TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State softball team closed out the regular season with a doubleheader split against Missouri Southern State Saturday afternoon at RiverHawks Park.
 
The Lions (23-32, 10-16 MIAA) won the first game 5-2 before the RiverHawks (32-21, 15-11 MIAA) came from six runs down in the second game to earn a 7-6 victory.
 
NSU clinched the No. 5 seed in the 2016 MIAA Championship, and the RiverHawks will now compete April 28-30 at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Northeastern State will meet No. 4 seed Pittsburg State in the first round at 5 p.m. April 28 on Field 2. NSU will play later that evening regardless of result in the first game.
 
The Lions were eliminated from postseason contention.
 
Northeastern State honored its graduating seniors between games Saturday. Those were: Megan Ewton, Delaney Gray, Kayce Wooldridge, and student assistant/former player Alex Files.
 
MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE 5, NORTHEASTERN STATE 2
Northeastern State loaded the bases in three of the first five innings but could only muster one hit and no runs through the game's first six frames. The Lions plated four runs in the third inning and held on for the 5-2 triumph. Sarah Williams capped the third with a three-run homer to straightaway center.
 
NSU pushed out three hits in the seventh to finish with four for the day. The two runs were scored by Ewton and redshirt freshman Haley Acrey.
 
Williams finished with three RBI, and Alana Hester, Abi Corbett and Sydney Fry all had two hits for Missouri Southern State.
 
Wooldridge (21-9) suffered the loss after allowing five runs (one earned) on nine hits in seven innings. She only struck out one but did not issue a walk.
 
Ashley Lutz (14-15) earned the win after nearly throwing a complete game shutout. She conceded two runs on four hits, while walking nine and striking out five.
 
Overall, the Lions outhit NSU 9-4 and the RiverHawks left 12 on base.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE 7, MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE 6
NSU barely had time to blink before falling into a 6-0 hole. The RiverHawks spotted the visitors a hefty lead with just one out in the top of the first, but they blanked MSSU for the remaining 6.2 innings and were able to grind out a comeback victory.
 
Northeastern State pushed a run across in the second when true freshman Kelsey Harmon hit an RBI single to plate sophomore Bailey Applegate. The home team added two more runs in the third on a home run from Acrey that also brought around Ewton.
 
NSU took control of the game with a four-run fourth and never looked back. The go-ahead hit came off the bat of sophomore Paige Gann, who hit a bases-loaded single down the right field line that scored junior Madison Boyd and sophomore Jessica Boone. Ewton also scored on the play thanks to a throwing error, which proved to be the game-winning tally.
 
Ewton finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, while Gann, Acrey and junior Ryan Martin all had two hits.
 
Hester finished 3-for-4 to lead the Lions, and Stewart added two hits of her own. Lutz (14-16) came on as a relief pitcher and was saddled with the loss after conceding four runs on three hits in 2.0 innings. Taurean Guzman started in the circle and took a no-decision after giving up three runs on six hits.
 
Senior Delaney Gray (2-4) picked up the victory in the circle after allowing six runs on seven hits in 4.2 frames. She walked four and did not post a strikeout. Wooldridge entered the game in relief and earned her third save of the season by not allowing a run in the final 2.1 innings. She finished the regular season as the MIAA's leader in wins (21), ERA (1.37), innings pitched (209.0) and complete games (27). She was also second in opponent batting average (.225) and saves (3), third in strikeouts (149) and fourth in shutouts (6).

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