NSU's Walch Dominates, Knight Walks Off In Sweep Of UCO

The Northeastern State baseball team won both games of a home midweek doubleheader against Central Oklahoma Tuesday at Thomas C. Rousey Field.

The RiverHawks (11-7, 11-7 MIAA) recorded a 4-0 shutout in the first game and defeated the Bronchos (9-6, 9-6 MIAA) 10-7 in walk-off fashion in the second. The first victory snapped UCO's six-game win streak, while the second win pushed NSU's current win streak to five.

NSU 4, UCO 0

The RiverHawks earned their first shutout of the season in the first game of the series. NSU had just one shutout all of last year, which was a 16-0 triumph over Clarke University (March 9, 2012).

Sophomore pitcher Hayden Walch (2-3) threw the first 6.0 innings and only allowed four hits. He struck out four and walked one to earn the victory. His brother Trevor came on in the seventh and picked up his first save of the season. He allowed two base runners, but Dilon Argo grounded out to junior Manny Marmol at third base to end the game.

Senior Chad Davidson led the NSU bats with a 3-for-4 performance. Sophomore David Weber scored three runs despite going just 1-for-2 at the plate. He was never walked, but he was hit by two pitches and reached once on an error.

He was hit by the first pitch of the game thrown by UCO starter Landon Hallam. Following a single from Davidson and a groundout by senior Kegan Knight, Weber found himself standing on third base. A fielder's choice RBI from senior Trent Wilkins plated Weber, but the next two batters struck out as NSU ended the first with a 1-0 edge.

Both teams were held scoreless over the next two innings, but Weber yet again found his way home in the fourth. Central Oklahoma recorded the first two outs of the inning in quick fashion, but Weber was hit by the first pitch he saw and went to second on a single from Davidson that capped off an eight-pitch at-bat. Knight singled to center to plate Weber and give his team a 2-0 advantage.

Senior Gavin Johnson doubled to jump-start the bottom of the sixth, and Weber reached base on an error. They both scored in the frame to put NSU on top 4-0, and the Bronchos could not answer in the final frame.

Hallam (1-2) took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings. He was able to fan seven RiverHawks, while issuing just one free pass. Hunter Wood, Mikel Beltran and Mason Justice all threw in relief.

Central Oklahoma mustered just four hits in the contest, and Matt Malloy was 2-for-3 at the plate.

NSU 10, UCO 7

Knight hit a three-run walk-off home run in the second game of the series. The round-tripper was his third of the season.

He finished with four runs batted in and the final run scored of the contest. NSU outhit the Bronchos 11-9 and had four members of the squad record two hits. Davidson and Wilkins both scored twice, while senior Jordan Dallalio and junior Ryan Staggs both drove home two.

Central Oklahoma plated the first run of the game in the first inning. Tyler Crabtree reached base via an infield error to lead off the game. He later scored on a sacrifice fly from Jared Wright.

Staggs homered in the second to cap a three-run second for the home team, but the Bronchos answered right back with a five-run third to take a 6-3 lead.

Despite trailing by three runs, the RiverHawks began to chip away at the lead.

The first two responses were tacked on in the fourth, when Dallalio drove home Wilkins and sophomore Tyler Wilkins plated sophomore Preston Cash.

Davidson tied the game in the fifth after a double down the left-field line from Knight, but a Crabtree homer in the eighth allowed UCO to regain the lead momentarily.

The one-run deficit heading into the bottom of the ninth set the stage for the walk-off win. Junior Kyle Singleton hit a one-out single, and Weber reached base due to an error from the shortstop. Davidson tied the game with a single through the left side that plated Singleton, and Knight took the first pitch he saw over the left-field wall to kick off the celebration.

Sophomore Dymin Morillo started for Northeastern State but lasted just 2.1 innings. He gave up five runs on five hits and took a no-decision. The RiverHawks burned through six more pitchers before junior Addison Williams (3-1) recorded the final out of the game to earn the win. Sophomore T.J. Foster threw 3.2 innings in relief and gave up no runs and just one hit.

Joe Hollowell started on the mound for UCO but last just 1.2 innings. He did not allow a hit, but he gave up two runs. Jamie McClure and Ethan Sharp were both used in relief, but Jack Tuck (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing Knight's game winner.

Northeastern State has a scheduled three-game set with Missouri Western State University set for March 16-17 in St. Joseph, Mo. The first day will be a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.