TAHLEQUAH -- Jonathan Smithey turned in a quality start, while his offense provided plenty of runs as Northeastern State held on for a 5-3 win over Pittsburg State on Friday afternoon.

The Basics
Score: Northeastern State 5, Pittsburg State 3
Records: Northeastern State 9-8 (3-1 MIAA), Pittsburg State 12-7 (2-2 MIAA)
NSU Pitcher of record: Jonathan Smithey (3-2), Nic Swanson (2)

How it happened
The RiverHawks opened the scoring in the third inning when Jaxon Phipps hit a double to the left field fence that scored Collin Klingensmith and Traice Hartter, giving NSU the 2-0 lead. 

RiverHawks starter Jonathan Smithey was absolutely dominant, not allowing a hit until the fifth inning, and not allowing a run until the Gorillas used a pair of errors to scratch one across in the sixth.

NSU padded their lead in the bottom of the seventh, as Nic Swanson led off the inning with a strikeout, but the ball got away from the catcher, allowing Swanson to reach base. Dylan Hight would add a single to put runners on the corners. Swanson would score on a double steal that worked to perfection, with Hight moving to second. He would score on a single up the middle off the bat of Klingensmith, who would reach second when the center fielder had problems fielding the ball. Klingensmith would come around to score when Phipps again doubled, this one going to right-center field. 

The Gorillas wouldn't go down without a fight, as they scored two runs in the top of the eighth to make it a 5-3 game. Swanson came on to pitch the ninth, allowing the first batter to reach on a single into right field. He would then induce Ryan Koval to hit a groundball to second base that NSU was able to turn into a double play. Swanson would then get the final batter to fly out to right field.

Inside the box score
- Blake Freeman went 0-4, ending his hitting streak at 26 games. It is the longest hit streak in NSU history.
- Smithey ended up lasting for seven and two-thirds of an inning, recording eight strikeouts and lowering his season era to 3.03. He has 33 strikeouts on the season, which leads the team.
- Swanson got credited with the save, his second of the season. The sophomore has thrown 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and no runs while recording seven strikeouts.

Up Next: The RiverHawks and Gorillas will continue the series on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.