Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The 9th-ranked Colorado Mesa Mavericks used a two-out rally in the eighth inning to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 6-5, Saturday afternoon in Grand Junction.

This was the season opener for both teams.

UNK grabbed the early 4-0 lead as they had three hits in the top of the fourth, the biggest being a two-run single to right center by junior second baseman Matt Salamon (3 for 4, two runs). However, Mesa countered with a four spot of its own, thanks to three doubles, in the bottom of the inning.

In a game with 19 runners left on base, UNK finally got another key hit when senior shortstop Shane Sharkey (McKinney, Texas) brought home Salamon (Owasso, Okla.) with a single to left in the top of the eighth.

It was then Mesa's turn to have a key hit as they managed back-to-back singles and a double, after two were out, in the bottom of the eighth. Senior leadoff hitter Alex Fife had the game winning hit, a two bagger to right.

The Lopers got the potential tying run on base in the ninth but Mesa's Nick Borowski got a strikeout to pick up the win.  

Right behind Salamon in the order, junior third baseman Brent Kirsch (Papillion) went 2 for 3 with an RBI from the nine hole. On the mound, senior Chris Sievers (Loveland, Colo.) and junior Andrew Riddell (Australia) each fanned two and didn't allow any runs.

The two teams play against tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Central.