Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Junior Max Ayoub hit a Grand Slam and junior reliever Aaron Smith threw a season-high 6.2 innings as Nebraska-Kearney outlasted Pittsburg State, 8-6 in 13 innings, Saturday in Kansas.

By rallying from a 6-0 deficit, the Lopers (27-16, 21-15) took three of four from the Gorillas (16-30, 11-25) this weekend.

With one regular season series remaining, UNK is now tied with Washburn for fifth place in the MIAA standings. The top eight teams make the league tournament with the top four squads hosting a three-game first round series May 1-3

Pitt starter Jake Stevenson shut out Kearney for the first six innings. Before leaving, he fanned two and gave up just five hits.

The Gorillas scored two in the fourth, one in the fifth and three more in the sixth to seemingly take a comfortable lead. However, UNK cross home plate six times in the seventh thanks to three hits, two hit batters and one error.

The first three Lopers in the seventh reached safely before the Gorilla mistake brought home two runs. After two outs were recorded, sophomore right fielder Anthony Pacheco (Kearney Catholic H.S.) was plunked to load the bases for the second time in the inning.

Ayoub (Grand Island) promptly unloaded them with his team-leading sixth homer of the year.

Both teams had plenty of chances to score over the next five innings, UNK leaving the bases full in the 11th and the Gorillas doing the same in the 12th. Finally, in the Loper 13th, another Pitt error allowed the go-ahead run to score. Pacheco then hit a sac fly to add some insurance.

Overall, freshman third baseman Brent Kirsch (Papillion) had another big effort, going 3 for 6 with a run with fellow first=year player Josh Kiger (Papillion) finishing 2 for 6.

Smith (Cheyenne, Wyo.) was one of four Loper pitchers to see action. He went the final 6.2 innings to move to 5-1 on the spring. Doing some serious Yeoman's work, he struck out five and walked just one while allowing four hits and no runs.

His previous season-high inning total was 4.2 at Emporia State in March. The Scottsdale College transfer has now gone 12.1 innings without allowing a single run.

Missouri Southern State (23-22, 16-20) visits Memorial Field next weekend.