Photo Gallery

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State softball team swept a two-game series against Central Missouri Friday afternoon at RiverHawks Park.
 
The RiverHawks (12-16, 4-4 MIAA) took the first game 3-2 and run-ruled the Jennies (14-10, 4-4 MIAA) 18-4 in the second game.
 
NSU's game-by-game records go back through the year 2000, and the team has not scored at least 18 runs in any game over the last 14 years.
 
This also marked the largest margin of victory for Northeastern State since March 23, 2012 (15-0 win over Southwest Baptist) and the worst loss by Central Missouri since Feb. 26, 2012 (18-2 loss to Angelo State).
 
NSU 3 , UCM 2 (box score)
Northeastern State took the early lead when junior Madison Reed reached home in the first inning after senior Kelsi Hilderbrandt reached on an error by the short stop.
 
Freshman Saharra Henson blasted her fourth home run of the season in the bottom of the third to put NSU on top 2-0.
 
Central Missouri got a run back on an NSU error in the fourth, and a solo shot from Alex Groeger in the fifth tied the game at 2-2.
 
The RiverHawks would take the lead a final time in the home half of the sixth frame when junior Megan Robison, who came in to pinch run for junior Navada Campos, scored after senior Lindsea Ross reached on a throwing error. Central Missouri put two aboard in the top of the seventh, but Northeastern State was able to get out of the jam and earn the win the first game of the doubleheader.
 
Junior Amanda Harjo had two of NSU's five hits. UCM outhit the RiverHawks 6-5, but the home side was able to take advantage of four Jennie errors.
 
Senior Cayce Coleman (3-3) tabbed the win in the circle after throwing a complete game. She allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits, while striking out six and walking two.
 
NSU 18 , UCM 4 (box score)
Central Missouri jumped on top when Groeger hit a solo home run in the first inning, but a four-run home half of the frame switched momentum and powered Northeastern State to victory.
 
Henson led off the bottom of the first with a walk, and she would later score on a Harjo single. The Jennies should have stopped the bleeding right there, but two errors on one play would cost the visitors dearly. NSU loaded the bases with two outs, and Robison popped up to the pitcher. A collision on the mound and a throwing error by Braylyn Bivens allowed all three base runners to come around and score.
 
The second inning was more of the same, as the RiverHawks were able to take advantage of a dropped fly ball in center field, which plated Allyson Pogue. Two batters later, senior Lisa Ripperger blasted a three-run round-tripper to left field and gave the home side an 8-1 lead.
 
A two-run third for Central Missouri would prove obsolete as NSU went on a scoring spree in the fourth, scoring 10 runs to hike up the score to 18-3. The RiverHawks had 10 hits and took advantage of three UCM errors in the frame.
 
Ripperger led Northeastern State was 3-for-4 with five runs batted in and three runs scored. She also had her fourth home run of the season. Harjo, Reed and senior Kelsi Hilderbrandt all scored three times, while Harjo and Henson both recorded two RBI.
 
Sophomore Shelby Enloe (4-1) earned the win in the circle. She threw a five-inning complete game, allowing six hits and four runs (two earned).
 
Northeastern State will play host to Southwest Baptist at noon March 29 at RiverHawks Park.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH CLAY DAVIS
On scoring 18 runs in the second game…
“I felt we were a lot more disciplined at the plate. We had a better approach, and we had a better plan.”
 
On the overall production of the team…
“The top of our order really carried us today. Saharra did a great job. Her job is to get on base and score runs and she scored three runs today. That's what we expect out of our leadoff hitter. Madison Reed had the same type of production right behind Saharra. Amanda Harjo also had a great day. She was 5-for-8 on the day. That just sets the table to Kelsi (Hilderbrandt) and (Lisa Ripperger) to come in and do what they do, which is drive in runs for us.”
 
On how Shelby Enloe has been playing lately…
“Shelby has done really well these last three starts. She made a couple of mistakes today, but you can afford to make those mistakes when you're up 12-13 runs. Her confidence is growing with every game. The thing about her is she gives us a chance. She doesn't walk a lot of people, she's going to go right at them, and that's the mentality we want out of a pitcher.”
 
On how the team keeps the momentum going…
“We have to keep the same focus and intensity. We can't have any kind of letdown in the next 24 hours. Every game is important in the MIAA, and a doubleheader with Southwest Baptist is just as important as a doubleheader with Central Missouri.”
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-