SEARCY, Ark. – A walk-off two-out double by Alyssia Crick capped off a five-run seventh by the RiverHawks who stunned Midwestern State, 7-6, in their season opener Friday afternoon. The RiverHawks entered the final frame being one-hit with their final three runs coming with two outs.
THE BASICS
Score: Northeastern State 7, Midwestern State 6
Records: Northeastern State 1-0, Midwestern State 0-4
NSU Pitcher of Record: Gail Young (1-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless inning, the Mustangs drew first blood on NSU with a two-out solo homer down the left field line. A one-out walk by Jess Schuler opened the door for the RiverHawks to score two runs without hitting the ball out of the infield. Cat Rodman hit her first career RBI to tie the game and a muffed throw to first scored Addy Wolfe who reached earlier in the frame on an infield single.
A leadoff hit-by-pitch and single gave the Mustangs a pair on with no-outs. Young would get the next batter to pop-up to herself before Midwestern State tied the game with a double down the left field line. Midwestern pulled ahead with their six-hole hitter singling two more runs to go up 4-2 on the RiverHawks. They added two more insurance runs in seventh after a pair of defensive miscues by NSU.
NSU threatened in the final frame and loaded the bases with one out to get the tying run at the plate. Megan Green pushed a run across on a six-pitch walk, and Cameron Conrad hit a sac fly to center to put the RiverHawks a pair back. Addie Elbon, on a 2-1 count, tied the game with a double to center. Following a Mustang pitching change, Alyssia Crick smoked the first pitch she saw down the left field line for the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Schuler went 0-0 with three walks and a run scored.
- Ten runs were scored in the final three frames.
- Young made her 58h career start for NSU.
- NSU was 10-14 overall in advancing runners.
