Senior Day Split
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State closed out its 2010 baseball season by splitting a doubleheader with arch-rival Central Oklahoma Sunday afternoon at Rousey Field, winning the first game 7-1 and losing the second 8-7.
The RiverHawks complete the season 23-28 overall and 19-23 in the Lone Star Conference. Central Oklahoma is 13-29 and 10-26 in LSC play.
Monday’s scheduled doubleheader between the two schools was cancelled since the games have no bearing on the LSC standings and neither team could qualify for the conference tournament next weekend in Abilene, Texas.
In the opener the RiverHawks scored four runs in the first inning on four base hits and one UCO error. Eric McKinney opened the game with a double to left field and Noah Ringenberger followed with a single. Then with two outs Angel Hernandez singled up the middle scoring McKinney for a 1-0 NSU lead.
The RiverHawks then loaded the bases when David Zavala reached on a throwing error by UCO shortstop Taylor Brown and Chris Replogle was hit by a pitch from Kale Murphree. Hernandez then scored on a Murphree wild pitch for a 2-0 RiverHawks lead. Taylor Clark followed with a walk to reload the bases.
Chad Davidson followed with a 2-run RBI single to left center scoring Replogle and Zavala for a 4-0 Northeastern State lead.
The Bronchos scored its only run in the fourth inning making it a 4-2 NSU advantage. The RiverHawks added three more runs in the fifth on four hits.
Hernandez opened the fifth with his seventh homer of the season, this one over the left center field fence for a 5-1 NSU lead. After two outs, Clark doubled to right center and Davidson followed with another double, scoring Clark for a 6-1 NSU advantage. Chris Sprick followed with a single through the right side to score Davidson, giving the RiverHawks a 7-1 lead and the win.
Tyler Patterson got the win for the RiverHawks going six innings, scattering four hits, striking out five and did not walk a batter. Patterson finished the year 6-4 on the mound. Andrew White pitched the final inning allowing two hits and a walk.
In the second game the RiverHawks rally fell one run short as the Bronchos held an 8-3 lead after seven innings of play.
Northeastern State sliced the UCO lead to 8-5 in the 8th inning with two runs on three hits. Chris Gallegos homered over the right centerfield wall, his league leading 14th of the season.
Zavala followed with a double to right center and with one out, Zavala stole third base and Replogle singled home Zavala, slicing UCO’s lead to 8-5.
Then in the ninth NSU scored two more runs on two hits, a RBI double by Gallegos, scoring Mike Stone, who had walked and Zavala’s RBI single to center field scoring Tyler Brewer, who also walked in the inning.
The RiverHawks rally ended when Hernandez grounded into a double play.
NORTHEASTERN STATE 7-7, CENTRAL OKLAHOMA 1-8
First Game
Central Oklahoma 000 100 0 – 1 6 2
Northeastern State 400 030 x – 7 9 0
Murphree and Cunningham; Patterson, White 7) and Domingue. W: Patterson (6-4). L: Murphree (2-7). HR: Hernandez (7).
Second Game
Central Oklahoma 100 303 100 – 8 14 2
Northeastern State 110 100 022 – 7 13 2
Wagner, Baker (6) and Cunningham; Colburn, Walker (6), Dean (7),Krebs (8), Hibdon (9) and C. Sprick. W: Wagner (2-4). L: Colburn (2-7). HR: Gallegos (14).
