Lions Take Two

JOPLIN, Mo.  ---  Northeastern State (OK) continued to struggle on Thursday evening, dropping a pair of games to Missouri Southern at Gene Wild Field.  Despite a four-run second inning, the RiverHawks allowed the Lions to rally for a 6-4 victory in the opener, while falling 4-1 in the nightcap.

The RiverHawks fall to 9-33 on the year, while the Lions improve to 17-30.

After falling behind 2-0 after the first inning of play, Northeastern State came roaring back in the second inning.  The RiverHawks exploded for four runs and five hits in the frame.  Kaylee Moody's single plated two runs, Shaelyn Moore's single scored another and Moody crossed the plate on a wild pitch to take a 4-2 lead.

The lead did not last long as MSSU pounded out four hits and plated two runs to tie the game at 4-4 and took the lead for good in the sixth inning with two more runs to capture the 6-4 victory.

Northeastern State's Amy Derichsweiler took the loss and fell to 2-11 on the year.  Brandy Kimberlin and Shelbi Bowin each picked up two hits apiece in the loss.

The nightcap brought about more frustration as the RiverHawks only mustered six hits off MSSU starter Whitney Clute.  Northeastern State's only run came in the fifth inning on a Megan Heskett sacrifice fly that scored Melissa Simms who doubled earlier in the frame.

MSSU gave Clute early run support with two in the first, one in the fourth and one more in the fifth to secure the 4-1 victory.

The RiverHawks will say goodbye to the 2009 season on Saturday as Midwestern State comes to RiverHawks Park in the season finale for both schools. First pitch is set for  1:00 p.m.