Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney baseball team rallied from a five-run deficit to win the first game, 12-10, of a double header with Wayne State Friday afternoon at Memorial Field.

The Wildcats (1-3) managed to salvage the final game of the series, winning by a 9-4 score. This was the opening weekend for both teams.

UNK (3-1) found itself down 7-2 after Wayne tallied five in its half of the fourth. The Lopers chipped away at the large hole, scoring three in the fourth and then erupting for five in the fifth to grab the lead back. Kearney had nine hits over these two innings with senior first baseman Andrew Haake (Beatrice) collecting three RBI's.

The lead was short lived, however, as Wayne scored three in the sixth to tie the game at ten. Clean up hitter Mike Bisenius (2 for 4, five RBI's) had a two-run double and then scored the tying run thanks to a UNK error.

The back and forth contest saw the Lopers come back and score two runs in the bottom of the inning on a hit, error, walk, wild pitch and a hit batter.

Senior Jake Kresse (Omaha) worked a 1-2-3 seventh to record his second save of the year. Senior Ricky Muir (Easton, Conn.) earned the win in relief with Kearney southpaw Manny Reinsch tossing a scoreless inning in his first collegiate appearance.

At the plate, UNK had 15 hits with eight starters having at least one. Haake finished 3 for 3 with three RBI's and two runs scored with senior third baseman Luke Valerius (Golden, Colo.) knocking in three runs by going 2 for 3.

Wayne had 12 hits but four errors led to four unearned runs.

In the series finale, UNK had five hits over the first 1 2/3 innings but Wayne sophomore lefty Tadd Johansen settled down after that, getting a key double play to get out of a rough second inning.

Wayne used two hits to score two in the first but the Lopers crossed home plate twice in the second and had two on with one out before Johansen started a 1-6-3 double play. The Elkhorn native allowed just one run, and three hits, between the third and sixth innings. He tossed an 11-hit complete game, fanning four walking and walking one in the process.

Three 'Cats had two hits, led by left fielder Justin Beranek (2 for 2, three RBI's) and leadoff hitter Braulio Acosta (2 for 4, two RBI's.).

Three Lopers collected two hits a piece, including senior designated hitter Tim Urban (Vadnais Heights, Minn.) and senior center fielder Brian Chritz (Arvada, Colo.).

UNK is scheduled to play three games at Missouri Western State next weekend.