TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State used a five-run outburst in the seventh inning to win the first game of its Saturday doubleheader with Northwest Missouri, 7-3. The RiverHawks had three timely doubles in the win.
 
THE BASICS
Final score: Northeastern State 7, Northwest Missouri 3
Records: Northeastern State 2-1 (1-1 in MIAA), Northwest Missouri 2-3 (1-1 in MIAA)
NSU pitcher of record: Jonathan Smithey (1-0)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Northwest got on the board first with a single and home run to lead off the second inning.
 
The RiverHawks responded in the bottom of the fourth with doubles and the second Collin Klingensmith walk of the day. Brayden Rodden led off the inning with a two-base knock to left before Jaxon Phipps drove in two on a double down the left field line.
 
In the fifth, the Bearcats had two doubles to left field themselves to tack on a run and regain the lead, 3-2.
 
NSU drew four walks in the seventh and plated five. With two on via back-to-back walks, Blaze Brothers laced a double to left center scoring both. He then scored following a wild pitch on a Rodden single up the middle. Klingensmith then drew yet another walk before Blake Freeman singled to left center to plate Rodden. Following smart baserunning to get into scoring position Phipps was intentionally walked to bring C.D. White to the plate with the bases loaded. He delivered a single through the left side to move everyone up a bag.
 
Jonathan Smithey got his first start of the season and earned the win with 6.0 innings and was charged with all three Bearcat runs.
 
INSIDE THE BOX

• RiverHawks pitching struck out 12, a season-high. Ryan Summers had three in his 2.0 innings of relief work.
• NSU drew nine walks
• It was head coach Jake Hendrick's 100th win at Northeastern State.

UP NEXT
The RiverHawks head to Pitt State March 5-6. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the Saturday doubleheader gets underway at 1 p.m.