ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Coby Tweten had three hits and three RBI as Northeastern State edged Missouri Western 10-9 in a seesaw game Friday evening. 

The RiverHawks took the lead five times to take the first game of three against the Griffons as they improved to 13-16 (7-11 MIAA).

NSU struck early on the Griffons with their first two batters reaching base.  Ty Van Meter hit an RBI single through the left side to plate Blake Freeman from second, and Tweten added two more on a double to left field.  In the bottom half of the inning, Missouri Western took advantage of a leadoff infield error by NSU and had four consecutive hits to even the game back at 3-3.

Kademon Graff was hit by a pitch to lead off the second and put NSU back out on top after Brayden Rodden hit a single to center.  Graff scored on a throwing error by the Griffs' centerfielder. 

Missouri Western (6-23, 3-15 MIAA) evened the game in the fourth inning by scoring on a ground out.

Brady Evans pulled NSU back ahead with a bases-loaded walk in the fifth.  However, the Griffons tied the game for a third time with a two-out single to right field and pulled ahead for the first time scoring the go-ahead run in the sixth on a wild pitch. 

A Griffons' infield error in the seventh allowed NSU to overtake the lead with two runs scoring on the miscue.  After a scoreless frame, Missouri Western pulled ahead for the final time, tying the game on a double and getting the go-ahead run on another infield error. 

Down to their final outs in the ninth, Tweten and Graff hit RBI doubles to pull ahead for the fifth time.  Freeman added an insurance run, hitting a sac fly to center.   The Griffons made a run at NSU in the bottom half, getting a run across home and loading the bases before fouling out to end the game. 

Seth Stacey threw 99 pitches in six innings, striking out seven batters.  Cole White (2-1) earned the win in relief, going 1.2 innings. 

The RiverHawks will return to the field Saturday at 4 p.m. for game two of the series.