ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Northeastern State softball team opened up its 2016 campaign with a pair of one-run victories on the first day of the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational.
 
Playing at Dee White Field on the campus of Henderson State University, NSU began the day with a 5-4 triumph over Harding. The RiverHawks then moved across the street to Sully Anderson Field on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University and defeated Arkansas-Monticello by a 2-1 margin.
 
True freshmen Kyla Ibarra and Kelsey Harmon led the way on the day with a combined seven hits. Senior Megan Ewton, sophomore Jessica Boone and true freshman Jordan Woosley all had a pair of hits.
 
NSU will return to action with a pair of contests Feb. 7. The green and white will play a return match against Arkansas-Monticello at 11 a.m. before meeting host Ouachita Baptist at 1 p.m.

NORTHEASTERN STATE 5, HARDING 4
Harding took a 1-0 lead after the first frame, but the RiverHawks scored the next four runs en route to a 5-4 victory. The Bisons plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh and had runners at the corners with two outs, but NSU got Alexus Lawellin to groundout to first base and end the rally.
 
After HU opened the scoring, junior Ryan Martin tied the game in the top of the second with an RBI single to plate sophomore Paige Gann. Boone opened the third with a leadoff triple and then scored on an RBI by junior Madison Boyd. Boyd later scored an unearned run on an infield single by Woosley.
 
Harmon opened the fourth inning with a double, and she would later on an error from Ibarra. NSU added a crucial fifth run in the top of the seventh when Boone drew a bases loaded walk to plate Ewton.
 
Senior Kayce Wooldridge (1-0) threw all 7.0 innings and allowed four runs (one earned) on eight hits. She struck out five and walked two.
 
The RiverHawks outhit the Bisons 11-8, but NSU committed more errors (3-1).
 
Ashley Smith (1-1) took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits in 3.1 innings pitched. Kimmy Hendricks had two hits and was the only Harding player with multiple hits.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE 2, ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO 1
The RiverHawks had just four hits in the second game of the day, but they were enough to give the green and white the 2-1 victory. For the second time in as many games, NSU fell behind 1-0 after a first inning Holly Wilmarth home run.
 
Martin tied the contest in the top of the third when she scored on a sacrifice fly from Boone. Harmon walked to leadoff the sixth, and she scored the game-winning run on an Ibarra RBI single.
 
True freshman Taryn Gray (1-0) picked up the win in her first-career start after conceding just one run in the first inning. She gave up six hits and struck out two.
 
Elizabeth Delafield (0-1) went the distance and took the loss after allowing two runs on four hits. She walked five and did not record a strikeout.
 
UAM outhit NSU 6-4, and all six hits were scattered across six different Cotton Blossoms.
 
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