ST. JOSEPH, Missouri – Blaze Brothers' bat was hot in the first game and Nic Swanson continued his dominance in the nightcap as NSU swept the Saturday doubleheader at Missouri Western. NSU hit four home runs on the day and improved to 13-4 (11-3 in MIAA) on the season.

Game 1
THE BASICS
Final score: Northeastern State 12, Missouri Western 7
NSU pitcher of record: Jonathan Smithey (W, 3-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Griffons jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a homer to left field in the second but it was short-lived as Blaze Brothers delivered a two-run home run down the left field line.
 
Jaxon Phipps led off the top of the fourth with a single down the left field line and got to third on a fielder's choice and a wild pitch. Chaz Orr lifted a sacrifice fly to left to plate another run.
 
With two-outs Missouri Western homered to left to trim the lead.
 
It was the fifth in which NSU took control as Reid Fehr led off with a single and scored on a wild pitch following two free passes. The fourth batter of the inning, Collin Klingensmith, pulled a home run to right field to plate Brothers and Rodden.
 
Down 7-2, Missouri Western hit back-to-back home runs to right field in the bottom half.
 
NSU added three more runs in the sixth thanks to Brothers' bat as he hit a shot over the center field wall with one out and two on.
 
The Griffons continued to respond in the bottom half by loading the bases with no outs and hitting a three-run home run themselves to knock NSU's Smithey out. Relievers Lee Callison and Ryan Summers put a stop to the Griffons' momentum.
 
NSU loaded the bases with one out in the top of the eighth and scored two on an error by the pitcher.
 
Seth Key and Connor Bell held MWSU hitless the next two frames to secure the game 1 victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX

• Brothers hit two home runs in the game and drove in five while scoring four runs himself.
• It was Klingensmith's second home run of the season.
• Fehr was 3-4 and scored four runs. He was one of four RiverHawks with multi-hit games.
• Blake Freeman pushed his hit streak to 21 games and was 2-5.
• Nathan Norris earned his first start of the season and singled in the sixth.

Game 2
THE BASICS
Final score: Northeastern State 6, Missouri Western 3
NSU pitcher of record: Nic Swanson (W, 5-0)
Save: Dakodah Jones (4)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The RiverHawks struck for four runs in the second inning. Phipps homered to straight-away center with on out before C.D. White singled and Michael Conn reached on an error. Norris' fielder's choice plated White and a two-out Brothers triple gave NSU a 4-0 lead.

That was enough for Nic Swanson who allowed his first inning with multiple runs in the third on a two-out home run down the left field line.

Brothers doubled to left center in the top of fifth with one down and scored on a two-out Klingensmith single to center. Freeman and Phipps made it three-straight singles to bring NSU's lead back to four runs, 6-2.

After seven innings of two-run ball and striking out nine Swanson was relieved by Summers who allowed back-to-back doubles to trim the lead to three runs.

Dakodah Jones earned his fourth save of the season and got a double play ball in the ninth to secure the fifth-straight series win.

INSIDE THE BOX

• All RiverHawks infielders had a hit. Brothers and Phipps each had two base knocks apiece.
• It was the fifth start of 6.1 innings or more by Swanson. His ERA remains under 1.00 (0.94).
• Freeman pushed his hitting streak 22 games with a single through the right side.
• It was the eighth game in which NSU pitching struck out 10 or more.

UP NEXT
NSU will close the road trip tomorrow with a 1 p.m. first pitch at Griffon Field. The RiverHawks have taken two of three in their first four MIAA series and are seeking a sweep.