TAHLEQUAH, OKLA---- Northeastern State's Jaxon Phipps grand slam in the fourth inning and Tristan Ridenour's three run blast in the fifth powered the RiverHawks to a series clinching 10-7 victory over #9 Central Missouri  on senior day at Rousey Field here Sunday.

The victory vaults the RiverHawks in the MIAA Conference Tournament as the 8^th seed and will take on Central Oklahoma at 4:00 pm on Thursday May 10^th at James R. Crane Stadium in Warrensburg, Mo.

Phipps finished the day 3-5 at the plate and was a single shy of hitting for the cycle.  His eighth run of the season, a grand slam in the second inning gave the RiverHawks a 4-0 lead after two innings.

Central Missouri answered right back in the third inning, pounding out six hits and plating five runs off RiverHawks starter Brayden Boyd to retake the lead at 5-4 after three innings.

A Blake Vandegrift single, Phipps double, and Zack Henderson walk loaded the bases to open the NSU fifth inning.  Michael Rhea sacrifice fly tied the game at 5-5, Oscar Resendez Jr. pushed the RiverHawks in front with a single and Ridenour cleared the bases with his team high 12^th home run of the year, a three run blast to extend the lead to 9-5 after five innings.

The Mules inched closer in the sixth inning cutting the NSU lead to 9-7, but the RiverHawks answered back with a run of its own as Phipps scored on a Rhea double to lead 10-7.

Trevor Nance came on in relief in the fourth inning and pitched 2.2 innings, allowing two runs on two hits to get credit for the victory.  Lane Rice went the final 3.1 innings striking out five to get the save.

The RiverHawks finish the regular season with a 27-22 record and 18-18 in conference.

For all postseason details and schedules, go to www.goriverhawksgo.com for all game times and ticket info.