TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State softball briefly opens MIAA play this Thursday with a visit to No. 5 Rogers State for a doubleheader in Claremore. 

The RiverHawks head into their meeting with the Hillcats 12-9 overall and have won three of their last four MIAA openers.   The RiverHawks lead the overall series 11-7 and hold a 6-4 series lead on the road when facing Rogers State. 

Northeastern State has relied on the long ball this season, and with 28, they are fifth nationally; Chloe Bohuslavicky has seven good for 11th most in the nation so far this year. Gail Young is ranked fifth Division II softball among active win leaders with 63. Her 681 innings pitched is eighth-most across all of NCAA softball.

Rogers State (18-2)  has won fourth straight, out-scoring teams 26-to-3 last weekend. The Hillcats haven't played at home this season, with two doubleheaders being canceled due to weather. 

Part of RSU's success this season is in the circle with Andrea Morales, a two-time All-American, who leads all of NCAA softball with 88 complete games.  Morales is ranked ninth nationally this season with 102 strikeouts and fourth with 11 wins. 

First pitch Thursday will start at 1 p.m.