TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (23-16, 11-15 MIAA) couldn't hang on as Northeastern State (17-21, 11-15 MIAA) rallied from a 9-2 deficit to even the series with a 10-9 game on Saturday.
 
The RiverHawks got on the board first as they pushed across two runs in the home half of the first inning thanks to a two-run blast over the left field fence.
 
The Hillcats answered back in the top of the second as they tied it up with two runs of their own. Jorge Martinez drove in Gavin Mestas with a single up the middle. Ramon Torres scored Jake Mitchell from third as he grounded out to the third baseman.
 
RSU took their first lead in the top of the sixth at 3-2 as Mitchell brought in Geovanni Blackshaw from second.
 
They exploded for six runs in the seventh and pushed out to a 9-2 lead. Torres scored from third on a passed ball. Jesse Holguin then plated Carson Cheatwood with a single through the left side of the infield. On the first pitch he saw with one out, Gavin Mestas unloaded on pitch sending it soaring over the right field wall for a grand slam, driving in Prescott Horn, Holguin and Blackshaw.
 
NSU responded in the bottom half and cut the deficit to 9-6 with four runs of their own. The first run scored on a throwing error by the right fielder. A three-run shot to right scored the other three runs.
 
The RiverHawks tacked on two more runs in the eighth to pull within one at 9-8. A RBI single up the middle and a double to left center plated the runs.
 
After holding RSU scoreless in the top of the ninth, NSU tied the game at 9-9 with a bases loaded walk. Following a strikeout to the next batter, the RiverHawks walked the game off with another bases loaded walk after a seven-pitch at-bat.
 
Javier Sanchez (2-1) earned the win. Nate Wohlgemuth (2-2) took the loss.
 
The two teams will face off in the rubber match tomorrow in Claremore as the Hillcats honor their nine seniors in the final home game of the regular season. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.