TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State scored five runs in the third inning and plated seven in the sixth to drive a 13-7 triumph over Upper Iowa in the first victory of the Kyle Williams era on Friday.

The RiverHawks (1-1) fell behind early, falling victim to three scores in the top of the first inning from the Peacocks (0-1). NSU would answer in the bottom of the first with a Gannon White run off an error from the UIU outfield. Bryce Parlin would rebound to toss three scoreless innings to cap off his first start of the season, opening a window for the hosts to claim the lead in the bottom of the third with their five-run burst.

The Peacocks would briefly regain momentum with a two-run showcase in the top of the fifth to cut the RiverHawk lead to one before NSU placed the contest firmly out of reach in the bottom of the sixth. Of the seven runs that scored in the inning, three occurred through walks from UIU pitching, two happened due to hit batters, and an additional run crossed after a dropped fly ball out of the middle infield.

Upper Iowa would find a short answer with a solo home run to lead off the seventh and an additional score on a ground ball that remained in the infield. Evan Schuelke would go on to slam the door on the Peacocks in the top of the ninth, striking out the final batter of the game.

Hudson Birch received the win in his first NSU appearance. It occurred after the junior handled the sixth and seventh innings of action. Parlin would strike out eight batters in his NSU debut, while Klete Finley guided the offense with four of the team's nine hits, including their lone extra base hit.

Through two games, the team's 21 runs scored are their most in a season-opening two-game stretch since 2016. The afternoon effort also marks the program's fifth straight win across home openers.

The RiverHawks continue a three-game series with the Peacocks on Saturday, with first pitch set for 1 p.m.