Kearney, Neb. - Junior Andre O'Connor allowed one run over five innings and junior Patrick Oliver came up with a key hit to help the Nebraska-Kearney baseball team win the second game of a double header over Metro State, 6-1, Saturday afternoon at Memorial Field.

The Roadrunners (16-16, 13-8 RMAC) tallied five in the fourth inning of game one to beat the Lopers, 8-3. UNK is now 22-15 (11-11 RMAC) on the year.

A right hander from Prescott Valley, Ariz., O'Connor improved to 6-3 by allowing four hits and one walk over five full innings. Fanning six, the McCook C.C. transfer blanked the 'Runners from the second through fifth innings.

Omaha junior Jake Kresse then came in and threw two scoreless frames.

Metro's Nate Van Bibber (1-2) and Tony Weber were also on, allowing only five hits between them. However, Van Bibber walked five, including four in the third .

With one out in the fateful third, Oliver (Broomfield, Colo.) stepped to the plate. Up to that point, UNK was 2 for 23 at home with the bases loaded. In an odd twist, the team is 13 for 26 on the road with the bases full.

The law of averages finally caught up as Oliver (2 for 2, two runs) slapped a sharp single up the middle, bringing home two. Junior DH Mike Stamp (2 for 2) followed with an RBI single to right center to continue the big inning.

Two batters later, junior 3b Luke Valerius would knock home the fourth run with a ground out to first. On the play, the 'Runners Jordan Stouffer tried for two but, instead, threw the ball into left center to allow Stamp to score.

In game one, Metro's five run inning featured four hits, two walks and one key error.

At the plate, leadoff hitter Chris Redding went 3 for 3 with three runs scored and two RBI's. Starting pitcher Jake Draeger (4-2) and Tyler Hensen then limited UNK to six hits.

The Lopers, who drew six walks from Draeger, twice left the bases loaded. Oliver (2 for 3) and sophomore SS Mike Nowak (2 for 3, two RBI's) led UNK.

The two teams will finish the series tomorrow with a single nine inning game starting at noon.