Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney softball team hit three home runs to beat Northeastern State, 9-6, Saturday afternoon in the second game of a double header in Tahlequah, Okla.

The River Hawks (21-11, 8-4) won the first game in five innings, 10-2. Due to expected rainy weather, the games were moved up to a 10:00 a.m. start.

The clubs combined for eight long balls on the day with Grand Island sophomore second baseman Sydney Trosper going yard in both contests. These were her first career collegiate homers.

UNK (5-19, 3-9) got a two-run shot from senior third baseman Sarah Rome (2 for 3) in the second to grab a 2-0 lead in the nightcap. That marked Rome's (Blair) third homer this week.  

However, NSU responded an inning later when sophomore Saharra Henson (2 for 3) belted a three-run dinger to center field. Senior Meagan Robinson (3 for 3) then hit a two-run shot in the fourth.

The Lopers countered with two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings as senior center fielder Mackenzie Tomlin (2 for 4) sophomore DP Erin Dwyer (2 for 4) had RBI doubles. Trosper (1 for 2) then hit a solo homer in the sixth to make it a 7-5 Loper lead.

Thanks to two walks and a double, the 'Hawks loaded the bases in the sixth. Grand Island senior Taryn Tropser did plunk a batter to bring in a run but also got a ground out to end the inning.

She then retired NSU in order in the seventh to record a rare save. Iowa senior Brittnie Kreiser won for the second time in 2014 by throwing three shutout innings.

Finally, Blair sophomore first baseman Kate Ruwe (3 for 4) hit a two-run homer in the seventh to finish the scoring.

Northeastern State saw senior catcher Navada Campos go 2 for 3 with two runs and four RBI's from the eighth spot in the order in game one. She hit three-run homer in the fifth after leading off the fourth with her fourth homer of the year.

Also, junior Alyssa Aguilar went 2 for 2 with three RBI's and sophomore Kayce Woolridge (10-5) threw a complete game two-hitter with five K's and no walks.

UNK is scheduled to host Colorado Christian in a double header Thursday afternoon. Those games were recently added to the schedule.