TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State will travel to Russellville on Tuesday to face Arkansas Tech in a nine-inning game that will be the last non-conference game for the RiverHawks before they open MIAA play.
The Opening Pitch
1. The RiverHawks are 5-6 on the season after winning three out of four games over the weekend against William Jewell. NSU swept a Friday doubleheader against the Cardinals, including a walk-off win in the first game. The two teams split Saturday's doubleheader.
2. In the first game Saturday, NSU was down 13-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth but clawed their way back and in the bottom of the seventh had the game-tying run at the plate in
Collin Klingensmith. In game two of the doubleheader,
Lee Callison had a career-high eight strikeouts in six innings pitched.
Nic Swanson came on and threw one perfect inning to close the game.
3.
Chaz Orr has been the top hitter for the RiverHawks, starting all 11 games and accumulating a batting average of .462. He brings an 11-game hit streak into the matchup. It's the second-longest on the team behind
Blake Freeman, who has recorded a hit in 22 consecutive games. On the mound it's been
Cohen Bell, who has led the way, making four relief appearances, throwing nine innings and allowing just one run. He has seven strikeouts on the season while allowing onlt six hits.
4. The Wonder Boys will bring a 4-9 record into the matchup and are 3-3 in GAC play. They are coming off a series against Henderson State, where they lost two out of three games. The win came on Saturday when they rallied back from a 3-0 defect to beat the Reddies 7-5 in game one of a doubleheader.
5. Stormy Taylor leads the way for Arkansas Tech, starting all 13 games and posting a batting average of .347. He has scored six runs and hit one home run. Evan Hafley has provided the power for the Wonder Boys, hitting three home runs this season along with recording seven RBI.
6. Armando Romero has made four relief appearances for Arkansas Tech, pitching 17 innings and allowing three earned runs while recording 24 strikeouts. Hayes Cox has made four starts, throwing 20 innings with an ERA of 4.50. He has recorded 20 strikeouts while allowing 19 hits on the season.
Up Next: NSU will open MIAA play this weekend when they face Northwest Missouri for a three-game series.
