Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior Brenton Higgins threw 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up his fifth save as Emporia State held off Nebraska-Kearney, 5-4, Sunday in Kansas.

The Hornets (16-9, 12-8) won the final two games to split the series with the Lopers (17-10, 11-9.).

Scoring an unearned run in the first, Emporia erupted for four in the sixth as a single, walk and hit batter loaded the bases. Junior catcher Tory Bell followed with a two-run double to right center and then junior outfielder Justin Harris (2 for 3) hit a two-run single.

UNK tried to come back, getting a two-run homer from junior center fielder Brandon Landanger (Kearney H.S.) in the eighth. Junior second baseman Coby Roming (Canyon, Texas) followed with a double and scored on a single to center by junior third baseman Danny Droll (2 for 3).

Higgins came in soon after, getting a strikeout and ground out to end the inning. He gave up another single in the ninth but retired the final three Lopers in order, the last via strikeout.

Senior Dakota McKaskie (3-1) earned the win for the Hornets, allowing three earned over seven innings. He fanned five and didn't walk a batter while giving up six hits.

Besides Droll, sophomore right fielder Anthony Pacheco (Kearney Catholic H..S) went 2 for 4 for UNK.

The Lopers host Missouri Western next weekend.