The Riverside softball team secured the Northeast Kansas League title in 2026 after sweeping defending 2-1A State Champs Oskaloosa on Thursday 3-2 & 7-5. 

We had game one on 103.9 KNZA and it was a good one. 

Two great pitchers and timely hitting on both sides, but it was the Cyclones who had just one more key play in game one. 

Riverside scored the first run of the game in the second inning on a home run off the bat of Mia Jackson. 

Oskaloosa would tie the game at 1-1 in the third inning on an RBI triple from Lydia Turner. 

The game stayed 1-1 into the sixth inning, and that's when the Cyclones would retake the lead. Kennedy Griffin provided an RBI triple which was followed up by Rory Stewart with an RBI single. 

Bears would get within 3-2 in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Harper Heston. Heston would find her way to third base with two outs, but Michaela Berry struck out to end the game. 

Jackson pitched all seven innings for Riverside and gave up two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. 

Lily Pullen pitched all seven innings for Oskaloosa and gave up just four hits with 11 strikeouts. 

By sweeping the Bears, Riverside secures the NEKL title as they finished league play with a record of 17-1. Oski sits with a 14-2 league record and will close out league play against Pleasant Ridge on Friday.