BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Northeastern State baseball team was able to avoid a weekend sweep by defeating Southwest Baptist 6-4 in the series finale Saturday afternoon at Dodson Field.
 
The RiverHawks (13-9, 7-5 MIAA) used a dominant effort on the mound and timely hitting to take down the Bearcats (11-11, 7-7 MIAA), who had shutout NSU in the first two games of the series.
 
True freshman Zach Parish (4-0) continued his torrid start to the season, as he fanned 12 batters in 6.1 innings to earn the win on the mound. He conceded four runs on six hits, and also issued four walks.
 
Junior Zach Poehl held the mound for 1.2 innings before making way to junior closer Thomas Murray, who tossed the ninth frame and did not give up a hit or run to earn his MIAA-leading sixth save of the season.
 
Senior Justin Burgess was 3-for-5 on the day and drove home two runs. Seniors Eric Kirkpatrick and Cody Begovich made their one hits count, as Kirkpatrick hit a bases-loaded double that drove home three runs and Begovich hit a solo home run. Each of Begovich's last eight hits have been homers.
 
Sean Murley and Chance Wolfe paced the Bearcats with two hits each. They also both recorded two RBI.
 
SBU starting pitcher Luke Lucas (0-1) lasted just 1.1 frames before being removed from the game. He allowed one run on one hit, but he also walked four RiverHawks. Jamie Whitehead threw the next 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on three hits. Brian Womack and Calvin Lovig also saw time on the mound.
 
Northeastern State is now scheduled to host Pittsburg State in a midweek MIAA game. The RiverHawks and Gorillas will compete at 2 p.m. March 22 at Rousey Field.

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