TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State couldn't overcome an early seven-run deficit as Central Oklahoma held on for an 11-9 win in an MIAA midweek matchup at Rousey Field.

Diego Murillo led the RiverHawks at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three RBI. NSU batters drew seven walks but struck out nine times.

The bulk of the damage came in the second inning when the Bronchos sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs. The RiverHawks responded in the third with three consecutive clutch hits to cut the deficit to three. Murillo capped the rally with a two-RBI double to left field.

The teams traded runs in the sixth inning, with Colton Ayres launching his fourth home run of the season to right field.

Central Oklahoma (23-8, 19-6 MIAA) extended its lead to 9-5 in the seventh with its second homer of the game, this one clearing the left-field fence. In the bottom half, NSU scored a pair of unearned runs on an errant pickoff attempt to first base. Murillo added another RBI with a groundout to bring the RiverHawks within two.

Both teams exchanged runs again in the eighth.

The Bronchos tacked on a key insurance run in the ninth to make it 11-8. NSU managed one more run in the bottom of the frame on an Austin Rees sacrifice, but couldn't complete the comeback.

Northeastern State dropped to 11-25 overall and 9-14 in conference play. The RiverHawks hit the road this weekend for a three-game series at Fort Hays State.