Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior Kirstie Hitt threw her third career complete game shut out to power Nebraska-Kearney over Colorado Christian, 7-0, Thursday afternoon in the first round of the RMAC Tournament in Denver.

The fifth-seeded Lopers (25-22) stay in the winner's bracket and will play again Friday at 11:00 a.m. Central against eight-seed Colorado Mesa. The Mavericks (25-20) upset top-seed Colorado School of Mines, 4-0, this afternoon in Golden. 

On the other side of the bracket, seventh-seeded Regis upset two-seed CSU-Pueblo, 2-1, with third-seeded Fort Lewis scoring two in the bottom of the sixth to edge sixth-seeded Metro State, 3-2.

Hiatt (14-10), a McCook native, allowed just eight hits and no walks while fanning three over seven full innings. Her previous complete game shut outs both game against Adams State (in 2010 and 2011).

Christian's Genevieve Reyna (15-14) blanked UNK for the first three innings before the Lopers tallied six runs after two outs in the fourth.

Thanks to two infield singles and a hit batter, Kearney loaded the bases. Senior RF Allie Frost (Valley), from the ninth spot in the order, promptly unloaded them with a double to right center. Senior CF Austin Wilson (McCook) followed with her fifth homer of the year, a shot to left center.

Later, senior 2b Ali Seberger (2 for 4) delivered an RBI single to cap the outburst. Overall, UNK had nine hits with sophomore LF Whitney Frederick (Blair) going 3 for 4 from the two hole.

Christian (28-26), a first-year program, plays again this afternoon against Mines. The tournament webpage can be found HERE

Also, UNK is now ranked eighth in the Central Region; the top eight teams make the NCAA Tournament May 4-6. The selection for the 64-team NCAA field will be announced Monday, April 30th, at 9:00 a.m. Central.

The Lopers can make its first NCAA appearance since 2000 by winning the RMAC tourney (automatic bid) or by possibly making it into the tourney finals. Click HERE to see the rankings.