WICHITA, Kan. – The Northeastern State baseball team scored five runs in the fifth inning, but were unable to top Newman on Thursday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Northeastern State 5, Newman 6
Records: Northeastern State 9-12 (3-4 MIAA), Newman 8-15 (2-5 MIAA)
NSU Pitcher of Record: Cohen Bell (0-2)
 
How it Happened
The RiverHawks fell behind early, as Newman scored two runs in the first, one in the third and two in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead.
 
NSU started clawing back in the fifth, when Wes O'Neill drew a leadoff walk. After Traice Hartter flew out, Reid Fehr singled through the left side to put two runners on for Collin Klingensmith, who singled to right field to load the bases. Nic Swanson then stepped up to the plate and doubled down the left field line, clearing the bases and bringing NSU to within two.
 
It wouldn't take long for the RiverHawks to tie the game, as Blake Freeman took the fourth pitch he saw and homered to right field. However, NSU would be unable to take the lead, as Newman retired the final two batters of the inning.
 
The Jets would score one in the bottom of the seventh to take a 6-5 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Jonathan Smithey got the start for the RiverHawks, lasting five innings and recording six strikeouts. Cohen Bell came on in the sixth and threw two innings, allowing one run and recording two strikeouts.
- Nic Swanson went 2-4 with one double and three RBI. He now has 11 RBI on the season, which is third-most on the team. Freeman is one of three RiverHawks who are tied for the lead with 16 RBI, along with Chaz Orr and Klingensmith.

Up Next: The MIAA and its member institutions announced the suspension of all MIAA intercollegiate sports activities (practice and competition) effective at 11 p.m., March 12, 2020. The indefinite suspension applies to all institutional practices and competitions in any MIAA sport, regardless of season, until further notice.