By: Madelyn Stephen, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Missouri S&T battled through a competitive doubleheader on Saturday, earning a split against Northeastern State as the Miners dropped the opener 5-3 before responding with a decisive 7-2 victory in game two.
Game 1 – Northeastern State 5, Missouri S&T 3
The Miners were in control early and tied late, but Northeastern State used a two-run sixth inning to pull away in a tightly contested opener.
S&T struck first in the top of the first when Taylor Nelson (Hailey, ID/Phillips Exeter Academy) doubled to plate the game's opening run. After Northeastern State tied the contest in the second, the Miners regained the lead in the fourth on an RBI single from
Keira Jones (Richmond Hill, GA/Richmond Hill) to make it 2-1.
The RiverHawks answered in the fifth to take a 3-2 edge, but the Miners showed resilience in the sixth when
Ty Neal (Enid, OK/Kremlin-Hilldale) launched a solo home run to left field to even the score at 3-3. Northeastern State capitalized in the bottom half with a two-run double that ultimately proved to be the difference.
Five different Miners — Kaylee LaChappell (Oswego, IL/Oswego), Jones,
Morgan Williams (Midland, MI/Midland), Neal, and Nelson — recorded hits, while Jones, Neal, and Nelson each drove in a run. Nelson also drew two walks as S&T worked five free passes in the game and turned a double play defensively.
Game 2 – Missouri S&T 7, Northeastern State 2
The Miners responded in emphatic fashion in the nightcap, riding a dominant performance from Nelson and disciplined plate appearances throughout the lineup.
Nelson drove in four runs on two hits, highlighted by a two-run home run in the first inning that gave S&T an early 2-0 lead. The Miners added three more runs in the second, sparked by a Neal RBI single, a RiverHawk error, and Nelson's sacrifice fly, to seize control of the contest.
S&T continued to apply pressure offensively, finishing with eight walks and executing on the base paths. Claire Lopez (Olathe, KS/Olathe Northwest) and Nelson each tallied two hits out of the back-to-back spots in the order, while LaChappell drew two walks. The Miners were sharp defensively, committing no errors and turning two double plays behind strong pitching.
Tinley Beecham earned the start, and
Mia Miller (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo) delivered 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing no hits and striking out two to secure the win.
What's Next
Missouri S&T is back in action on March 12 as they take on Minnesota Duluth for a doubleheader scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m in Branson, Mo.
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