Kearney, Neb. - Junior Brian Chritz hit a crisp single up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift Nebraska-Kearney to a 7-6 win over Metro State Sunday afternoon at Memorial Field.

By manufacturing a win today, UNK (23-15, 12-11 RMAC) took three of four from the Roadrunners (16-17, 13-9 RMAC) this weekend.

Over the first six innings, the Lopers were being shut out by Bradshaw Perry. The 'Runners starting shortstop for the first three games of the weekend, he fanned eight in seven innings, including five in a row at one point. He finally walked a batter in the seventh and, thanks to a double steal, UNK managed to score a run in that inning.

It was tough for the Lopers to cross home plate all game. Besides the delayed double steal, UNK scored a run on a balk, wild pitch and a ground ball double play with the bases loaded.

Despite the offensive struggles, UNK was poised for a 4-3 win as a single by junior 2b Jordan Mitchelhill (3 for 6) in the bottom of the eighth gave the Lopers its first lead of the day.

However, Metro scored three runs in the top of the ninth off UNK closer Ricky Muir (Easton, Conn.), who was going for a school-record eighth save. With two outs and runners on first and second, David Kaplan tied things up with a seeing eye single to left.

Third baseman Jason Trimble then delivered a line drive to center that junior Ben Townsend (Kearney) almost caught. Instead of a diving catch, the play resulted in a two-run double.

Against Metro closer Ross MacDonald, UNK's first three batters reached in the ninth via two walks and a single. A double play ball did bring a run home and then a wild pitch from MacDonald forced extra innings.

With two outs inn the Kearney tenth, Mitchelhill (Melbourne) -- UNK's lead off hitter -- hit a grounder down the third base line that Trimble fielded cleanly. Trimble's throw likely would've recorded the final out but, instead, the ball went off Jordan Stouffer's glove.

A wild pitch moved Mitchelhill to second and then Chritz (1 for 6), a left fielder, delivered the winning hit.

UNK hosts Colorado Mines next weekend in a three-game series.