UAFS collected nine hits off five of the eight Northeastern State pitchers during Tuesday's nonconference game, but the Lions couldn't deliver the big hit they needed or cool down the RiverHawks' red-hit bats.
UAFS had just one extra-base hit and left 12 runners on base – seven runners in scoring position – and Northeastern State collected a combined 16 hits off six UAFS pitchers on its way to a 10-1 win in the first of four spring break games for the Lions at Crowder Field.
The Lions (13-7), who played without three starters because of injuries, will begin Heartland Conference play this weekend when they host the Lubbock Christian Chaps in a three-game series at Crowder Field, weather-permitting.
A double-header is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday with one nine-inning game set for 1 p.m. on Saturday.
UAFS center fielder
Brandan Warner was 3 for 4 with a double and scored the Lions' only run in the fifth inning when he doubled and scored on a rarely-seen interference call at third base. First baseman
Trent Powell, who was this week's Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week, was 3 for 5.
Northeastern State starter Trevor Smith (1-4), who was the first of eight RiverHawks pitcher, earned the win, allowing no runs on one hit with one strikeout over a predetermined two-inning outing.
Lions starter
Zach Burch (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing two earned runs on one hit with three walks and one strikeout over two-plus innings. Burch's successors allowed eight runs on 15 hits with three walks and four strikeouts, but they were the victim of three errors that lead to only one of their eight runs being earned.
One costly two-out error in the top of the seventh inning allowed the RiverHawks (4-21) to break the game open with seven unearned runs, turning a 3-1 game into a 10-1 game.
RiverHawks right fielder Alex Massie was 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs, shortstop Erick Espinosa was 3 for 5, left fielder Gabe Simons was 1 for 1 with two RBIs, first baseman Michael Conn was 1 for 4 with one RBI, second baseman Jaxon Phipps was 2 for 6 with one RBI, center fielder Blake Freeman was 1 for 5 with one RBI and third baseman Brad Chronister was 2 for 4 with one RBI.
NORTHEASTERN STATE 10, UAFS 1
Northeastern State 002 100 700 -- 10 16 1
UAFS 000 010 000 -- 1 9 3
Smith, Key (3), Warren (4), Husband (5), Rains (5), Browne (7), Hestand (8), Callison (9) and Wright; Burch, Horn (3), Ross (6), Heil (7), Lindley (7), Graves (8) and Hurt, Sample (9). W – Smith, 1-4. L – Burch, 1-1. HRs – NSU, Massie (3).
