TAHLEQUAH – A pair of home runs came back to haunt Northeastern State as they dropped the first game of a doubleheader to Emporia State, 4-2 on Saturday.

Jess Schuler accounted for NSU's two runs on a single in the third.  

The loss drops the RiverHawks to 24-22 and 12-9 in the MIAA. 

The Lady Hornets (21-23, 11-10 MIAA) struck early in the first with a double to right center to score a pair of runs.  Northeastern State cutoff the third run with a relay throw from Madison Boyd to home to end the inning.

In the second, ESU went up three runs on the RiverHawks after a solo shot to right center.

Northeastern State made some noise in the third and after fouling off four straight pitches, Schuler cranked a ball to the right-center fence to score two runs.

After three scoreless innings, Emporia State extended their lead back out to two on a one-out solo homer to right field.

Alex Azua (1-4) tossed a complete game with two strikeouts.   The RiverHawks were limited to four hits.