Kearney, Neb. - Junior right hander Bret Mitchell threw a complete game 10-hitter and the Minnesota State baseball team scored six runs over the final three innings to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 6-1, in an NCAA Tournament first round game Thursday afternoon in Farmington, N.M.

The Lopers (36-19), the fifth seed in the Central Region, will play Friday at noon against top-seed New Mexico Highlands. The Cowboys were stunned by St. Cloud State, 11-2, on Thursday night.

Live stats for all regional games are available at www.nmhucowboys.com.

Today's game was a pitching duel as Mitchell (10-3) and UNK senior Jared Loschen (9-5) each threw five innings of scoreless ball.

Both teams got the scoreboard going in the sixth as the Loper junior 3b Luke Valerius (2 for 4) reached on a throwing error. Two batters later, junior 1b Andrew Haake (Beatrice) hit a single to right to bring home Valerius. See the RBI single HERE.

No. 29 Minnesota State (41-13) responded quickly as shortstop Zach Rowles lead off the bottom of the inning with a seeing eye double down the left field line. After being sacrificed over, Rowles scored on a ground out to short.

The Mavericks then broke the game open in the seventh. With one out and runners at first and second, the Lopers committed two errors on a ground ball that could've been an inning ending double play.

In the bottom of the eighth, MSU scored three insurance runs thanks to three straight hits, two going for extra bases.

"You got to tip your cap to their pitcher. He threw very well," said UNK head coach Damon Day. "We had our opportunities at the plate but couldn't get the job done. And in an NCAA regional game, you have to be solid on defense and we made some critical mistakes in the seventh."

Mitchell struck out six and didn't walk a batter. UNK actually out hit Mankato, 10-9, but stranded 10 runners on base. Over the last five games, the Lopers have stranded 56 runners.

Second baseman Matt Kuchenbecker went 3 for 4 to lead the Mavs while junior RF Patrick Oliver went 3 for 4 to pace the Loper offense.  In a losing effort, Loschen struck out eight and walked one while allowing only three earned runs.