TAHLEQUAH — Missouri Southern secured a doubleheader sweep over Northeastern State with a 5-1 victory on Saturday at RiverHawks Park, pulling away with three insurance runs in the sixth inning.

Charlea Cochran and Maddie Messenger each recorded two hits for the RiverHawks (11-25, 5-11 MIAA), who struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

The Lions struck first in the third inning, pushing across two runs on a sacrifice fly and a passed ball. Northeastern State had a chance to respond in the bottom half of the frame but came up empty. In the fifth, the RiverHawks left two runners stranded before Missouri Southern capitalized on a pair of errors to plate three runs and extend their lead to 5-0.

Cochran broke up the shutout in the sixth inning with a clutch two-out single up the middle, driving in Messenger for NSU's lone run of the game.

Gracie Turner (4-6) went the distance for Northeastern State, tossing a complete game while allowing just two earned runs.

The RiverHawks will stay at home to host Southeastern Oklahoma on Tuesday at 2 p.m.