TAHLEQUAH -- Due to the potential for inclement weather, Northeastern State has moved its upcoming softball dates against Missouri Southern and Central Missouri. The RiverHawks now play MSSU in Joplin on Friday (12/2 p.m.) and UCM in Warrensburg on Tuesday (12/2 p.m.). Tuesday's previously scheduled doubleheader against Cameron has been canceled.

The RiverHawks (20-13, 7-5 MIAA) concluded a homestand last week by sweeping Newman on Friday before dropping a pair of games against Central Oklahoma on Saturday. The pair of wins kept NSU unbeaten across program history against NU at home. The late win against the Jets also marked the quickest the team has reached 20 wins in a season (31 games) since 2014.

Halle Hance continued her stretch of stellar offense last week, slamming two home runs and driving in four runs. She enters this week with a base hit in seven of eight appearances since returning to the lineup on Mar. 20.

Mattison Hamilton leads the team with 38 base hits for the season and has a hit in 19 of her last 20 games. She recorded her first home run with the program with an inside-the-park score on Saturday against UCO. Emily Carpenter homered in both late games against the Jets and Bronchos and has a RBI in five of her last six. 

In the circle, Brooke Wyatt and Aubree Saporito had winning starts against Newman. Jensyn Elder had four strikeouts in a start against UCO, while Gracie Turner had three strikeouts in a relief appearances against NU.

Missouri Southern (31-5, 6-2 MIAA) moved up two spots in the latest NFCA/GoRout Division II Coaches Poll and into the top ten, taking the #9 spot after sweeping MIAA play on the road last week. The Lions have won five straight, holding their opponents to one run or less in three wins across that span. The RiverHawks trail in the all-time series (26-46-1) and have dropped the last seven to the Lions. They enter Friday seeking their first win against MSSU in softball since Mar. 25, 2022 and their first in Joplin since Apr. 27, 2019.