TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State baseball team opened up its final weekend series of the regular season with a 5-4 victory over Missouri Southern State Friday afternoon at Rousey Field.
 
The RiverHawks (26-20, 20-16) moved a half-game behind the Lions (31-17, 21-16 MIAA) for fifth place in the MIAA. NSU has already clinched a spot in the conference tournament and is now jockeying for playoff positioning.
 
Friday's low-scoring affair began with a pair of scoreless innings. The first tally of the day came in the bottom of the third when senior Shane Bridges was driven in by a double down the right field line by junior Dakota Woods. Bridges reached base on a two-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
 
MSSU tied the game in the top of the fifth on a Chris Hoffman RBI single, but a two-RBI single from senior Eric Kirkpatrick in the bottom of the frame helped Northeastern State regain the advantage.
 
The Lions quickly responded with a two-run sixth to tie the game back up at 3-3. A Jackson Cain RBI groundout plated Richie Gorski, and an RBI single from Jacob Bryant drove in Matt Smith.
 
Missouri Southern State pulled ahead 4-3 in the top of the seventh when Tyler Sutherland used a leadoff walk to find his way home. He advanced to second on a single by Jesse Rall and moved ahead another base on a sacrifice bunt from Brett Graham. He later scored on a fielding error.
 
The RiverHawks quickly answered on a Bridges solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, and the Lions were sat down in order in the eighth.
 
Junior Bryce Davenport led off the home half of the eighth with a single and his pinch runner – junior Derek Shedden – was advanced to second on a sac bunt. MSSU made a pitching change that would prove costly, as the new pitcher hit back-to-back batters to load the bases and then walked home the game-winning run. Shedden was brought home when Woods drew an eight-pitch RBI walk with the bases juiced.
 
Missouri Southern State was able to get one runner on in the ninth, but he would not advance past first base as the RiverHawks were able to earn the win.
 
NSU outhit MSSU 9-8, and Woods and Kirkpatrick led with three each. They also both drove in two runs, and Woods scored once.
 
Bridges was 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI on his solo homer, and Davenport added two hits.
 
True freshman Zach Parish tossed the first five innings and picked up a no-decision. He allowed one run on five hits, while striking out six and walking three. He continues to lead the MIAA in K's, and he bumped his total to 100 on the year. He became the first pitcher in NSU's NCAA era to record triple-digit strikeouts in the same season.
 
Junior Zack Hammock (5-2) threw two innings of shutout relief and earned the win on the mound. Junior Tyler Yancey picked up his first save of the year after recording the final two outs.
 
Sutherland was the only member of the visiting team to finish with multiple hits. He was 2-for-4 with a run.
 
MSSU starter Payton Walker allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings. The four runs allowed were the second-most he has conceded this season. He entered the game leading the conference in ERA.
 
Austin Aspegren (1-2) suffered the loss after allowing the game-winning run to reach base. Conner Matson did not record an out but faced three batters. He hit two and walked one.
 
The second game of the series will be played at 2 p.m. May 7.
 
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