OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Northeastern State softball team saw its season come to a close after losing twice on the first day of the 2016 MIAA Softball Championship at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
 
The fifth-seeded RiverHawks (32-23) first suffered a 2-1 defeat against No. 4 seed Pittsburg State (37-18) before falling 3-1 to No. 8 seed Southwest Baptist (23-34) in an elimination game.
 
NSU ended its season with the second-most wins in a single season in school history.
 
PITTSBURG STATE 2, NORTHEASTERN STATE 1
The RiverHawks took a lead after the third inning but the Gorillas scored two unearned runs in the fourth to take the lead for good.
 
NSU was able to muster three hits on the day, with one each coming from junior Madison Boyd, sophomore Jessica Boone and true freshman Jordan Woosley.
 
Kylie Guthier tallied two of PSU's five hits.
 
The contest was a battle of the two All-MIAA First Team pitchers, and the results did not disappoint as all three runs scored were unearned.
 
Senior Kayce Wooldridge conceded two unearned runs on five hits in 6.0 innings. She struck out three and walked one.
 
Emmie Robertson (21-9) gave up one run on three hits in 7.0 innings, while striking out eight and walking six.
 
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST 3, NORTHEASTERN STATE 1
NSU scored once in the first inning and then loaded the bases with no outs. The RiverHawks failed to capitalize on the early opportunity and were never able to advance a runner home the rest of the game.
 
Northeastern State outhit SBU 7-6 and received two from Boone.
 
Rachel Ray and Kaley Hansen were both 2-for-3 for lead the Bearcats. Hansen drove in two runs and Ray scored twice.
 
Wooldridge (21-11) gave up three unearned runs on six hits in 6.0 innings. She struck out three and did not concede a walk.
 
Hunter Middleton (9-16) earned the win after allowing one run on five hits in 5.1 frames. Kacey Ayers earned her fourth save of the year after throwing the final 1.2 innings.

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