TYLER, Texas -- Northeastern State couldn't fully overcome an early deficit and fell to No. 1 Texas-Tyler in a 9-3 result to conclude the team's weekend.

The RiverHawks (6-2) surrendered a trio of scores in the second inning to the Patriots (6-4) to fall into an early 3-0 hole. Madison Nance sent a run home in the third inning, and Peyton Watson scored in the fourth to move the deficit to one score, but the Patriots scored another three in the fifth to place the matchup out of reach. Watson would secure an RBI single for NSU's last score in the sixth inning.

In the loss, the RiverHawks collected seven base hits, including two each from Watson and Ashlynn Turner. Mattison Hamilton landed a double in the Sunday setback, while Turner provided a triple. Jensyn Elder tossed 5.2 innings for Northeastern State and received the loss, while Brooke Wyatt registered an out in relief.

The team returns to the field with the Cherokee Nation Softball Festival, starting their participation with a 12 p.m. first pitch on Thursday against East Central in Tahlequah.