PITTSBURG, Kan. — Northeastern State struggled to find offensive momentum Friday evening, falling to Pittsburg State 8-0 in a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) matchup at Al Ortolani Field.

The RiverHawks (10-19, 7-8 MIAA) were held scoreless as the Gorillas' pitching staff scattered five hits and struck out 11 batters. Pittsburg State (20-7, 10-7 MIAA) used timely hitting and solid pitching to secure the shutout victory.

Three of NSU's five hits were doubles, with Mason Ruiz going 2-for-4 at the plate for his ninth multi-hit game.  The RiverHawks stranded seven batters and left two runners on in the first and sixth innings.

Pittsburg State broke open the scoring in the fourth inning, plating two runs before adding three more in the seventh and three in the eighth. The Gorillas tallied 10 hits, capitalizing on the RiverHawks' two errors and displaying patience at the plate.

Northeastern State's Izac Sizemore (0-2) was tagged with the loss in his first career start, throwing 119 pitches and striking out seven batters.

The RiverHawks will look to bounce back Saturday when they continue their series against Pittsburg State at 2 p.m.