TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State rallied back from three runs but they would fall 7-4 to #14 Emporia State as they completed the three game sweep on Saturday.
 
The RiverHawks who entered the weekend with only two losses at home in 16 games, suffered their first home sweep of the season.
 
After trailing 3-0 through the first three innings, the RiverHawks had a big fourth with Blake Vandegrift picking up a two RBI double, later Zane Takhar tied the game on a ground ball out.   Derek Shedden gave the RiverHawks the lead with two-outs on a chopper up the middle.
 
NSU's lead was short-lived and the Hornets stung in the next frame with a sac fly RBI, and a two run homer go up 6-4.  Emporia State would add an insurance run in the seventh to extend their lead to three.
 
"We had some opportunities to make some plays but we just fell behind and obviously they (Emporia State) had the clutch home run," said NSU assistant coach Robbie Rea.
 
"We started pressing a little bit at the plate, especially yesterday with all those errors and it kind of snowballed...we'll keep our head up, keep working.  We have the potential to be a really good, really scary team down the homestretch."
 
Northeastern State did lead 9-to-8 in hits, with Dakota Woods going 2-for-4 at the plate; Butch Rea had a base hit to push his hitting streak to 20 games.  Zach Parish (4-3) went five innings with four strikeouts. 
 
The RiverHawks will be on the road at Central Oklahoma on Tuesday for a 3 p.m. first pitch in Edmond.