RiverHawks Sweep Eastern New Mexico in LSC Play
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Northeastern State swept a Lone Star Conference doubleheader from Eastern New Mexico 8-7 and 7-6 at Rousey Field Friday afternoon.
The victories improve the RiverHawks to 19-27 for the year and 16-22 in LSC play. Eastern New Mexico is now 21-24 and 19-19 in league action.
In the opener the RiverHawks rallied from a 5-0 deficit to get the victory. NSU scored four runs in the fourth inning to cut the Greyhounds lead to 5-4.
Chris Gallegos opened the inning with a single to center field and Angel Hernandez followed with a walk. David Zavala, who went 2-for-3 in the first game, ripped a base hit to center field. Noah Ringenberger hitting as the designated hitter, as well as pitching, Taylor Clark reached safely on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt and went to second on the play. Ringenberger went to third and Zavala scored on the Greyhound miscue.
Following a ground out by Chris Sprick, Chad Davidson lofted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Ringenberger.
The RiverHawks added to their total with a 3-run burst in the fifth to take a 7-6 lead after Eastern New Mexico score a run in its half of the fifth.
With one out in the fifth Gallegos walked and Hernandez followed with a single to the left side. Zavala then doubled to left center scoring Gallegos with Hernandez moving to third base. The Greyhound then made a pitching change.
Ringenberger hit a grounder between the pitcher and first base and was put out on the play, which allowed Hernandez to score and Zavala advancing to third. Zavala then scored on a wild pitch.
Northeastern State added a run in the sixth for an 8-6 advantage on Eric McKinney’s solo home run, his 10th of the season.
Eastern New Mexico scored a run in the seventh to make it 8-7, but it the Greyhounds’ Ryan Pruitt was thrown out at the plate by NSU left fielder Hernandez as Chris Sprick applied the tag to prevent the tying run and secure the win for the RiverHawks.
Tyler Patterson got the win for NSU in relief, his fifth win of the season against four losses.
Eastern New Mexico jumped out to a 3-0 lead third inning of the night cap before NSU came back to score two runs in the fourth.
McKinney homered to open the fourth, his 11th of the season and Hernandez followed a homer, his sixth of the year.
The RiverHawks then grabbed the lead for good with four runs in the fifth after the Greyhounds scored three runs in the top of the fifth.
Clark singled up the middle to open the fifth and Chris Sprick blasted a shot over the right field fence for a 2-run RBI homer, his fifth of the season.
Chad Davidson kept the rally going with a single to right field and McKinney followed with a single to center field. Ringenberger then layed down a sacrifice bunt advancing the runners. Gallegos fouled out and Hernandez then ripped a single up the middle scoring McKinney and Davidson.
The RiverHawks added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI sacrifice fielder’s choice by Hernandez, scoring Davidson, who walked to open the inning.
John Dean picked up the win his second of the season in relief of starter Andrew White. Frank Sprick collected his fourth save when he came in the ninth.
The two clubs will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. at Rousey Field.
NORTHEASTERN STATE 8-7, EASTERN NEW MEXICO 7-6
First game
Eastern New Mexico 140 010 1 – 7 9 1
Northeastern State 000 431 x – 8 9 3
Manning, Sanchez (4), Smith (6) and Pruitt; Ringenberger, Patterson (5), F. Sprick (7) and C. Sprick. HR: E. McKinney (10). W: Patterson (5-4). L: Manning (6-2).
Second game
Eastern New Mexico 011 130 000 – 6 8 0
Northeastern State 000 240 10x – 7 11 2
Campbell, Poiston (6) and Vendrely; White, Dean (7), F. Sprick (9) and C. Sprick. W: Dean (2-0). L: Poiston (1-1). HR: Wolfe (6), E. McKinney (11); A . Hernandez (6), C. Sprick (5).
