TAHLEQUAH – The RiverHawks split a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon with William Jewell to take a 3-1 series win over the Cardinals. NSU rallied from an 13-run deficit but fell 13-10 in the opener, in the nightcap they shutout WJC, 5-0, in a shortened game due to darkness.
THE BASICS
Game One
Northeastern State 10, William Jewell 13
Records: Northeastern State 4-6, William Jewell 3-2
NSU Pitcher of Record: Connor Bell (0-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cardinals jumped out to a 13-0 lead through three and a half innings thanks to an eight-run fourth. The RiverHawks started clawing back, as they scored five runs in their half of the fourth, with Collin Klingensmith hitting a home run to left field to bring in a pair.
NSU added three runs in the sixth, and once again, Klingensmith came up with a timely hit, as he hit a triple down the left field line to score two. He scored when Jaxon Phipps grounded out to third base.
In the seventh, the RiverHawks scored two more, as Michael Conn hit a sacrifice fly to right field before Reid Fehr reached on an error, but the rally came up just short.
THE BASICS
Game Two
Northeastern State 5, William Jewell 0
Records: Northeastern State 5-6, William Jewell 3-3
NSU Pitcher of Record: Lee Callison (1-1)
Game two was a very different story, as the RiverHawks jumped out to the lead. Dylan Hight hit a solo home run to lead off the second. TraiceHartter followed it with a single up the middle, scoring when Fehr doubled to left field.
The RiverHawks picked up two more runs in the third, as Phipps led off with a single, advanced on a single from Blake Freeman, and stole third base. He would come around to score when Chaz Orr singled to left field. Freeman came around on an RBI single from Nic Swanson to put NSU up 4-0.
NSU added an insurance run in the fourth, with Klingensmith drew a leadoff walk and worked his way around the bases, scoring on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Freeman.
That would be more than enough for Lee Callison, who threw six scoreless innings, recording eight strikeouts and allowing just three hits.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Callison set a new career-high for strikeouts in game two. His previous career-high was two, which he accomplished on two separate occasions.
- Freeman and Orr both extended their hit streaks, with Freeman's now stretching 22 games dating back to last season. Orr has recorded a hit in every game this season, giving him an 11-game hit streak.
Up Next: The RiverHawks will be back in action on Tuesday when they kick off a five-game road trip with a 9-inning game at Arkansas Tech. They will open MIAA play next weekend when they travel to Maryville to face Northwest Missouri State
