CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (18-15, 9-12 MIAA) dropped a 10-4 game to Northeastern State (18-18, 9-12 MIAA) to open the three-game series on Friday.
 
The RiverHawks got on the board with a 1-0 lead in the first inning as a run scored from third on a wild pitch.
 
After two scoreless innings, the Hillcats answered back and tied things at 1-1. On a 1-0 pitch, Ryan Tiger launched a ball that left the yard in the left field corner for a solo bomb.
 
NSU responded in the bottom half as they pushed across three runs to go back up 4-1. A throwing error by the pitcher scored the first run from second. A sacrifice fly to center followed by a RBI single down the right field line scored the other two runs.
 
They added another insurance run in the sixth to push out to a 5-1 lead with a single through the right side of the infield plating the run.
 
The RiverHawks broke the game open in the top of the eighth as they scored four runs to take a 9-1 advantage. The first run scored from second during a pick off attempt of a runner at first. Back-to-back singles scored the next two runs with the final run coming in on a wild pitch.
 
RSU tried to mount a comeback in the bottom half of the frame but were only able to get three runs to cut the deficit to 9-4. AJ Folds unloaded on a 2-2 pitch, sending it careening over the right field wall and plating Matthew Schure. Matthew Delgado later drove in Jake Mitchell with a single.
 
NSU put up one final run in the ninth to seal the 10-4 win as the run scored from third on a 4-3 double play.
 
CJ Briley (5-2) earned the win. Blake Johnson (2-3) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will look to even the series tomorrow as they travel to Tahlequah, Okla. for game two. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.