TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State's offense ripped through MoWest's pitching for a 16-run day, but the RiverHawks could not overcome a hot start from the Griffons in a 24-16 loss in the series finale at Rousey Field.

The Griffons (11-16, 6-10 MIAA) opened with 12 runs in the top of the first inning, sending NSU starter Izac Sizemore and reliever Hudson Birch out of the game after allowing the first 10 (four earned) and collecting two outs in that span. The RiverHawks (9-19, 4-12 MIAA) returned fire with a three-run response in the bottom half of the inning, but the Griffons would collect five of the game's next seven runs to once again stretch their lead to 12 (17-5) entering the bottom of the fifth.

The NSU offense would fire up a valiant comeback bid behind eight runs, highlighted by an Xavier Sanchez home run in the fifth to bring the difference to just four (17-13) going into the sixth. MoWest stretched back to a seven-run lead with three more runs in the sixth and would never trail by less than five for the rest of the matchup.

The RiverHawks had 15 base hits in the loss, but surrendered 20 to the Griffons. Defensive woes were also present, with NSU being assessed four of the contest's six errors. Chance Pair was one of six NSU players to record a multi-hit game, leading the team as its sole player with three hits. Sanchez batted in six runs, while Jaxon Gregory and Jackson Dillingham additionally homered in the loss.

NSU would utilize 11 pitchers in the loss, striking out nine as a unit. The two pitching staffs combined for 431 pitches tossed in the high-scoring battle.

The RiverHawks complete the homestand Tuesday with a midweek bout against Central Oklahoma, starting at 3 p.m.