TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State baseball team lost 10-8 to No. 13 Central Missouri Friday afternoon at Rousey Field.
 
The RiverHawks (21-18, 15-14 MIAA) battled to an 8-3 lead after seven innings, but the Mules (27-10, 25-5 MIAA) hit three home runs and plated seven runs total in the eighth inning to come back and win the series opener.
 
Sophomore Michael Rhea led NSU with a 3-for-5 effort. He scored three times and drove in a run. Seniors Eric Kirkpatrick, Charles Sims and Justin Burgess all posted two hits, and Kirkpatrick, Burgess and redshirt freshman Zane Takhar all finished with two RBI.
 
Junior Thomas Murray took a no-decision on the mound after giving up three runs on five hits in five innings. Junior Zack Hammock (4-2) was tagged with the loss after conceding six runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings of relief. Junior Zach Poehl tossed the final 1.1 innings and allowed one run on two hits.
 
Tayler Ross (1-0) earned the win for UCM after throwing 2.0 innings of relief. He gave up two unearned runs on four hits. Grant Gavin pitched the ninth to register his eighth save of the season.
 
Dylan Farrell and Bennett Oliver were both 3-for-5 and combined for five RBI and three runs. Matt Elliott, Derek Cornell and Cole Distler all finished with two hits. Elliott scored twice and Distler had two RBI. Farrell, Oliver, Distler and Jackson Schnurbusch all hit home runs.
 
The second game of the series will be played at 2 p.m. April 23.

-GoRiverHawksGo.com-