PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Northeastern State baseball team scored eight runs across the final three innings to come from behind and defeat Pittsburg State 9-6 Tuesday night at Al Ortolani Field.
 
The RiverHawks (15-12, 9-8 MIAA) trailed 6-1 after six frames but plated three runs in the seventh and five in the ninth (three with two outs) to pick up a league victory over the Gorillas (6-20, 1-16 MIAA).
 
This is the second-straight week NSU has come from five runs down late to defeat PSU. The RiverHawks trailed 12-7 and needed six runs in the final three innings to record the walkoff win in Tahlequah on March 22.
 
Northeastern State now leads the midweek series 2-0 and will play host to Pittsburg State in the series finale April 5.  
 
NSU outhit PSU 11-7 in Tuesday's win but committed six errors in the field.
 
Seniors Shane Bridges, Eric Kirkpatrick, Charles Sims and Justin Burgess all posted two hits. Kirkpatrick, Sims and redshirt freshman Zane Takhar all drove home two runs, and Bridges scored three times.
 
The green and white got on the board first when Bridges scored on an RBI double from junior Bryce Davenport in the top of the first. The Gorillas responded with two runs in the home half of the frame, and they led 4-1 after three complete with the help of an Andrew Vogelbaugh home run.
 
Jacob Boylan gave Pittsburg State a commanding 6-1 advantage with a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth, and neither team scored in the sixth.
 
The comeback began in the top of the seventh once PSU made a move to the bullpen. Burgess got on board with a one-out double, and Bridges reached safely after beating out a throw on a sacrifice bunt attempt. Junior Dakota Woods drove in Burgess with an RBI single, and Kirkpatrick belted a two-run double that got Northeastern State to within 6-4.
 
Bridges was awarded first base to lead off the ninth after being hit by a pitch. Kirkpatrick singled and Davenport was also hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out.
 
Senior Gabriel Wurth hit a sacrifice fly that pulled the RiverHawks to within one run but also moved Pittsburg State to within one out of victory. That brought senior Cody Begovich to the dish, and he was walked to again fill up the bags.
 
With nowhere to put Takhar, the Gorillas were forced to pitch to him. He took full advantage and sent a single up the middle that brought home a pair of pinch runners and gave Northeastern State a 7-6 lead. NSU added two insurance runs on a two-out, two-RBI triple from Sims, which was the first of his career.
 
Pittsburg State could not mount a comeback of its own as the home team went three-up, three-down in the last inning.
 
Junior Zack Hammock (2-1) threw 4.2 innings of relief and kept NSU within striking distance after falling behind early. He did not give up a hit or a run, while striking out four and walking just two. Junior Bobby Sehgal was called upon to register the final out of the game, and he responded with a strikeout to collect his third-career save and first this season.
 
True freshman James Cowell toed the rubber first and left after 4.0 innings. He allowed six runs on seven hits but took a no-decision.
 
George Brandecker threw the first 6.0 innings for Pittsburg State and allowed just one run on four hits, while striking out seven and walking three. Ty Rowe allowed three runs on four hits in one inning of relief duty, and Ryan McKay (1-2) gave up five runs on three hits across the final two frames to suffer the loss on the mound.
 
Brett Macary was the only member of the home side with multiple hits, and he finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Boylan posted two RBI and two runs scored.
 
Northeastern State is now set to venture to Fort Hays State for a three-game MIAA series April 1-3 in Hays, Kansas. The first game of the series will begin at 6 p.m.

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