Kearney, Neb. - True freshman Ethan Poulsen threw a complete game eight-hitter, and senior Andrew Haake drove in three runs, to help the Nebraska-Kearney baseball team defeat Mesa State, 7-3, Sunday afternoon at Memorial Field. 

The Lopers (20-10, 16-6 RMAC) not only salvage the last game of the series but also stop a four-game losing streak. Mean while, the Mavericks fall to 19-11 (17-7 RMAC). Both of these teams sit a top their respecitve divisions in the RMAC.

A 6-0, 180 lbs. right hander from Longmont, Colo., Poulsen (2-2) was in control right from the get go. Blanking the Mavericks for the first three innings, and in seven innings overall, he walked just one while fanning three.

Haake (Beatrice) hit one of the Lopers three sac flys on the day to give UNK 1-0 lead in the third. In the Loper fourth, senior DH Tim Urban (Vadnais Heights, Minn.) scored on a passed ball and then senor OF Patrick Oliver (Broomfield, Colo.) was plunked by Mesa starter Travis Ehlers (3.2 IP, four hits, five walks) to load the bases.

That brought up Haake, who worked Ehlers to a full count. The lefty batter drove an outside pitch to left field for a two-run single that capped the four-run inning.

UNK scored two more in the fifth with Mesa using two hits and a walk to score two in the eighth.

Haake finished 1 for 2 on the day while senior 3b Luke Valerius (Golden, Colo.), batting in the eight hole, went 2 for 4 with two runs scored. For Mesa, Colton Little and Greg Anderson each had two hits.

The Lopers head to Denver next weekend to face Metro State.