RiverHawks Split With West Texas A&M
AMARILLO, Texas- Northeastern State came from behind to defeat West Texas A&M, 23-22, in the first game of a doubleheader and lost the second game of the twinbill 8-7 on an error in the 8th inning Friday afternoon at the Dilla Villa in Amarillo, Texas.
Northeastern State is now 16-25 overall and 14-20 in the Lone Star Conference while West Texas A&M imporves to 16-17, and 10-17.
The opening game, originally scheduled for seven innings, went nine innings. The Buffaloes jumped out to a 7-1 after two innings before cutting the Tte RiverHawks cut the deficit to 7-6 in the third inning, courtesy of three hits and two hit batters by Buff starter Chad Sands.
In the bottom of the third, West Texas upped its lead to 10-6. The RiverHawks knocked Shands from the game in the fourth, as they pieced together four hits, as well as taking advantage of an error by Buff third baseman Riley Tubbs to score three runs and pull to within 12-9. Derek Heider came on and, after loading the bases, NSU's Cale Replogle hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in another run to make the score 12-10.
However, West Texas added a run in the fourth for a 13-10 advantage. Northeastern State came back to take a 14-13 lead in the top of the fifth, as five consecutive batters reached base with two out. A two-out error by WT second baseman Heath Baker opened the door for the NSU comeback, as the RiverHawks strung together two singles, a double and a single to plate four runs.
Northeastern then went to its bullpen three times in the fifth inning as the Buffalos took an 18-14 lead b efore the RiverHawks battled back for a run in the sixth making it a 18-15 game.
With two outs in the seventh, NSU pinch hitter Tyler Brewer drove in a run with a single to right field, making the score 18-16, then, centerfielder Eric McKinney gave the RiverHawks the lead with a three-run shot over the right-centerfield fence for a 19-18 RiverHawk lead.
The Buffs came backto tie the game in the seventh at 19-all before the RiverHawks regained the lead in the lead in the eighth with two runs for a 21-19 lead. However, NSU could not hold off the Buffaloes as they tied the game again in the last of the eighth at 21-all.
NSU then plated two runs in the top of the ninth, as Mike Stone tripled home David Zavala. Demetrius Terronez then doubled home Stone from second, giving NSU a 23-21 lead.
WT's Will Miller singled home DeLa Garza from second, with two out, to pull the Buffs to within 23-22 in the bottom of the ninth, but Frank Sprick got Bob Burrow to strike out to end the game.
In the night camp an infield error allowed West Texas A&M to take an 8-7, extra inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, NSU booted a grounder by WT’s Chris Valerio, allowing Garrett Campfield to score the winning run.
The Buffs scored four runs in the bottom of the first, including executing a double-steal, to take an early, 4-1, lead. NSU scored four runs on just two hits in the top of the third to take a 5-4 lead. WT pitcher Mike Delong hurt his cause by balking in a run.
The Buffs came back with two runs in their half of the fourth. A double by Adam DeLa Garza drove in two runs. NSU tied the score, 6-6, on Chris Sprick’s single in the top of the fifth. The RiverHawks had runners on the corner with two out in the top of the sixth, but David Zavala was thrown out trying to steal home on a pickoff play to first.
The score remained 6-6 until the top of the seventh, when Noah Ringenberger belted a two-out double down the left field line, scoring Chad Davidson from first base.
WT tied it in the bottom of the seventh as Will Miller singled to left, scoring Adam DeLa Garza from second base and tying the score, 7-7 and sending the game into extra innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, Campfield stuck out but reached on a passed ball, pinch hitter Tyson Hickman walked, and Chris Valerio came through with his game winning play.
P.J. Granado took the win in relief for WT, improving to 1-2, while Frank Sprick suffered the loss. His record falls to 2-1.
The two teams will play another doubleheader Saturday, set for 1 p.m.
NORTHEASTERN STATE 23-7, WEST TEXAS A&M 22-8
Second game
Northeastern State 104 010 10 – 7 13 3
West Texas A&M 400 200 11 – 8 8 3
White, F. Spick (8) and C. Sprick; Long, Bartsch (4), Granado (6) and Campbell. W: Granad0 (1-2). L: Sprick (2-1).
