RiverHawks Fall After Fifth-Inning Surge by Fort Smith

Despite Lakins' Two Homers, Northeastern State Loses 21-9 in MIAA Play

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:36am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and competing perspectives of a college baseball game, with players' forms broken down into angular, overlapping shapes.A cubist interpretation of the back-and-forth college baseball action between Northeastern State and Arkansas-Fort Smith.Tahlequah Today

Northeastern State saw an early back-and-forth contest slip away after Arkansas-Fort Smith erupted for 15 runs in the fifth inning, handing the RiverHawks a 21-9 loss on Tuesday in MIAA play.

Why it matters

The loss drops Northeastern State's record to 0-2 in conference play, putting them in an early hole in the MIAA standings. Fort Smith's offensive outburst demonstrates their ability to quickly take control of a game.

The details

The RiverHawks and Lions traded runs early, but Fort Smith's 15-run fifth inning proved to be the difference. Northeastern State's Lakins hit two home runs in the losing effort.

  • The game took place on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Northeastern State RiverHawks

The NCAA Division II college baseball team representing Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions

The NCAA Division II college baseball team representing the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

Lakins

A player for the Northeastern State RiverHawks who hit two home runs in the game.

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The takeaway

This game highlights the offensive firepower of the Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions, who were able to quickly take control of the contest with a dominant fifth inning. Northeastern State will need to regroup and find a way to limit big innings by opponents if they hope to turn their season around in MIAA play.