Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Cornhuskers used five different pitchers, and had three different players record two hits apiece, to defeat Nebraska-Kearney, 4-1, Wednesday afternoon at Haymarket Park in Lincoln.

The 'Huskers, on a 17-game home stand, improve to 8-4 while the Lopers fall to 5-7. This marked the seventh time in the last 11 years these teams have met on the baseball diamond.

Junior DH Tommy Barnes (Perry Hall, Md.) recorded two of the Lopers five hits, a leadoff single in the second and a one out double to center in the fourth. That helped him set a new Division II record for consecutive times on base (17).

Going 14 for 14, and drawing three walks, during a stretch that started Saturday at Colorado Christian, Barnes breaks the mark of 15, set by Douglas Hargett of North Alabama in 2002. He grounded out to end the sixth and eighth innings; the Division I record for consecutive times on base is 18.

This afternoon, Barnes was named the Division II National Player of the Week by D2baseballnews.com. Last April, he was named the National Junior College P.O.W. after a four homer game for the McCook C.C. Indians.

UNL recorded nine hits, and drew eight walks, off four UNK pitchers. Scoring a run in the third thanks to three hits and a walk, Nebraska crossed home plate three more times in the sixth inning.
Senior LF Kale Kiser (2 for 3) started the 'Husker sixth with a solo homer and then sophomore CF Ty Kildow drew a walk. After moving to third thanks to a Loper error, he scored on a single to right by freshman RF Austin Darby (2 for 4). Later, Darby came home on a fielder's choice.

Besides Kiser and Darby, senior catcher Sam Stucky went 2 for 3 for Nebraska. On the mound, 6-5 senior right hander Dexter Spitsnogle, a Doane transfer, threw three scoreless innings as did 6-3 junior right hander Ryan Hander (1-0).

UNK's lone run came in the seventh when junior 3b Chase Saxton (Millard West) hit a two out double to left and redshirt freshman LF Brandon Landanger (Kearney H.S.) followed with an RBI single to right.

On the bump, junior Cory Ridenour (Bellevue West) allowed one earned run in three full innings while redshirt freshman Michael Hahn (Fremont) allowed no runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

UNK hosts New Mexico Highlands this weekend at Memorial Field. First pitch Friday is currently scheduled for 3:00 p.m.