Joplin, Mo. -- The 15th ranked Missouri Southern baseball team scored six runs over the first two innings and held on to defeat Northeastern State in non-conference action today at Warren Turner Field. 

The Lions (5-0) got a 3-3 performance at the plate from Chris Hoffman as the senior drove in two and scored once. Richie Gorski went 2-5 with two runs scored, while Jesse Rall drove in a run ans scored once. Matt Smith and Danny Bigs scored a run each. 

Cody Hutchinson started and went six innings to move to 2-0 on the season. He struck out five in the game. Zach Litchen threw three innings for the save, striking out four, walking none and allowing just one hit. 

NSU (5-3) had single hits from seven different players. 

The Lions picked up two runs in the first when Hoffman drove in Gorski on a sacrifice fly after Gorski had led off the inning with a triple. Rall would score an unearned run in the inning. 

NSU scored four runs in the top of the second, but the Lions answered back with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Rall, Hoffman, Joe Paulino and Tyler Sutherland had RBIs in the inning. 

The RiverHawks added a lone run in the fifth, but Litchen was strong over the final three innings to seal the victory. 

Southern will be back in action this weekend, playing host to McKendree in a three-game set. First pitch on Friday is slated for 2 pm.