TAHLEQUAH – An early nine-run lead was just enough for the RiverHawks to hold off Central Oklahoma 12-10 on Friday afternoon to prevent a series sweep. 

Northeastern State halted a six-game skid and are now 11-27 overall and 8-16 in the MIAA. 

Alex Massie homered for NSU and was 4-for-5 at the plate with a homer and needing a triple for the cycle.   Erick Espinosa had a three-RBI game and Alex Brough added two RBI for the RiverHawks. 

For the second game in a row NSU, chased Central's starter out in the second inning with the RiverHawks batting through the lineup.  Brough and Massie both hit RBI singles and NSU scored two more runs off a bases-loaded walk to go up 4-0 on Central.

The scoring continued for the RiverHawks in the third where they hung a five on the scoreboard after batting through the order for the second consecutive inning. 

In the third, Central Oklahoma (21-15, 14-10 MIAA) sent ten batters up to plate six runs on four hits to get back within three of the RiverHawks. 

After a double and walk to start the fourth, Brough hit an RBI single to left for a run, and Erick Espinosa hit a ground out RBI to get NSU back ahead 11-6. 

Central closed the gap on the RiverHawks in the seventh with a three-run homer and added one more in the eighth to make it an 11-10 ballgame. 

Zack Henderson led the ninth off with a double and Massie collected his third RBI of the game with a single up the middle for an insurance run.  

The Bronchos would end up getting the tying run up the plate with a runner on third before Trevor Nance closed the game out with a line ball out to first for his third save of the season.  

Northeastern State used six pitchers with Bryce Hestand (2-0) getting the win on 2 1/3 innings of relief.  James Cowell started the game and went three innings with four strikeouts. 

Northeastern State will return to action on Tuesday for a non-conference game against Oklahoma Baptist.