TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State suffered a pair of setbacks to open a six game home stand Tuesday with nearby Rogers State taking 5-2 and 5-1 wins.
 
The losses were the first for NSU (26-23) at home in over a month where they are now 10-4 this season. Rogers State, losers of the five of their last six heading into Tuesday's meeting, goes to 30-15 overall.
 
The Hillcats struck first in the opener scoring a run on a single to right center and a fielder's choice in the opening frame.  Later in the third, RSU plated their third run on a RiverHawks fielding error.
 
Kaleigh Hinkle put Northeastern State on the scoreboard in the fifth with a leadoff homer to left field.    An inning later, NSU pulled within a run back of Rogers State scoring their second run on an errant throw.
 
Rogers State would get a pair in insurance runs in the seventh and extended their lead to 5-2 on a two-run homer to left.
 
The RiverHawks were limited to six hits in the loss with Kyla Ibarra having two; Gail Young (12-13) matched her career high in strikeouts with seven.
 
In the nightcap, the Hillcats scored a run in the first five innings, while the RiverHawks were limited to a lone run in the third off the bat of Paige Gann who had her 130th career RBI.
 
Hits were even at seven for both squads; Sydney Balderrama (13-7) struck out six RSU batters.
 
Northeastern State is set to return to MIAA play on Friday with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. against Pittsburg State.