JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Northeastern State baseball team completed a series sweep over Lincoln with a 25-7 run-rule victory Monday afternoon at LU Baseball Field.
 
The RiverHawks (12-7, 6-3 MIAA) recorded their highest single-game run total since scoring 31 times against Tarleton State on Feb. 23, 2008. NSU also now has a 12-game win streak over the Blue Tigers (1-18, 0-9 MIAA).
 
The two teams tallied a combined seven runs in the first frame as the visitors held just a 4-3 advantage. The green and white then tacked on four more in the second and another two runs in the third to pull ahead by a 10-4 margin. After plating five in the fifth and two in the sixth, the RiverHawks erupted for eight runs in the seventh to wrap up the run-rule triumph.
 
Senior Cody Begovich was 2-for-5 with six runs batted in and three runs scored. He hit two home runs, a two-run shot in the first and a second-inning grand slam. Begovich has dominated the Blue Tigers in his career. He owns a .514 (19-for-37) batting average in 10 career games against Lincoln. He has also recorded 29 RBI, 23 runs scored, 11 home runs and three doubles.
 
Begovich is currently in the midst of the hottest stretch of his career over the course of the last four games. Since the series finale against Washburn last weekend, he is batting .500 (7-for-14) with seven home runs, 16 runs batted in and 11 runs scored.
 
Senior Gabriel Wurth led Northeastern State at the plate in Monday's contest, as he finished 4-for-6 with two RBI and three runs scored. Junior Dakota Woods was 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs scored and one homer. Redshirt freshman Zane Takhar went deep and finished 2-for-2 with three RBI and three runs scored.
 
Junior Bryce Davenport also hit a homer to help him finish 2-for-5 with a pair of runs driven in and three runs scored. Senior Shane Bridges had just one hit but managed to score four times after being hit by pitches three times. Junior Derek Shedden went 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs scored and a bases-loaded triple.
 
True freshman Zach Parish got the start on the mound and left with a no-decision. He allowed four runs (one earned) on three hits in 3.0 innings. He struck out five and walked just one. Fellow true freshman James Cowell (2-0) threw the next 1.2 innings to pick up the victory. He gave up three runs on two hits. Juniors Daniel Faulk and Thomas Murray tossed the final 2.1 frames. They combined to concede no runs and just one hit, while striking out five.
 
Lincoln finished with just six hits, with two each coming from Alex Ludwick and Kaleb Davis. Ludwick hit two homers and tallied four RBI and three runs scored.
 
Riley Crews (0-1) lasted just 1.0 inning on the mound for the home team. He gave up six runs on four hits. Cody Stegemann, Tyler Roberts and Kyler Lundgrin also saw time on the rubber.
 
NSU is now set to travel to Bolivar, Missouri, for a three-game set with Southwest Baptist. The RiverHawks and Bearcats are scheduled to meet March 17-19.
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-