TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State dropped the first game of the doubleheader with Central Missouri by a final of 16-1. The RiverHawks were limited to four hits and allowed 21 UCM baserunners.
 
Central Missouri struck first with a solo shot to lead off the game. RiverHawks starter Seth Key (3-2) was charged with seven runs and struck out four in the first run-rule of the season for NSU.
 
In the fifth inning, the RiverHawks drew back-to-back walks followed by a Blaze Brothers single to center to load the bases with one out. Brayden Rodden lifted a sacrifice fly to center that Tucker Dunlap was able to score on.
 
Dunlap reached base twice as the designated hitter. Collin Klingensmith had the lone extra base hit for Northeastern State on an opposite field double into the left field corner in the fourth inning.
 
The Mules improve to 30-5 (26-2 in MIAA) while the RiverHawks drop to 23-12 (20-8 in MIAA) with two games left to play in the series.