Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – Junior Max Ayoub hit a three-run homer and junior Michael Hahn struck out six to help Nebraska-Kearney beat Northeastern State, 6-3, in the first half of a double header Saturday in Tahlequah, Okla.
 
The RiverHawks (16-20, 12-16) used a six-run sixth to win the night cap, 9-6, and split the four-game series.
 
UNK (21-14, 15-13) fell behind 3-0 in game one as the 'Hawks took advantage of a two out error to score two in the third. A single and walk started the Kearney fourth and then Ayoub (Grand Island) promptly tied the game with a shot over the left field fence. 
 
The Lopers first two batters in the sixth went down in order but the next six reached safely thanks to two singles, two hit batters, a walk and a key outfield error. A wild pitch also helped the three-run inning.
 
Hahn (Fremont) improved to 4-2 by working around five walks, four hits and two wild pitches in 5.1 innings. North Platte sophomore Joe Smidt tossed the last 1.2 innings to record his fifth save.
 
At the plate, sophomore Anthony Pacheco (Kearney H.S.) went 2 for 2 with freshman first baseman Dallas Schramm (Millard North H.S.) 2 for 4.
 
Northeastern State erupted for 15 hits in the second game as they scored one in the third, six in the sixth and two in the eighth.
 
Iowa senior Logan Willard struck out seven in 5.1 innings with three other Lopers coming on in relief. Pacheco, senior DH Jayke Brock (Grand Junction, Colo.) and junior catcher Danny Droll (Penrose, Colo.) had two hits apiece.
 
NSU left fielder David Weber (4 for 5, two runs & two RBI's) and Tyler Wilkins (3 for 5) caused the most damage. The big sixth inning featured four singles, a double, a triple, walk and two UNK errors.
 
UNK hosts Washburn next weekend at Memorial Field.