TOPEKA, Kan. ----- Alex Massie hit his eighth home run of the year and finished 2-4 at the plate as the RiverHawks dropped the opener of a three-game series 7-2 in MIAA baseball action at Falley Field here Friday.

The road in the MIAA continued to not be a friend of the RiverHawks, falling to 12-35 and 9-22 in conference play.  NSU has now dropped 13 straight away from Thomas C. Rousey field.

Northeastern State managed seven hits on the day with Massie and Erick Espinosa leading the way with two hits each. Blake Freeman, Wes O'Neill, and Marshall McPherson chipped in with one hit apiece.

NSU starter Jonathan Smithey turned in a solid performance, going 6.1 innings.  After allowing two runs in the opening frame, Smithey shut down the Ichabods bats for the next five innings before leaving in the seventh.  Smithey scattered seven hits and allowed six runs in the loss.

The RiverHawks pulled to within a run at 2-1 in the third inning. Brad Chronister walked to open the third and scored on a Freeman single.
Washburn responded with a run in the fourth and four more in the seventh inning to take a 7-1 lead.

NSU pulled to within 7-2 in the eighth inning on Massie's solo home run.

The RiverHawks and Ichabods will meet again on Saturday for game two. Game time is slated for 3:00 pm/