 
On the mound, true freshman Zach Parish and junior Thomas Murray combined for a two-hitter in the nine-inning contest. Parish tossed a stellar 6.2 frames, conceding just one run on two hits. He struck out eight and walked three. Murray threw the final 2.1 innings and did not allow a hit. He struck out three and walked one to earn his third save of the season.
 
The scoring began in the top of the third, when Kirkpatrick hit a two-out three-run homer. Also scoring on the play was Sims and junior Bryce Davenport.
 
Northeastern State added a fourth in the fifth inning when Kirkpatrick again drove in Sims.
 
Both teams exchanged runs in the seventh, and the RiverHawks cruised to victory from there.
 
NSU returns to action with a midweek non-conference road game against MIAA foe Missouri Southern State. The RiverHawks and Lions will meet at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 in Joplin, Missouri.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH JAKE HENDRICK
Opening Statement…
"The truth is that this weekend was a great early season test for us. Early in the year every team is looking to find their identity, and the thing that is impressive early is the composure and fight that this group is showing. We lost two tough games yesterday, but that's college baseball. Both games could have gone either way. Then to respond and beat a quality team like West Texas A&M, who played in an NCAA Regional last year and was picked to win their conference this year, that was definitely a gut check for us."
 
On the pitching staff…
"We were very efficient on the mound. We were constantly attacking and I think that is evident in the scores. I was very proud of the way (Zach) Parish pitched today. To take a no-hitter into the seventh shows how sharp he was.  Also, some credit needs to go to his battery mate and the outstanding job that Eric (Kirkpatrick) has done calling games for these pitchers early in the year."
 
On the offense…
"Every time we step in the box it is going to be a battle. We understand that failure is a part of the game, but we are going to try our best to make ourselves very difficult to get out. Of the 25 innings played this weekend, I would say we did that for 22 of them. That's a positive and it's something that takes a hard-nosed, tough approach to accomplish. It isn't easy knowing in reality that you are going to fail more than you succeed at the plate. But it's all about selling out for your teammates to being the toughest out you can be. It's a long season, but with that said, I am proud of the way we are going about our business right now."

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