TAHLEQUAH – The Northeastern State Softball team will return to RiverHawks Park this week to host MIAA foes Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State in doubleheaders. The RiverHawks will face the Lopers Thursday at 1 p.m. and will take on the Tigers Friday at 11 a.m.
OPENING PITCH
1. Northeastern State opened MIAA play over the weekend, splitting doubleheaders with Central Oklahoma and Newman. In their 3-2 win over the Bronchos,
Gail Young tossed her 56th career complete game. She got help from her offense, as
Cat Rodman singled in the fourth to score
Madeline McIntyre. NSU continued to score in the fifth, as
Hannah Ailey and Rodman both recorded RBI hits. After UCO scored a pair in the sixth, Young recorded the final seven outs to secure the win.
2. Against the Jets, the Northeastern State offense showed up, as they raced past Newman 11-0 in game one. Young went the distance in the circle, recording seven strikeouts while tossing her 10th career shutout.
Jess Schuler became the fifth NSU batter to record 100 career RBI while Jaden Rosenquist had a pair of doubles.
3.
Sierra Crick leads the RiverHawks offense, batting .367 with 13 runs batted in and four doubles.
Addie Elbon has provided the power, swatting four home runs on the season while batting .315. Young has been the ace of the pitching staff, as she leads the MIAA in ERA (1.21) and has been named MIAA Pitcher of the Week twice this season.
4. Head Coach
Clay Davis recorded his 200th career win on Feb. 22 when the RiverHawks swept a doubleheader as part of the NSU/Cherokee Nation Festival.
5. UNK is 3-1 in MIAA play after sweeping Lincoln in a doubleheader and splitting a pair of games with Central Missouri over the weekend. Both of their wins over Lincoln were run-rule wins, including a 9-1 win in five innings in game one. Two Lopers have batting averages over the .400 mark, led by Nicole Spykstra, who is batting .473 on the season with three home runs and 26 RBI. Carlee Liesch is batting .432 this season, with two home runs and 15 RBI. Sarah Handrahan leads the UNK pitching staff, making seven appearances, compiling a record of 2-0 with a 2.62 ERA and 14 strikeouts. Erin Hallman has made a team-high 10 starts, with an ERA of 4.80 and 25 strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched.
6. FHSU enters the weekend fresh off sweeping Lincoln by matching 8-0 scores over the weekend. Before that, they were swept by Central Missouri to open MIAA play. Katie Adler leads the Tigers, batting .365 on the season, with two triples and 12 RBI. As a team, FHSU has 10 home runs, with Elise Capra and Alexis Velazquez both hitting three. In the circle, Michaelann Nelson has been the most consistent pitcher, making 11 starts, with a 7-4 record and an ERA of 1.87. She has recorded 83 strikeouts on the season and has thrown six complete games.
Up Next: The RiverHawks will compete at the Missouri Western Crossover next weekend, where they will face five opponents from the Northern Sun Conference (NSIC).
