ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Northeastern State salvaged a 5-2 win in the back half of the doubleheader and prevented a series sweep on Sunday afternoon at No. 25 Lindenwood.

In the opener, the RiverHawks (7-5, 1-2 MIAA) rallied from behind with three runs in the seventh and two in the eighth to lead 7-4.   Lindenwood (8-4, 2-1 MIAA) responded back in the home half of the eighth with the bases loaded and one out.  A two run single to right center pulled the Lions within a run and a sac fly tied the game at 7-7.

Northeastern State went down in order in the ninth and the Lions opened the bottom frame with a hit-by-pitch.  Following a fielder's choice, Lindenwood hit three straight singles to get the winning run in.

The Lions out-hit the RiverHawks 10-to-7, with NSU batters drawing eight walks while striking out 12 times at the plate.  Erick Espinosa went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and Dylan Adams was 2-for-4.

In the nightcap, Northeastern State plated a run in the second and third innings and never trailed the Lions.  A fielding error by the Lions in the fifth resulted in a pair of insurance runs coming in for the RiverHawks to lead 4-0.  Lindenwood cut in the NSU advantage in half scoring a run in the sixth on a sac fly and a ground out an inning later.

Northeastern State added their final run in the ninth on a wild pitch that scored Espinosa in from third.

Lane Rice (1-0) was the pitcher of record after coming in during the fifth inning for starter Nolan Sturgeon who went 4 1/3 for the RiverHawks.  Jonathan Smithey finished the game with 2 1/3 innings tossed to get his first career save.

The RiverHawks more than doubled the Lions total with 11 hits; both Adams and Espinosa had three hit games.

Northeastern State will return to the field on Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader at Southeastern Oklahoma on Feb. 27 starting at noon.