BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Northeastern State softball team suffered a pair of one-run losses to Southwest Baptist Saturday afternoon at SBU Softball Field.
 
Despite the two losses, the RiverHawks (26-19, 11-9 MIAA) still remained in fifth place in the league with six games left in the regular season. The Bearcats improved to 17-29 overall and 9-13 in the conference.
 
Three of NSU's five runs on the day were scored by way of the long ball. The RiverHawks received three solo home runs from sophomore Paige Gann, redshirt freshman Haley Acrey and true freshman Kyla Ibarra.
 
Northeastern State remains on the road for the final two non-conference games of the season. The RiverHawks are now set to take on Rogers State beginning at 5 p.m. April 12 in Claremore, Oklahoma.
 
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST 3, NORTHEASTERN STATE 2
SBU took a 3-0 lead after three innings of play and was able to hang on for the win despite begin outhit 7-4.
 
Junior Madison Boyd and Ibarra had two hits each. Gann and Ibarra both hit solo home runs in the contest. Gann has now recorded nine home runs in her last nine MIAA doubleheaders.
 
Senior Kayce Wooldridge (19-7) took the loss after throwing a complete game. She gave up three runs on four hits, while striking out two and issuing no walks.
 
Kacey Ayers (11-14) conceded two runs on seven hits, while striking out four and walking one. Catlin Evans had two of SBU's four hits, including a home run. She finished with two RBI and two runs scored.
 
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST 4, NORTHEASTERN STATE 3
The Bearcats popped four up on the board in the bottom of the third and were able to again hang on to the lead for the sweep.
 
Senior Megan Ewton and Acrey led NSU with two hits each. Acrey recorded her sixth home run of the season.
 
True freshman Taryn Gray (5-7) threw a complete game and was saddled with the loss after allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits. She struck out three and did not allow a walk for the first time since Feb. 28.
 
Hunter Middleton (6-13) went the distance for SBU and gave up three runs on eight hits, while striking out three and issuing one free pass.
 
No member of the home team finished with multiple hits, but Dana Graves was able to hit a home run and drive in two runs. Yezzania Gonzalez also hit a solo homer.

-GoRiverHawksGo.com-