Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Designated hitter Barrett Noirfalise and catcher Matt Molbury each drove in three runs to help Central Missouri hold off Nebraska-Kearney, 11-7, Friday evening at Memorial Field.

The Mules (13-7, 10-3) have won five straight while the Lopers (13-7, 7-6) see a four-game streak come to an end.

UCM tallied four in the first, one in the second and four more in the fourth to take a commanding lead. The Lopers did make things interesting by putting a five spot on the board in the fifth but crossed home plate just once over the final four innings.

In the UCM first, Molbury (2 for 4) hit a two out, two-run double to left center. He then took third on one of the Lopers four errors.

The four-run Mule fourth featured five more hits with Noirfalise (2 for 5, three runs) having an RBI base knock to center. He also moved up 90 feet after an errant UNK throw.  

Central Missouri finished with 14 hits, many going up the middle. The did leave 12 runners on base and walked five Lopers.

Kearney got back into the contest by having five of its 12 hits in the fifth. Also taking advantage of a walk and hit batter, junior Danny Droll (2 for 4, two runs) and freshman Josh Kiger (2 for 5) each delivered two-run hits.

However, three UCM relieves combined to allow one earned on four hits over 4.1 innings. Andres Gimeno (1-1) earned the win by fanning three in two full innings.

Leaving nine stranded on the base paths, UNK saw sophomore right fielder Anthony Pacheco (Kearney Catholic H.S.) go 2 for 5 with
Florida senior Alex Sosa allowing no runs in 1.2 innings of relief work.

The two play a double header Saturday starting at noon.