JOPLIN, Mo. – The Northeastern State baseball team lost a close 6-5 decision to No. 20 Missouri Southern State in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon at Turner Field.
 
The RiverHawks (5-3) dropped to 0-3 on the road this year but nearly pulled the upset on the undefeated Lions (5-0).
 
MSSU starting pitcher and All-American Cody Hutchinson (2-0) earned the win, but he was tagged for a career-high five runs in just 6.0 innings. He conceded six hits and issued a career-high six walks, while striking out just five.
 
The home team jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first inning and both sides posted four runs in the second. The Lions were blanked the rest of the way, and the only run scored in the final seven frames was a lone tally by NSU in the fifth.
 
The RiverHawks outhit Missouri Southern State 7-6, and those seven hits were scattered throughout the order. Senior Eric Kirkpatrick was 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored.
 
Chris Hoffman was 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run, while Richie Gorski was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. The rest of the home lineup went a combined 1-for-20 against NSU's pitching.
 
Junior starter Kyle Emmons (1-1) lasted 1.1 innings and gave up six runs on four hits. Juniors Zack Hammock and Thomas Murray combined for a near-perfect 6.2 innings in relief. They gave up one hit each and neither player issued a run. They stifled the high-powered Lion offense and also combined for seven strikeouts to just one walk.
 
Northeastern State will break for a week before returning to action on the road against Rogers State. The RiverHawks and Hillcats will meet at 1 p.m. Feb. 23 in Claremore, Oklahoma.

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