JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Northeastern State baseball team tallied a 23-9 run-rule triumph over Lincoln in the first of a best-of-3 series Saturday afternoon at LU Baseball Field.
 
The RiverHawks (10-7, 4-3 MIAA) poked above the .500 mark in league play, while the Blue Tigers (1-16, 0-7 MIAA) remained winless against conference foes this season.
 
Senior Cody Begovich had a big day at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with three home runs, six runs batted in and four runs scored. The total number of hits, homers and runs scored were all career highs, and he was one shy of his career-high for RBI in a single game. In his last two contests, Begovich is 5-for-7 with five homers and 10 RBI.
 
Senior Eric Kirkpatrick finished 3-for-6 with a pair of RBI and three runs scored. Four other RiverHawks drove in two runs, and eight batters scored at least twice. Senior Justin Burgess also hit a home run in the contest.
 
Junior Jeremy Mansur started on the mound and left with a no-decision after failing to make it to the minimum required 5.0 innings. He tossed 4.0 frames and allowed six runs on nine hits. Junior Kyle Emmons (2-1) threw the next 3.0 innings to pick up the victory. He gave up three runs on four hits.
 
Lincoln starter Cody Stegemann (0-5) was charged with the loss after only recording one out. He gave up six runs on three hits and could not make it out of the first frame. The Blue Tigers utilized five relievers in the outing.
 
Mike Million paced the home offense with a 4-for-5 effort. That mark included four RBI, three runs scored and one homer. Alex Ludwick was 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run.
 
The two teams will lock up again at 1 p.m. March 13. The second game of the series is scheduled to be played at South Callaway High School in Mokane, Missouri.
 
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