TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State Baseball opens a three-game series Friday with nearby Rogers State in a critical MIAA tilt for both programs. 

With nine MIAA contests remaining, the RiverHawks and Hillcats are tied for seventh place in the standings and hold a game lead over Emporia State for the upcoming conference tournament.

Uniquely the series is played at two different sites, with Friday and Sunday's games being played in Claremore; the middle contest will be at Thomas C. Rousey Field. 

The Hillcats (22-15, 11-14 MIAA) have lost its previous three games, and a quick 9-1 start to the season moved them up to No. 21 nationally.   Northeastern State has won four of the five previous meetings with RSU.  In MIAA play, the RiverHawks lead the series 5-1. 

CJ Briley, NSU's projected Sunday starter, was named MIAA Pitcher of the Week and NCBWA Central Region Pitcher of the Week.  Briley threw a gem for Northeastern State on April 8 against Fort Hays State, fanning nine across a complete-game 7.0-inning shutout.  The southpaw allowed just two hits while walking three, recording 17 swinging strikes on 92 pitches for a strong 18.5% whiff rate.  Blake Freeman is 19 hits away from 300 and is ranked third among active players in NCAA Division II in career base knocks.

First pitch at Rousey Field on Saturday is at 3 p.m., Friday's game in Claremore starts t 2 p.m., and Sunday's is at 1 p.m.