TAHLEQUAH — Colton Ayres homered for a second time on the season as Northeastern State fell in seven innings to Arkansas-Fort Smith in a 12-2 midweek setback Tuesday.

The RiverHawks (10-12, 7-6 MIAA) fell behind early after UAFS (8-15, 3-10 MIAA) scored the game's first four runs in the opening two innings. NSU got on the board after a Holden Yoder sacrifice fly in the second and a solo Colton Ayres home run in the third before the Lions scored eight unanswered the rest of the way to earn the win.

The homer marked the seventh extra base hit of the season for Ayres, as the solo shot was one of the team's four hits on the day from four different players. Mason Ruiz, Austin Albright and Tanner Almond all logged hits, while Drake Sisemore was assessed the loss after starting at pitcher and surrendering four runs (three earned) in 1.2 innings.

The RiverHawks open a four-game series against Drury on Friday at 5 p.m. from Rousey Field.