BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Northeastern State split its Saturday doubleheader at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic, falling 3-0 to Southern Arkansas before bouncing back with a 15-4 rout of William Jewell.
With the split, the RiverHawks remain at .500 with a 4-4 overall record.
In the opener, Southern Arkansas edged NSU in a pitcher's duel, tallying three extra-base hits. The Muleriders broke through with an RBI double in the fourth and added solo home runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
Northeastern State was held hitless until Macie Sawney led off the sixth with a single to right field. Gracie Turner (1-1) went the distance in the circle, striking out five in the complete-game effort.
The RiverHawks' offense came alive in the nightcap, erupting for 16 hits against William Jewell. Taylor Nichols led the charge with two hits and four RBI.
The Cardinals briefly held a lead after a three-run homer in the first, but NSU answered with four runs in the second and erupted for nine in the third. The RiverHawks sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning, collecting eight hits off three William Jewell pitchers.
Charlea Cochran and Brynn Burchfield each drove in three runs for NSU.
Ryleigh Peters (1-0) earned the win with three innings of relief, as the game ended in the fourth.
Northeastern State wraps up its weekend in Bentonville on Sunday with matchups against Southeastern Oklahoma and Arkansas-Monticello.
