EDMOND, Okla. – The Northeastern State softball team collected a crucial road MIAA split with Central Oklahoma Friday afternoon at the Broncho Softball Field.
 
The RiverHawks (23-16, 9-7 MIAA) captured the first game 4-3 before the Bronchos (25-11, 10-4 MIAA) secured the second game 11-1 in five innings.
 
The win in the opener was No. 100 at NSU for head coach Clay Davis. He has now amassed an even 100-100 record in his four years leading the RiverHawks.  
 
The victory over the Bronchos snapped a 12-game losing streak to UCO dating back to 2011 and also served as a victory over a Central Oklahoma squad that has been ranked as high as No. 12 in the country this season. Central Oklahoma had also won its last 11 home games and is 13-2 in Edmond this season.
 
The two teams will now move their series to Tahlequah for the final two games. They will meet beginning at 2 p.m. April 2 at RiverHawks Park in games that will not count towards MIAA standings.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE 4, CENTRAL OKLAHOMA 3
NSU fell behind early but used a pair of late home runs to rally back and earn the win in the opener. Central Oklahoma plated two runs in the top of the first and looked to be on its way to victory. The home side also added a third insurance tally in the fifth, while the RiverHawks left five runners on base in the first five innings.
 
The rally came in the sixth frame and was jumpstarted when senior Megan Ewton began the inning with a double. Sophomore Paige Gann hit a home run to cut UCO's lead down to 3-2 and force a pitching change. Northeastern State took advantage of the bullpen when true freshman Kelsey Harmon drew a two-out walk and junior Ryan Martin brought her home with a two-run homer.
 
Central Oklahoma was able to advance a runner to third base in the bottom of the sixth but failed to drive her home. UCO then went down in order in the bottom of the seventh as the green and white held on for the victory.
 
Gann went 2-for-3 in the game with two RBI and one run.
 
Senior Kayce Wooldridge (17-5) tossed a complete game in the circle and gave up three runs on seven hits to earn the victory. She struck out five and did not issue a walk.
 
Nicole Brady lasted 5.0 innings for UCO and took a no-decision after giving up two runs on five hits. Jessi Walker (10-6) suffered the loss when she conceded two runs on two hits in 2.0 frames on relief work. She walked three and only struck out one.
 
Morgan Heard and Carli Jones had two hits each to lead the home team. JoBi Heath went just 1-for-3 but drove home two runs.
 
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA 11, NORTHEASTERN STATE 1 (5 innings)
The Bronchos run-ruled the RiverHawks in the second game, but it was only good enough to salvage the split after NSU snapped UCO's win streak earlier in the day.
 
Central Oklahoma belted 14 hits and was led by Jones' 3-for-3 outing. She also drove home two and scored twice. UCO did not hit a home run but team managed three triples, one each by Jones, Tori Collet and Shelby Carel. Heard, Halley Randolph and Ashton Smith all finished with two hits. Heard, Collet and Randolph all scored twice, and Heath, Randolph and Carel all had two RBI.
 
Walker (11-6) threw a complete game and took the win after conceding one run on three hits. She struck out two and walked five.
 
Wooldridge (17-6) attempted to throw the second game but left after 2.0 innings. She gave up four runs (two earned) on five hits and was saddled with the loss. Junior Jennifer Wolf threw the final 2.0 frames and allowed seven runs on nine hits.
 
NSU's three hits were from Martin, sophomore Jessica Boone and true freshman Kyla Ibarra. True freshman Baylee Ratliff scored the lone run for Northeastern State.
 
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