TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State surrendered a six run lead but snapped a ten game skid on a Jordan Payne walk off single in the tenth inning on Tuesday afternoon to beat UA-Fort Smith 8-7.
 
The RiverHawks led 7-1 on the Lions after a four run fourth inning that was highlighted by a Chad Reibenspies two run homer to right field.
 
Despite the lead, UAFS clipped a run in the fifth, before scoring five runs in the final three frames.  NSU got the Lions to the final out in the ninth but a fielding error at second allowed for the tying run to cross home.
 
In the tenth, Fort Smith (28-18) got the go-ahead run on second but was left stranded.  Dylan Adams gave NSU the leadoff single in the bottom half of the frame and then Zane Takhar reached with one on a fielding error to put two on.  Payne followed up with a single that bounced off of the left field wall to score Adams in from second for the game winner.
 
The RiverHawks (20-24) outhit UAFS 15-to-13 with Adams going 3-for-4 with three runs scored.   On the pitching side, NSU threw nine with Dustin Berrong (4-4) coming in during the eighth to pick up the win in extras.
 
Tuesday's game was NSU final home contest where they went 15-8 overall at Thomas C. Rousey Field.
 
Northeastern State will wrap up the regular season with a three game series at Missouri Southern State starting on Friday.