TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State's Oscar Resendez Jr.  and Alex Massie belted their third home runs of the year leading the RiverHawks to a 9-6 victory over Pittsburg State in MIAA conference action at Rousey Field here Tuesday.

NSU improves to 23-16 on the year and 14-12 in conference action.

Resendez Jr. proved to be a tough out early in the game.  He tripled and scored in the first inning and led off the fourth inning with a solo shot to left field to give the RiverHawks the 2-0 through four innings of play.

NSU took advantage of a defensive error and four walks by the Gorilla's starting pitcher to plate two runs and lead 4-0 after five inning.

RiverHawks starting pitcher Jonathan Smithey was chased in the sixth inning as the Gorilla's plated four runs in the frame to tie the game at 4-4. Smithey allowed six hits and three runs while striking out two. 

However the RiverHawks took advantage of Pittsburg State miscues and timely hitting in the sixth to recapture the lead.  A throwing error allowed two runs to score and Zach Henderson's single plated two more for an 8-4 advantage.

Alex Massie put the exclamation point on the victory in the eighth inning with a solo home run, his third of the year for a 9-4 RiverHawks lead.

The Gorilla's hammered back to back home runs in the eighth inning but was not enough as the RiverHawks captured the 9-6 victory.

Lane Rice allowed five hits, three runs and struck out four in 3.2 innings of relief to improve to 5-0 on the year.

Northeastern State has now won four straight and six of the last seven games heading into a weekend series against Nebraska-Kearney. Due to the chance of rain, the RiverHawks and Lopers will play a double header on Friday beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Check with www.goriverhawksgo.com for game times and schedule changes.