RiverHawks Gain Split with Missouri Southern State

JOPLIN, MO. – Northeastern State won the second game of a doubleheader 7-2 over Missouri Southern State University  at Kungle Field in eight innings Tuesday in non-conference softball play.

Missouri Southern won the opener 1-0, scoring the game’s only run in the fourth inning.

Northeastern State is now13-27 on the season while the Lions are now 14-28-1.

In the second game the RiverHawks and Lions battled to a 2-2 tie after seven innings of play before Northeastern State exploded for five runs in the eighth inning.

Playing the international rule by placing a runner at second base to open the inning, Lisa Ripperger moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Heskett. Rachel Turner hit an infield singled, but Ripperger held at third. Cayce Coleman then grounded out, and Turner moved to second as Ripperger remained at third. Shelbi Bowin then walked to load the bases. Sydney Chapin followed with a single to right field scoring Turner and Ripperger.

Kelsi Hilderbrandt then singled to center field scoring Bowin for the third run of the inning. Kylie Morton followed with another single, this one to left field plating Hilderbrandt and Chapin.

Cayce Coleman went the distance in picking up the win, scattering seven hits, striking out six and issuing no walks.

MISSOURI SOUTHERN 1-2, NORTHEASTERN STATE 0-7

First Game

Northeastern State 000 000 0 -0 4 2

Missouri Southern 000 100 x – 1 5 1

Craig and Hilderbrandt; Clute and Hasty. W: Clute (6-10). L: Craig (3-12).

Second game

Northeastern State 000 020 05 –7 9 1

Missouri Southern 000 00p1 10 –2 7 0

Coleman and Hilderbrandt; Bennett and Hasty. W: Coleman. L: Bennett (7-11).