JOPLIN, Mo. ---- A bases loaded walk in the fourth inning proved to be the difference as Northeastern State fell 1-0 to Missouri Southern State in MIAA baseball action at Warren Turner Field here Thursday.

The RiverHawks fall to 11-29 on the year and 8-17 in conference play.

NSU starter Dustin Berrong turned in another great performance, allowing three hits, issued three walks and struck out three in six innings of work.  However, those three walks came in the fourth innings where the Lions plated the only run of the contest.  Trevor Smith worked the final two innings allowing one hit and struck out one.

The Lions pitching staff held the RiverHawks bats in check allowing just three hits.  Jaxon Phipps, Colton Burgess and Alex Massie accounted for the three NSU hits while the team struck out a season high 18 times.

Northeastern State stranded nine on the bases, including leaving the bases loaded in the eighth inning.

The RiverHawks and Lions will return to action on Friday for game two. First pitch is slated for 6:00 pm