TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State's offense paved the way for a 12-9 win Sunday at Emporia State to give them a series win over the Hornets.
The RiverHawks hit seven extra-base hits, with
Brock Reller having three of NSU's ten hits on the day. The fifth-year senior splashed his seventh homer of the year to right field in the second inning.
Northeastern State looked to be in the driver's seat early, scoring five in the opening frame and adding two more in the second.
Up 8-0 in the fifth, ESU opened the inning off with a lead-off homer, and it opened the door to three more runs, cutting down the RiverHawks' lead in half.
Collin Klingensmith hit his first homer of the year in the sixth, scoring a pair to give NSU a six-run lead. After a scoreless frame, ESU hit a grand slam to make it a 10-8 NSU advantage in the seventh.
Matt Kaiser and
Brayden Rodden had an RBI in the ninth for two insurance runs. In their final three outs, the Hornets plated one run and got the tying run at the plate before
Jake Bigham struck out the game's last batter.
Jon Moll (3-0) pitched a scoreless eighth and was credited with the win in relief.
The RiverHawks improve to 11-3 (2-0 MIAA) and are off to their best start since 2001. Emporia State matched NSU's ten hits and slipped to 5-8 (0-2 MIAA)
Northeastern State will go for the series sweep at 1 p.m. Monday.
