MARYVILLE, Mo. – A lack of hits and errors came back to bite the RiverHawks in a pair of losses at Northwest Missouri State on Saturday afternoon. Northeastern State (10-9, 2-6 MIAA) had four errors in the first three innings of the opener to fall 4-1 and then later dropped the nightcap 3-1 to the Bearcats (10-8, 7-1 MIAA). 
 
The RiverHawks have had a tough start to MIAA play with their first three series being on the road.  A surplus of rain and an unplayable field last weekend forced NSU's home series with Missouri Southern was played as an away contest for the RiverHawks. 
 
Through 19 games played this season, the RiverHawks have played four at home, where they are undefeated; half of NSU's contests this season have come against ranked or teams receiving votes in a national poll.
 
Three unearned runs crossed home plate in the first three frames of the opener for the Bearcats. Northwest Missouri's lone earned run came in the second off a two-out double to left.
 
Northeastern State scratched their only run of the game in the fifth off the bat of Jaxon Phipps who singled to left to make the score 4-1.   
 
Dustin Berrong (3-3) was the pitcher of record in the tough loss with five strikeouts in five innings tossed.
 
In the second game, a two out, two RBI single to center broke a 1-1 stalemate in favor of the Bearcats in the eighth inning.  Northeastern State starter Ben Strahm (2-2) struck out eight batters in 7 2/3 innings.
 
Phipps scored NSU's only run in the third on a double to left field; Zack Henderson had two of the RiverHawks' five hits.
 
Northeastern State will wrap up the series on Saturday with a 12 p.m. first pitch scheduled.