HAYS, Kan. – Behind a gritty complete-game outing from Izac Sizemore and a clutch sixth-inning knock from Gage Williams, Northeastern State stunned No. 27-ranked Fort Hays State, 6-2, on Saturday evening to even the series and set up a Sunday showdown.

Sizemore was the heartbeat on the mound, mixing his pitches with precision and poise. The right-hander fanned five and induced a dozen ground outs, commanding the game from start to finish to notch his first win of the season (1-2). His work kept the Tigers at bay and gave the RiverHawks the platform they needed.

At the plate, it was Williams who sparked the breakthrough. With the game tied 2-2 in the sixth and the count full, Williams roped a go-ahead single down the third base line, plating Zach Burnes and Austin Rees to give NSU a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Just moments later, Finley Bunch raced home on a wild pitch, pushing the RiverHawks ahead 5-2.

Earlier, Diego Murillo had cracked a two-run double in the third inning to tie the game, showcasing the kind of timely hitting that fueled NSU's upset bid.

Rees added an insurance run in the eighth, scoring on a heads-up play during a stolen base attempt, sealing the RiverHawks' statement win.

Fort Hays State (25-10, 19-5 MIAA) plated their only runs in the second and third innings, unable to crack Sizemore's rhythm the rest of the way.

With the victory, the RiverHawks (12-26, 9-15 MIAA) not only earned a confidence boost—they also set the table for a potential series win on Sunday. First pitch is set for noon as NSU looks to keep building momentum in MIAA play.