HAYS, Kan. – Northeastern State hit four home runs but couldn't recover from a six-run first inning by No. 27 Fort Hays State, falling 17-7 on Sunday in the series finale.

Gage Williams homered in the second and sixth innings, while Mason Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a solo shot in the second. Xavier Sanchez added a three-run homer to left-center.

Fort Hays State (26-10, 20-5 MIAA) took control early, scoring six runs before recording an out. Northeastern State trimmed the deficit to 8-6 in the fifth, but the Tigers responded by outscoring the RiverHawks 9-1 the rest of the way. The game ended in the eighth inning via the run rule.

Northeastern State (12-27, 9-16 MIAA) returns home Tuesday to host Arkansas-Fort Smith at 5 p.m.