TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Rogers State baseball team lost for the first time of 2016, falling 10-3 at Northeastern State on Tuesday at Rousey Field.
 
The RiverHawks jumped on the Hillcats early with a three-run home run in the first inning. The homer to right field put NSU up 3-0 after one inning.
 
RSU responded with two runs in the second inning to cut the deficit to 3-2. With the bases loaded, Garrett Hall put the Hillcats on the board with a ground ball to second base allowing a run to score from third. Hall was safe as first due to an error by the RiverHawk infielder. A second error by NSU brought in the second run of the inning as Zack Ashford scored after a miscue by the NSU outfield.
 
A single to left field added to NSU's lead pushing the margin to 4-2 in the third inning. The RiverHawks added two runs in the fourth inning on a wild pitch and then a throwing error for a 6-2 score. NSU pulled away with four runs in the eighth inning. A double down the line brought in the first run of the inning. Another run scored on a ground out, and an infield single made it 9-2. The final RiverHawk run came on a fielder's choice.
 
Trailing by eight in the ninth, RSU tried to rally with three straight hits. After back-to-back singles from Ismael Orozco and Ashford, Samuel Davison doubled to left field to score Orozco for a 10-3 score with only one out. NSU made a pitching change and got two strikeouts to end the game.
 
Orozco went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. Davison, Hall and Danny Donoghue each had one RBI.
 
Michael Fusselman (1-1) got the start and went 3.0 innings. He allowed four runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Andrew Lucio came in for relief for 1.0 inning and allowed only one hit and one earned run. Justin Magstadt provided 3.0 innings of relief and gave up only one hit. Brock Knoten and Brooks Owen combined to pitch 1.0 inning.
 
The Hillcats (5-1) return home for one game on Friday (Feb. 12) against Bacone College. The nine-inning game starts at 1 p.m. with coverage available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.