TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (19-20, 12-13 MIAA) fell 9-8 in the series opener to Northeastern State (27-12, 16-9 MIAA) on Thursday.

The Hillcats wasted little time as took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Jesse Holguin drove in Gavin Mestas with a RBI groundout to the shortstop.

The RiverHawks responded in the bottom of the second taking a 2-1 lead. Both runs scored on a two RBI double to center field.

RSU exploded for five runs in the top of the fifth to retake the advantage 6-2. Carson Cheatwood got things started as he scored on error by the pitcher. Holguin again plated Mestas with a RBI single through the right side of the infield. Skyler Nelson returned the favor with a two run blast over the right field wall bringing in Holguin. Joel Escalante capped off the scoring by crossing home on an error by the shortstop.

NSU got a run back in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to 6-3 with a RBI sacrifice fly to right. They then tied the game 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth with three runs coming on a two run and solo homers back-to-back.

The RiverHawks went back up 9-6 in the bottom of the seventh with three more runs. The first run came in on a RBI single up the middle, with the other two runs coming on a two RBI single up the middle.

The Hillcats tried to mount a comeback in the top of the ninth as Prescott Horn launched a two run shot to left that scored A.J. Folds and cut the lead to 9-8, but that would be as close as they would get.

Dakodah Jones (1-1) earned the win, with Jake Bigham (5) earning the save. Jordan Ewig (5-4) took the loss.

The Hillcats will look to rebound in game two tomorrow as the series comes to the Diamond Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.