Texas Trip Good for RiverHawks

STEPHENVILLE, Texas --- Chris Gallegos picked up two hits and Eric McKinney drove in two runs as Northeastern State held on for a 5-4 victory over Tarleton State in Lone Star Conference action at Cecil Ballow Stadium Monday afternoon. The Texans picked up a shutout in the opener, 7-0.

The RiverHawks won three of the four games to run their season record to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in league action. Tarleton saw its season mark evened at 4-4, but is 1-3 in LSC play.

Gallegos had a single and double in the nightcap for Northeastern State. McKinney, who also doubled for his only hit in four plate appearances, picked up two RBI in a four-run third inning to put the RiverHawks in front for good at 4-2. Angel Hernandez also doubled in the frame to score McKinney and Gallegos picked up the other RBI with his double as well.

Cale Replogle's single up the middle scored Tyler Brewer in the top of the 7th for a 5-2 advantage. However, the Texans plated a run in the bottom of the inning and threatened to do more damage.

Andrew White (2-0), who pitched 6 2/3 innings, got the first two Tarleton hitters out of fly balls to center before hitting a batter and surrendering a double. He was lifted for Keith Head who gave up a wild pitch to score the Texans' runner, but got a groundout to end the threat.

Head also gave up an unearned run in the eighth as Tarleton edged closer, 5-4. The RiverHawks committed two errors in the stanza which led to the run. But, with runners at second and third with two outs, Noah Ringenberger closed the door with a flyout to keep Northeastern State in front.

After a scoreless RiverHawks 9th, Jason Travis earned his first save of the year although he gave up two singles, but got three fly balls to record the save.

Tarleton State picked up eight hits to Northeastern State's five hits in the contest.

The opener belonged to the Texans from the start. Mike Ramirez tossed a complete game five-hitter with seven strikeouts and only one walk.

McKinney had two hits for the RiverHawks, while Replogle, Kyle Bayles and David Zavala each had a single.

TSU plated two run in the first, added a run each in the second and third before putting up two more in the fourth for an insurmountable 6-0 lead.  The RiverHawks failed to get a runner past second base on the right-hander who won for the second time in as many starts.

Shay Colburn took the loss and fell to 0-2.

Northeastern State will host Missouri Southern in a single 9-inning game Tuesday, Feb. 16, beginning at 1 p.m. at Rousey Field. The RiverHawks will resume LSC action on Friday and Saturday with a four-game series with Southeastern.

Tarleton State 7-4, Northeastern State 0-5

Tarleton State 7, Northeastern St. 0 (Game 1)
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Northeastern St ... 000 000 0 -  0   5  1      (3-4, 2-1 LSC)
Tarleton State......  211 201 X  - 7 11  0      (4-3, 1-2 LSC)
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Northeastern St. - Shay Colburn; Adam Hibdon (5) and Chris Sprick; Tarleton State - Mike Ramirez and Andrew Kapple. Win-M. Ramirez (2-0)  Loss-Shay Colburn (0-2)

Northeastern St. 5, Tarleton State 4 (Game 2)
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Northeastern St.... 004 000 100  -  5  6  3      (4-4, 3-1 LSC)
Tarleton State......  200 000 110  -  4  8  2      (4-4, 1-3 LSC)
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Northeastern St. - Andrew White; Keith Head (7); Noah Ringenberger (8); Jason Travis (9) and Chris Sprick. Tarleton State - Brandon Van Riper; Kenneth Stockton (3); Nathan Lewis (8) and Mark Jeffery. Win-Andrew White (2-0)  Save-Jason Travis (1)  Loss-Brandon Van Riper (0-1)