TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State begins the final homestand of the 2026 campaign by hosting Fort Hays State (Friday, 12/2 p.m.) and Nebraska-Kearney (Saturday, 12/2 p.m.) in continued MIAA action.

Saturday marks Community Day at RiverHawks Park, in addition to Senior Day. Admission is free to all as part of the festivities, while senior recognitions will take place at 11:15, 45 minutes prior to first pitch of game one.

The RiverHawks (20-17, 7-9 MIAA) aim to conclude a six-game slide after dropping their most recent doubleheaders on the road at Missouri Southern and Central Missouri. Mia Sarwinski led the offense with five hits across the four-game road trip and enters Friday with multiple hits in three of her last five. Peyton Watson had a hit in every game of the road trip, including a triple in the late matchup against MSSU on Friday.

Additionally, Annsleigh Morris recorded her sixth home run of the season on Tuesday against UCM to tie for the team lead. Mattison Hamilton had three hits across the midweek doubleheader against the Jennies and has a hit in 22 of her last 24 games.

In the circle, the RiverHawks seek a turnaround after allowing 22 base hits and 16 runs (15 earned) across 10 innings on Tuesday against the Jennies. Across the team's six-game losing streak, the RiverHawks have allowed at least 10 hits in four contests, while they've surrendered multiple home runs in three games during that span.

Fort Hays State (18-21, 4-10 MIAA) snapped a three-game skid with a late win on Saturday against Emporia State. Hannah Green is sixth in the MIAA in batting average (.432) and Lilly Mohr is second in home runs (12), while Abby Duarte is sixth in RBI (41). Despite this, the Tigers rank eighth in the league in runs scored (206). In the circle, the Tigers sit in 12th in ERA (5.31) and are 11th in strikeouts (112) and walks allowed (126).

Only three of the team's last 12 games have lasted seven innings. The Tigers entered extras in two games (1-1) across the span and finished in five or six innings in seven (2-5).

Across the all-time series, the Tigers hold a two-game lead (15-13) over the RiverHawks. NSU holds a 5-5 home record against FHSU, while Friday marks the first doubleheader in Tahlequah for the series since 2022.

Nebraska-Kearney (13-26, 2-8 MIAA) entered the week with four straight losses and defeats in six of their last seven. The Lopers will clash with Rogers State in Claremore on Friday before traveling to Tahlequah for the Saturday doubleheader.

As an offense, the Lopers rank at the bottom of the MIAA in batting average (.235) and sit in 12th in home runs (10). Chloe Odle leads the team from the circle, receiving seven of the team's 13 victories for the season. The Lopers have allowed at least nine hits in three of four games across the current losing streak, while Saturday's 15-3 loss to ESU marked the third time in the span of a month that UNK surrendered at least 10 earned runs in a single contest.

In the all-time series, the RiverHawks lead by 11 games (18-7), winning eight of the last nine in a stretch dating back to 2022. Saturday also marks the first doubleheader in Tahlequah between the teams since 2022.