TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State Softball breaks from their conference schedule this week, hosting Great American Conference (GAC) foe Oklahoma Baptist on Tuesday at RiverHawks Park.

The team split a doubleheader with Newman last week in Wichita, Kan. before dropping two matchups in Edmond, Okla. to Central Oklahoma.

The Setup
- Northeastern State is in its first season with Rachel Rhode as the head softball coach.  She has experience as an assistant at Truman State (2021-22) and Bemidji State (2019-20).
- The RiverHawks enter the campaign after a 30-win result in 2023, the team's sixth straight winning season and their second 30-win effort since 2018. A 12-14 MIAA record resulted in NSU missing the league's postseason tournament for the second time in three seasons. 
- Three of the team's last four doubleheaders are at RiverHawks Park, though their non-conference finale takes place next week in Alva, Okla. against Northwestern Oklahoma.

Around the Diamond
- The offense took off against the Jets in the late meeting last Friday in Wichita, which saw the RiverHawks score eight runs behind five extra-base hits, including a grand slam from Raegan Edwards.
- Allison Zanca was one of the team's top hitters last week, claiming four base hits and homering for a second consecutive week with a solo shot in the early game against Newman. 
- Addy Wolfe registered two multi-hit performances, connecting on two hits in late games against the Jets and Bronchos last week. 
- Emily Sampson had another strong week from the batter's box, finishing with a team-high three base hits in the 8-3 win over the Jets last Friday and adding two more hits to her total the following afternoon against a ranked UCO foe.
- Macie Sawney continued a stellar campaign with her baserunning abilities, swiping her team-best eighth base of the season against Newman on Friday.

Northeastern State vs. Oklahoma Baptist (Apr. 16 at 4 and 6 p.m.) // Live Coverage

About Oklahoma Baptist (32-11, 24-3 GAC)
- Owning a healthy four-game lead for first place in the Great American Conference (GAC), the Bison have enjoyed a level of success that has seen them receiving votes for the most recent NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll.
- Sam Maples is in her sixth season as the head softball coach, which saw her most recently take the program to their most winningest season of their DII era, with 44 victories and their first NCAA Division II National Tournament berth. Maples is set to log her fifth straight winning season in Shawnee, Okla. Prior coaching experience for the former All-Conference USA pitcher includes time at Colorado Christian, where she was the interim head coach in 2016.
- Morgan Max (.400, 8 HR, 39 RBI) has had an impressive year to lead the Bison on the offensive side, while Ally Ryan (15 HR) has been the team's top power source.
- The duo of Kayleigh Jones (17-4, 1.86 ERA, 208 SO) and Maggie Place (13-6, 2.19 ERA, 66 SO) have been largely responsible for the Bison possessing one of the best pitching staffs in the GAC this year.

Series Notes
- Northeastern State leads the series, 7-5-1.
- Oklahoma Baptist enters this week winners of the last three against the RiverHawks.
- NSU's lone loss to OBU in Tahlequah happened on Apr. 4, 1995, with the team unbeaten at home since then.

Coming Up
Northeastern State travels to battle Northwestern Oklahoma on Apr. 23 before concluding the campaign at home against Fort Hays State (Apr. 26) and Nebraska-Kearney (Apr. 27).