Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – Senior Dalton Cowen made a triumphant return and sophomore designated hitter Dallas Schramm had a two-run double to help Nebraska Kearney hold off Metro State in the first game of a double header, 5-3, Friday afternoon in Denver.

The Roadrunners won the night cap, 3-2. This was the season opener for both teams and the first-ever games held at the new Regency Athletic Complex.

Cowen (Gillette, Wyo.) was one of UNK's top starting pitchers in 2014, going 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA. However, his season ended in March due to injury.

The well-rested right hander didn't miss a beat as he allowed no earned runs over 6.2 innings to pick up the win. Cowen held Metro hitless for the first five innings and only a throwing error allowed the 'Runners to score twice in the seventh.

The Lopers, who scored single runs in the first, second and fifth innings, pushed its lead back to three when Schramm (Millard North H.S.) delivered a two out, two-run double to left in the eighth.

Metro used a double and sac fly to score in the bottom of the inning but junior closer Joe Smidt (North Platte) closed the door in the ninth, working around a two-out error.

At the plate for UNK, Grand Island senior catcher Max Ayoub went 3 for 4 from the cleanup spot with three-hole hitter Anthony Pacheco (Kearney Catholic H.S.) 2 for 4 with two runs.

Pacheco remained hot as he hit a two-run homer to right in the first inning of game two, a seven inning affair. However, Metro senior right hander Mike Thill allowed just two more hits to earn the complete game win.

On the bump for UNK, true freshman Mitchell Robinson (Golden, Colo.) and junior Chayse Gulzow (Grand Island) combined to throw a four hitter with Metro scoring twice in its half of the sixth to pull out the win.

Senior catcher Daryl Baca, a two-time All-Region selection, belted a two-run homer to left to provide the winning margin. Sophomore shortstop Jake Thurston, batting ninth, began the inning with a double to left center.

Weather permitting, the clubs will play a nine inning game tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Central