MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Northeastern State outhit Northwest Missouri, but big innings in the early and middle portion of Sunday's encounter guided the Bearcats to a victory in the finale, 13-8.

The RiverHawks found a quick score to begin the game with Tyson Fourkiller providing a sacrifice fly to bring home Brooks Miller. The early 1-0 advantage was wiped away by a five-inning second frame by the hosts. The RiverHawks followed with six unanswered over the next three innings to hold a 7-5 edge exiting the top of the fifth.

The two sides traded scores until the bottom of the sixth, when the Bearcats turned an 8-6 deficit into an 11-8 lead with their second five-run inning of the day. Northeastern State would be held off the board the rest of the way, with two more runs landing home in the eighth for NWMSU. 

The RiverHawks finished with ten base hits, while the Bearcats ended the day with nine. Fourkiller, Brooks Miller and Jessie Moreno III finished with two hits apiece, with Brooks and Drew Miller providing the team's lone extra base hits with a double each in the Sunday meeting.

C.D. White was dealt a loss after allowing eight earned runs in five innings, despite striking out five batters. Moreno added four more strikeouts in relief over the final 2.2 innings, while Korben Ford and Kyle Duffey saw action on the mound between them.

With one week left in the regular season, the RiverHawks go to 20-26 overall and 11-19 in MIAA action. The victory places Northwest Missouri at 19-26 overall, with an identical 11-19 mark in league baseball.

Oklahoma Baptist travels to Tahlequah for Northeastern State's non-conference finale on Tuesday, schedule to begin at 6 p.m. at Rousey Field. Read Full Article