TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State will close out the regular season with a three-game series beginning Thursday at Emporia State, with a berth in the MIAA Tournament at stake.

The RiverHawks (16-29, 11-22 MIAA) enter the final weekend holding a one-game lead over Fort Hays State for the final spot in the conference tournament. Northeastern State secured that position by taking two of three games from the Tigers last weekend.

Fort Hays State will host Newman in its final series. Newman enters the weekend with a 2-30 mark in league play.

Northeastern State has found success in recent trips to Emporia, winning five of its last six games on the road against the Hornets. However, Emporia State swept the RiverHawks in Tahlequah last season.

Klete Finley leads Northeastern State offensively with a .350 batting average and nine home runs. The junior recorded three hits in last Friday's game against Fort Hays State. Zach Burnes also had a strong series, collecting four hits and four RBI, including his first home run of the season in the finale.

Emporia State opened the season by winning 12 of its first 13 games and enters the weekend at 32-15 (19-14 MIAA). The Hornets have cooled recently, going 5-7 over their last 12 games, but have already secured their first 30-win season since 2018.

Emporia State holds a 22-15 advantage in the all-time series, with the teams splitting 14 previous meetings in Emporia.

The series opens at 5 p.m. Thursday, continues at 2 p.m. Friday and concludes at noon Saturday.