TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State softball team fell twice to Oklahoma City Saturday afternoon at RiverHawks Park.
 
The RiverHawks (17-14) were unable to pick up a win over an undefeated OCU team that is ranked No. 6 in the nation at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics level. The Stars (29-0) won the first game 7-2 before capturing a 9-3 triumph in the nightcap.
 
NSU will remain home for a pair of weekend MIAA doubleheaders against Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney. The first DH between Northeastern State and FHSU will begin at 1 p.m. March 25.
 
OKLAHOMA CITY 7, NORTHEASTERN STATE 2
The Stars put two on the board in the top of the first and never looked back, adding two more in each of the fourth and sixth innings before tallying a seventh in the final frame.
 
NSU's lone response came in the fifth inning, when redshirt freshman Haley Acrey and true freshman Kyla Ibarra both found their way home.
 
They were both driven in by junior Madison Boyd and true freshman Kelsey Harmon. Sophomore Jessica Boone finished 2-for-3 in the game.
 
Junior Jennifer Wolf (1-1) tossed the first 4.1 innings in the circle and gave up four runs on five hits. She struck out four and walked three. Senior Delaney Gray threw the final 2.2 frames and gave up three runs (one earned) on two hits.
 
Leslie Miller (11-0) threw 6.1 innings for the visitors and conceded two runs on four hits. She struck out 12 and walked five.
 
Oklahoma City managed just seven hits, with two coming from Bailey Whitmore. Miller finished 1-for-1 with two RBI, two runs scored and one homer. Kali Pugh also hit a home run and scored twice.
 
OKLAHOMA CITY 9, NORTHEASTERN STATE 3
NSU was able to fend off the OCU offense in the first two innings thanks in large part to a pair of inning-ending double plays, but the Stars erupted for seven runs in the third frame to pull away for good.
 
Northeastern State had a brief 2-0 lead when junior Ryan Martin hit a two-run homer in the second inning. She finished 2-for-3 in the contest. The only other hit by NSU was from Boyd in the seventh inning.
 
True freshman Taryn Gray (4-6) lasted 3.0 innings and left after allowing seven runs on nine hits. Junior Mollie Carter threw the next 2.0 frames and allowed two runs on four hits. Gray pitched the last 2.0 innings and did not concede a run.
 
Abby Meador (12-0) struck out 12 RiverHawks in her 5.0 innings of work to earn the win. She gave up two runs on one hit, while also walking six. Georgia Wall threw 2.0 innings of relief and allowed just one unearned run.
 
Pugh finished 3-for-4 to lead OCU. Madison Ellis, Shelbi Legg, Samantha Stallbaumer and Jaci Smith all had two hits. Ellis also finished with three RBI and two runs scored.

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