ARKADELPHIA, Ark ---- A walk-off three-run home run in the eighth inning was the difference as the RiverHawks dropped the opener of the Alby Early Memorial Classic 7-4 to Maryville. NSU fell in the nightcap 6-1 to Arkansas-Monticello here Saturday.

In the opener, extra innings were needed to decide the outcome.  Maryville opened with two runs in the first inning.  Northeastern State quickly answered in the second. Cameron Conrad reached on an error and stole second.  Alyssa Crick's RBI double and a Kyla Ibarra single tied the game at 2-2.

After two scoreless innings, Maryville plated a run in the fifth for a 3-2 lead.

The took its first lead of the game in the sixth inning.  Conrad led off with a walk, and back to back singles from Alyssa Crick and Ibarra tied the game at 3-3.  Madison Boyd's single to center field gave NSU a 4-3 advantage.

The RiverHawks would carry the lead in the seventh inning but could not hold on.  Surrendering a single and double that tied the score at 4-4 in the seventh and giving up the three-run blast that gave Maryville the 7-4 victory.

Gail Young took the loss in the circle for the RiverHawks falling to 4-2 on the year.

In the nightcap, the RiverHawks committed two first-inning errors that led to two runs as Arkansas-Monticello captured a 6-1 victory.

Addie Elbon was 2-3 at the plate and drove in the lone NSU run.  Sydney Balderrama pitched three innings in picking up the loss.  Alex Azua went the final three innings, not allowing a hit and struck out three.

NSU will continue play on Sunday, taking on Ouachita Baptist at 12:30 pm, and then take on #2 ranked Southern Arkansas at 3:00.