TAHLEQUAH -- It was a back-and-forth affair for NSU on Saturday, but a 10th inning home run would be the difference in an 8-7 win for Pittsburg State at Rousey Field. 

The Basics
Final Score: Northeastern State 7, Pittsburg State 8
Records: Northeastern State 9-9 (3-2 MIAA), Pittsburg State 12-8 (3-2 MIAA)
NSU Pitcher of record: Cohen Bell (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Pitt State struck early, scoring two runs in the top of the first on just one hit and one walk. In the bottom of the first, the RiverHawks got the leadoff man on, but he would be caught up in a double play. Blake Freeman then doubled down the right field line, and would score when Chaz ORr singled into left-center field to get NSU on the board.

The Gorillas scratched across another run in the second, thanks to five walks, including four in a row to start the inning. The RiverHawks escaped the inning thanks in part to a line drive double play that saw Jaxon Phipps double up a runner at second. NSU responded in the bottom of the inning, when Nic Swanson led off with a triple to center field. Dylan Hight then grounded out to shortstop, but Swanson scampered home to make it a 2-1 score. 

After Pitt State scored another pair of runs in the third, NSU strung together a pair of hits, with Phipps getting a one-out single and Orr getting an RBI single to keep the RiverHawks within striking distance. 

After a scoreless top of the fourth, Northeastern State tied the game in their half of the inning, scoring two runs on two hits and using one Pitt State error to make it a one-run game. Collin Klingensmith came up big with a sacrifice fly, driving in Traice Hartter. Phipps would then hit a triple to deep center field to score Reid Fehr, but he would be thrown out trying to score, ending the inning.

Neither team scored in the fifth, but Pitt State hit a home run in the top of the sixth to go up 6-5. NSU claimed the lead in the bottom of the inning, when Hartter led off reaching on an error by the shortstop. Fehr then laid down what was supposed to be a sacrifice bunt, but the first baseman couldn't handle the throw, putting two runners on for Klingensmith, who moved them over with a sacrifice bunt. Phipps then stepped up to the plate and ripped a single into center field, scoring both runs.

The Gorillas would get a run in the seventh to tie things up. After neither team was able to break the deadlock, the Gorillas came to the plate in the tenth and got a solo home run from Dawson Pomeroy to take the lead. NSU got a pair of runners on base in the bottom of the inning, but were unable to plate a run.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Phipps went 3-5 on the afternoon with three runs batted in. He has now driven in 11 runs on the season, which is fourth-most on the team.
- Swanson and Phipps both had triples in the game, making it the first time this season that NSU has recorded two triples in a game.

Up Next: The RiverHawks and Gorillas will finish the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Rousey Field.