TAHLEQUAH, Okla. ---- Zack Henderson belted his fourth home run of the year and drove in a career-high five RBI as the RiverHawks picked up a 17-11 victory over Southwest Baptist in MIAA action at Thomas C. Rousey Field here Friday.

Northeastern State has now strung together six straight victories, a feat that has not been done since the 2012 season.  NSU improves to 9-21 on the year and 6-10 in MIAA play.

The RiverHawks scored a season-high 17 runs on 15 hits off the Bearcats pitching staff.  Every player with an at-bat hit safely and seven different players had two hits each.  Henderson led the assault with his fourth home run and five RBI.  Colton Burgess had two hits, walked twice and drove in three. Colten Wright also collected three RBI with a single and two sacrifice flies.  

In what was a back and forth affair, Northeastern State jumped on Southwest Baptist early on.  The RiverHawks used five first-inning hits to plate five runs to 5-0 after one inning.

NSU added another run in the second to lead 6-0 after two innings.  The Bearcats matched RiverHawks with five runs in the third inning and one in the fourth to tie the game at 6-6 after four innings.

NSU answered with two runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and five in the seventh to take a commanding 14-6 lead after seven innings of play.  SBU rallied with five runs in the eighth inning cutting the NSU lead down to 14-11.  The RiverHawks answered with three runs in the eighth to capture the 17-11 victory.

Jonathan Smithey lasted 4.2 innings allowing six runs on nine hits and fanned five.  Trevor Smith got credit for victory going 1.1 innings of relief to improve to 2-4.  Trevor Nance closed out the final 1.2 innings in picking up his second save of the year.

Northeastern State and Southwest Baptist will return to Rousey Field on Saturday for game two of the series.  First pitch is set for 2:00 pm.  Follow www.goriverhawksgo.com for any schedule changes.