TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State scored four runs in the first and ninth innings in its first walk-off win of the season Tuesday afternoon at Thomas C. Rousey Field.
C.D. White had his eighth multi-hit game of the season and brought home the winning run following a full-court battle against the Bulldogs' closer.
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THE BASICS
Final score: Northeastern State 11, Southwestern Okla. State 10
NSU pitcher of record:
Dakodah Jones (1-1)
Records: NSU 13-6, SWOSU 9-8
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Southwestern's lead off batter hit a fly ball that the 13 mph wind carried over the left center fence to give the Bulldogs an early advantage off RiverHawk starter
Quinten Romero.
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Northeastern State was quick to respond, however, as it plated four runs in the bottom half.
Blaze Brothers led off with a single through the left side before coming around from first on a
Collin Klingensmith double down the left field line.
Blake Freeman singled through the left side and advanced to second on an errant throw from left field trying to nab Klingensmith at the plate.
Jaxon Phipps added to the lead with a single up the middle before scoring on a
Michael Conn double into right center.
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Seth Key worked a scoreless two frames before NSU added two more to its lead in the third inning. Freeman pulled a single through the right side before Phipps was hit by a pitch and White walked to load the bases. Conn then drew a walk to bring in a run and force a pitching change.
Chaz Orr, the fifth batter in the lineup, grounded into a double play that scored Phipps for the first outs of the inning.
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Cohen Bell came on to throw two scoreless innings striking out three before
Lee Callison took over in the top of the sixth. Southwestern got three hits in the frame and started to chip away scoring its second run of the game.
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NSU got runners in scoring position with no outs in the sixth but a baserunning mistake got SWOSU out of the inning unscathed.
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Ryan Summers came on in the seventh inning and allowed six runs to cross after getting the first out. Southwestern had a walk, a single, three doubles and a two-run home run in the inning.
John Rains was able to get out of the inning and retire four-straight before the RiverHawks' bats came alive in late as has been a common occurrence this season.
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Klingensmith had a one-out single and got to second a hot grounder to first base off of Freeman's bat. Phipps singled down the left field line to plate Klingensmith. NSU got runners on the corners with a White single but trailed 8-7 after eight frames.
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Jones came on in hopes of keeping the RiverHawks within one. He walked a batter and allowed two hits, one of which being a homer to left, as the Bulldogs extended their lead to three runs.
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Northeastern State would not go down without a fight and the first four batters reached base in the dramatic bottom of the ninth.
Connor Bell led off with a walk before
Nathan Norris and Brothers each singled.
Brayden Rodden drew a walk to load the bases for Klingensmith who delivered a sacrifice fly. Freeman followed in the shortstop's shadow hitting another sacrifice fly to center field. Phipps was hit on the elbow to put two on before each advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch. White brought home Rodden to win it for the RiverHawks with two-outs on a 3-2 high chopper over the third base bag that's spin was too much to handle.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Six NSU pitchers threw in the game and two-way player Connor Bell got his first at-bat of the season.
- Six RiverHawks had multi-hit games led by Freeman and Klingensmith with three apiece.
- March 30 is two years to the day after NSU walked off Southwest Baptist at Thomas C. Rousey Field.
- Freeman continued his hitting streak (24) and Brothers his reached base streak (18)
UP NEXT
Northeastern State (10-5 in MIAA) will continue its four-game homestand by hosting Fort Hays State (2-13 in MIAA) Friday and Saturday in search of its sixth-straight conference series win. First pitch of the Friday doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m.
