Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – Third baseman Kyle Carnahan hit a two-run walk-off homer to lift Washburn to a 6-5 win over the Nebraska-Kearney in the first game of a double header Saturday evening in Topeka, Kan.
 
The Lopers bounced back to win the night cap, 5-3. UNK finishes the regular season 29-19 (22-14) and in a three-way tie for fourth place in the MIAA standings with the Ichabods and Missouri Western State.

The eight-team MIAA Tournament bracket will be released Sunday evening after the completion of all regular season games. UNK will likely be the sixth seed based on tiebreakers.
 
In game one, Kearney got off to a roaring start as senior designated hitter Dillon Schroeder (Kearney Catholic H.S.) belted a three-run shot in the first, his sixth of the year, while senior center fielder Brandon Landanger (2 for 4) smacked a two-run homer in the second. That marked his 11th bomb of the season, tied for second most on the squad.
 
However, Washburn starter Dan Gabler settled down and reliever Han Wellborn (3-3) threw two scoreless innings. UNK was held to three hits, no walks and no runs over the final five innings.
 
The 'Bods also used the long ball on offense, getting a two-run shot from first baseman Tanner Johnson in the fourth and a lead off dinger from catcher David Gauntt in the sixth. Later in that inning, Johnson (2 for 3) delivered a two-out double to left to tie things up.
 
After UNK left a runner on base in its half of the seventh, Washburn center fielder Parker Gibson led off the bottom of the inning with a double to right. He took second on a sac bunt and then Carnahan hit the first pitch he saw over the center field wall for his ninth homer of the year.
 
Senior lefty Aaron Smith (Cheyenne, Wyo.) dropped to 7-2, despite fanning seven and walking none. For the season, he now has 52 K's to just six walks.
 
Despite being out hit in the night cap, 8-7, UNK managed the win thanks to a five-run third. The big inning featured just one Loper hit, a two-run double by junior Connor Messinger (Niwot, Colo.), as Washburn starter Eric Schmid issued four walks.
 
UNK junior Chris Sievers (3-2) got the win as he allowed two earned over six innings. Working around four walks and three hits, he shut out WU for four straight innings.
 
The Washburn ninth was more interesting than the Lopers would've liked as Dylan Turpin smacked a pinch hit homer down the line and then his teammates hit three singles.

On the third base knock, Landanger hit cutoff man Josh Estrada (Pasadena, Texas) who in turned threw home to record the second out of the inning. Finally, junior closer Joe Smidt (North Platte) got a ground out to record his ninth save.