TAHLEQUAH, OKLA---- Northeastern State's Erick Espinosa collected his eighth double of the year and picked up two RBI's as the RiverHawks fell 14-5 to #9 Central Missouri at Rousey Field here Friday.

NSU has now lost four in a row and fall to 25-22 and 16-18 in MIAA play.

The RiverHawks struggled at the plate against early allowing Central Missouri to build a 5-0 lead after two and a half innings of play.  NSU erased the goose egg on the scoreboard in the third inning.  Tristan Ridenour led off the frame with a single and Zane Takhar walked.  RBI singles from Connor Reynolds pushed the first two runs across and a sacrifice fly from Espinosa cut the UCM lead to 5-3 after three innings.

Espinosa's double in the fifth inning brought home Jaxon Phipps  to plate the other run for the RiverHawks but  the Mules would outscore NSU 9-1 over the final six innings to pick up the victory.

NSU starter Jonathan Smithey lasted only 3.1 innings gave up seven runs, seven hits while fanning four. 

Northeastern State will look to break back into the win column and stay in the hunt for a berth in the MIAA Conference Tournament with game two of the series on Saturday afternoon. Game time is set for 2:00 pm.