Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4 Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney softball team went 3-5 at the 7-State Classic this past weekend in Bentonville, Ark.

After no-hitting Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), 3-0, the Lopers beat Southwestern Oklahoma State, 8-6 (10), and Oklahoma Panhandle State, 8-2, in back-to-back games.

Besides falling to tourney host Arkansas-Monticello, UNK fell to MIAA rivals Fort Hays State and Missouri Western State as well as D2 newcomers Southern Nazarene (Okla.) and Illinois-Springfield.

The Lopers are now 3-7 on the season.

Against the SWOSU Bulldogs, UNK led 3-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh. The 'Dawgs forced extra innings thanks to an error, sac bunt and RBI single.

The Lopers seemingly had the game wrapped up when they tallied three in the top of the ninth. Two errors, as well as two singles and two steals, led to the big inning.

But, SWOSU came back once again, scoring three in the bottom of the inning. This time, catcher Kailen Clemm hit a two out, two-run homer to force another tie.

UNK finally closed the door in the 10th as freshman first baseman Katie Ruwe (Blair) and junior center fielder Whitney Frederick (2 for 5) had RBI's.

Bennington junior Bailey Backhuus went the distance, allowing four earned on nine hits and two walks. She also fanned five.

The win over the Panhandle Aggies saw the Lopers grab a 3-0 lead after two innings. UNK then scored two more in the fourth and add three in the top of the seventh before OPSU finally broke through in its last at bat.

Junior center fielder Mackenzie Tomlin went 3 for 5 from the lead off spot with Ruwe and sophomore SS Mallory Noakes each knocking in a pair of runs. Senior Becky Dunn earned her second win of the tournament by throwing six scoreless.