TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State avoided a sweep with a five run ninth inning to beat Wayne State (Neb.), 10-9, in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Thomas C. Rousey Field.
The Wildcats took to front end game, 7-3, but the win snapped a five game skid for the RiverHawks to start the season.
In the opener, four errors plagued the RiverHawks as the Wildcats (2-1) plated six runs in the opening three frames. Northeastern State would see threats simmer with Wayne State turning double plays in the third and fourth innings.
None of the three runs for the RiverHawks came off a hit with their first run in the second inning coming on a balk.
Colton Burgess brought in NSU's second run in the sixth on an infield out.
Jaxon Phipps sent in the RiverHawks' third run in the final frame on a fielder's choice.
Northeastern State was limited to four hits with
Alex Brough going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Trevor Smith (0-2) went 2 1/3 innings with three strikeouts in his second start of the young season.
Jonathan Smithey tossed 3 2/3 innings of relief and four strikeouts.
In the nightcap, the Wildcats took control early with a five run opening frame. The Wildcats would get four of those runs off a grand slam that sailed into left field.
Trailing by six Northeastern State got a run in the bottom of the second on a
Tyler Davis sac fly. In the fourth, NSU plated three in fourth getting a run off a hit by pitch and two more on walks with the bases loaded.
Wayne State halted the NSU momentum in the following frame with a no-doubt homer to left center to extend their lead back out to three.
The Wildcats lengthened their lead to 8-4 in the seventh scoring on a solo home run before the RiverHawks plated a run back on a double-play ball.
In the ninth, WSC extended their lead back out four with a one out homer to left.
Back by four, NSU got their first run on an
Alex Massie blast to left center with one out. The next three NSU batters reached base before
Blake Freeman hit a RBI single to left to get team back within two run of the Wildcats.
Justin Murphey followed up with a RBI single to put the tying run at third and winning run at second.
Colton Burgess stepped up to the plate and banged in a walk off single up the middle on the first pitch to score two runs.
Burgess finished the game going 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBI.
Bryce Hestand (1-0) recorded the final three outs and was credited with the win for NSU.
Northeastern State will return to action on Tuesday for a non-conference contest at Northwestern Oklahoma in Alva for a 3 p.m. first pitch.
