TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Two runs were enough for Northeastern State to keep its postseason hopes alive, as the RiverHawks edged Missouri Southern, 2-1, on Friday at Thomas C. Rousey Field.

The victory moved NSU to 15-33 overall and 12-23 in MIAA play, pulling even with Missouri Western for the 10th and final spot in next week's MIAA Tournament. Northeastern State holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Griffons, meaning the only scenario that would keep the RiverHawks out is a loss Saturday combined with a Missouri Western win over Central Oklahoma.

Missouri Southern scored its only run in the first inning, but NSU freshman Braxton Jones (5-7) settled in to strike out eight over 6 1/3 innings. He threw 104 pitches and froze three Lions batters looking. Trey Havens earned the save, retiring eight straight on 28 pitches.

Diego Murillo, Austin Rees and Caleb Reynolds each had two hits. Gage Williams tied the game in the third with an RBI ground out, and the go-ahead run scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the inning.

The Lions tallied three doubles and left seven runners on base, dropping to 26-23 overall and 18-17 in the MIAA.

The series concludes Saturday at 2 p.m. NSU will honor seven seniors before first pitch.