TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State earned their fifth MIAA win of the Bowen era in the early matchup of a Saturday doubleheader against Northwest Missouri before falling in the late game at RiverHawks Park.

The RiverHawks (18-11, 5-3 MIAA) earned a low-scoring 3-2 decision over the Bearcats (22-7, 2-2 MIAA) after plating three unanswered to finish the game in response to a two-run fifth inning from the visiting side. Emily Carpenter, Mia Sarwinski and Halle Hance each batted in a run during the scoring stretch, which spanned the fifth and sixth innings. Jensyn Elder claimed her tenth win and Brooke Wyatt earned her first save from the circle.

NSU fought a close battle through four innings in the finale against NWMSU, entering the top of the fifth down a pair of runs (5-3). The Bearcats would explode with a six-run showing in the frame to force an early end to the day. Hance and Carpenter each logged another RBI in the 11-3 defeat, while Mattison Hamilton added an RBI single in the fourth as part of a two-hit performance. 

Hamilton and Hance each had three hits over the course of the doubleheader, notably bringing the four-game total on the week for Hance to seven hits.

The RiverHawks continue the homestand with a Friday meeting against Newman, beginning at 4 p.m.