TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State baseball team swept a doubleheader from Southeastern Oklahoma State Saturday afternoon at Rousey Field.
 
The RiverHawks (3-0) topped the Savage Storm (2-3) 8-3 in the first game and then came from behind to win the second game 5-4.
 
Junior Dakota Woods led the way for NSU at the plate, as he finished 5-for-6 on the day with one RBI and three runs scored. Junior Thomas Murray earned the save in both games. He did not concede a run, and he allowed just one hit in 2.2 total innings of work.
 
Northeastern State will remain at home for a 1 p.m. contest Feb. 9 against Rogers State.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE 8, SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE 3
Southeastern Oklahoma State jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the top of the third inning, but that would prove to be the only damage to the scoreboard the visitors would muster in the first game.
 
The RiverHawks powered back with a 5-spot in the home half of the frame, and they added three insurance runs across the fourth and fifth innings to claim the opener.
 
Woods and seniors Charles Sims, Eric Kirkpatrick and Justin Burgess all had two hits. Both teams finished with eight hits total. Kirkpatrick drove home two, while Woods and sophomore Michael Rhea both score twice.
 
Junior Tyler Yancey tossed the first 3.0 innings, and he allowed three unearned runs on four hits to pick up the no-decision. Junior Jeremy Mansur (1-0) earned the win after not conceding a run in 3.1 innings. He allowed four hits and three walks, while striking out one. Murray registered the final two outs for his first save of the day.
 
Savage Storm starter Kaleb Jameson (0-1) took the loss after conceding four runs (two earned) on just two hits in the first 2.0 innings. Nolan Fanning entered the game as a substitute and finished 3-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in. He replaced Corban Taylor, who was ejected in the second inning for arguing balls and strikes.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE 5, SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE 4
The Savage Storm jumped on top quickly in the second game when Dylan Helms sent the second pitch of the contest over the left-field fence. The visitors added two more runs in the top of the fourth and received a solo home run from Greg Husnander in the top of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. NSU's only response came in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single from redshirt freshman Zane Takhar.
 
That was until the RiverHawks exploded for four runs in the home half of the fifth that would prove to be the difference.
 
Woods began the rally with a leadoff single, and junior Bryce Davenport was hit by a pitch following a Sims strikeout. Kirkpatrick drew a walk to load the bases, and senior Cody Begovich tattooed a two-RBI double through the right side. Senior Shane Bridges tied the contest on an RBI infield single, and Takhar drove home the game-winning run on an RBI groundout.
 
True freshman Zach Parish threw the first 3.1 innings and gave up three runs on three hits. Junior Zack Hammock (1-0) came on in relief for 1.2 innings and was credited with the victory. He gave up one run on two hits in 1.2 innings. Murray threw the final two innings and gave up just one hit and no runs to earn his second save of the afternoon.
 
Woods finished 3-for-3, and Bridges and Takhar both posted two hits. Kirkpatrick scored twice.
 
Scott Richards started for the visitors and collected a no-decision after allowing three runs on six hits in 4.1 innings. Michael Brinska (0-1) took the loss after giving up two runs and two walks on just one hit. He failed to register an out.
 
Husnander and Connor Counce were the only members of the Savage Storm with multiple hits, and they both finished with a pair.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH JAKE HENDRICK
Statement…
"This was a really great couple of team wins. Anytime you have Coach (Mike) Metheny and Southeastern on the schedule, you know you're in for a battle. There were a lot of great individual performances today, but more than that I was so proud of our bench. They were the difference on the day. When you play a doubleheader, it usually comes down to which team can stay engaged for two games, and I felt like we were there to see both games through to the end. That is a great trait that I hope we can continue as the season progresses. We will look for ways to get better between now and our next outing against Rogers State."
 
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