Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri Western State baseball team got two strong pitching performances and scored eight runs with two outs to sweep a double header from Nebraska-Kearney, 6-2 and 5-4 (8 innings), Saturday afternoon in St. Joseph.
 
The Griffons improve to 22-17 (15-12) while the Lopers fall to 24-14 (18-9).
 
In game one, MWSU recorded five straight hits after two outs in the second inning to score all but one of its runs. The big blow was a three-run homer by senior centerfielder Ryan Denger.
 
Also the Griffons leadoff hitter, Denger's second hit of the day was a walk off single in the eighth inning of the nightcap. Back-to-back singles put runners at first and third with Denger hitting a 1-0 pitch to right for the win.
 
Junior lefty AJ Martinez didn't get the victory in the second game but fanned seven UNK batters in 5.2 innings. He also shut out the Lopers in four of the first five innings. 
 
Kearney sophomore right fielder Brent Kirsch (Papillion) smacked a two out, three-run triple to tie the game at four in the sixth but was left stranded at third. UNK also left two on in the seventh inning.
 
Junior left fielder Anthony Pacheco (Kearney Catholic H.S.) and Kirsch each went 3 for 4 with the Lopers turning two double plays, including one in the sixth to keep things knotted at four.
 
A southpaw also hurt UNK in game one as senior Banks Born (4-1) tossed a complete game seven-hitter. He didn't walk or strikeout a batter but allowed just six singles and a solo homer by senior Coby Roming (Canyon, Texas).
 
The second baseman finished 2 for 3 and also had UNK's other RBI, a single to left in the seventh. Colorado freshman Mitchell Robinson (4-1) was the tough luck loser, allowing five earned on nine hits in six full innings.
 
MWSU's big second inning featured four straight singles and Denger's homer right down the left field line. That marked his eighth dinger of the spring.
 
Finally for UNK, Kirsch went 2 for 3 from the eight hole.
 
Weather permitting, the series concludes tomorrow with a nine inning game starting at noon.