TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State's offense banged 16 hits and took a 10-2 series-opening win over Emporia State on Friday afternoon at Thomas C. Rousey Field.

All nine NSU starters had a hit with Erick Espinosa having a 3-for-5 game.  Jonathan Smithey (2-3) struck out nine Emporia batters in 6 2/3 innings of work. 

The RiverHawks (12-32, 9-19 MIAA) were one short matching their single-game hit mark this season and snapped a five-game skid.

Northeastern State jumped ahead in their first at-bats with four straight hits.  Colton Burgess and Espinosa both banged out RBI singles to put NSU up 2-0 on the Hornets.

After a scoreless inning, Emporia State grabbed a run back on the RiverHawks on a solo homer down the left field line.

In the fourth, the RiverHawks did damage with the bases loaded to plate four runs on the Hornets.  Blake Freeman and Jaxon Phipps both hit RBI singles, with NSU adding one more on an error, and a wild pitch to go up 6-1.

The RiverHawks hit parade continued in the fifth where they had six and added three more runs on the Hornets.

Emporia State (25-17, 17-11 MIAA) grabbed a run back in the sixth before Zack Henderson doubled to the center field fence for NSU's tenth run.

John Rains and Jeremy Husband both worked out of the bullpen and tossed a scoreless frame.

Northeastern State continues the series on Saturday at noon. The program will honor its senior class following the contest.