TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State heads to Topeka Friday to open a best-of-three-game series against Washburn in the MIAA Baseball Tournament Quarterfinal. 

The RiverHawks (22-25) claimed the No. 6 seed in the tournament after finishing the MIAA season with a 15-18 record.   Washburn (29-20) is the tournament's No. 3 seed and went 21-12 in Association play this year. 

In Topeka this season, Washburn is 16-5 at Falley Field.  Northeastern State won the middle game of the series this season in Topeka and was an inning away from winning the opening contest. 

The previous eight games between the RiverHawks and Ichabods have been split.  Both teams met in the MIAA Tournament a year ago in the semifinal, with Washburn winning that one 8-5 in Edmond.  A week later, Northeastern State ended the Ichabods' season 14-13 in the NCAA Central Regional. 

Kademon Graff is slated to play his 100th game the next time NSU plays.  Blake Freeman needs three hits to reach 300; his career total is sixth most among active players in NCAA college baseball this season and fifth most in MIAA history.   Coby Tweten has had a base hit in 17 of the last 19 games, C.D. White holds a 13 game hitting streak, and Brady Evans has a hit in 12 consecutive games.   

The winner of the three-game series will face either Missouri Southern or Newman on May 11 at 4 p.m. in the MIAA Semifinal in Warrensburg, Mo. 

First pitch Friday is at 5 p.m., Saturday starts at 2 p.m., Sunday's if necessary game is scheduled for 1 p.m.