Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Junior right hander Trey Ertmer struck out seven and junior third baseman Brent Kirsch drove in five runs as Nebraska-Kearney beat Lincoln, 14-2 (8 innings), Friday afternoon in Jefferson City, Mo.

This was the start of a three-game MIAA series. UNK improves to 2-6 with the Blue Tigers falling to 1-8.

Missing most of last season due to injury, Ertmer (Elizabeth, Ill.) picked up his first win as a Loper by going seven innings. The game ended after eight innings due to the league's 10-run rule.

Ertmer walked just two and gave up four hits with his defense turning inning-ending double plays in the second and third. Junior newcomer Sean Laughlin (Overland Park, Kans.) then struck out the side in the eighth.

At the plate, UNK scored in six different innings and finished with 14 hits. They also took advantage of 10 walks, four wild pitches, two passed balls, two errors and a balk.

From the seven hole, Kirsch (Papillion-LaVista South H.S.) went 2 for 3 with three runs scored. He blasted a two out, three-run homer in the fifth and had a two-run single in the sixth.

Also for the Lopers, senior leadoff hitter Shane Sharkey (2 for 3, four RBI's) hit a three-run homer in the eighth and senior first baseman Connor Messinger (3 for 5, three runs) belted a two-run jack in the first. Finally, junior center fielder Easton Edmund (Lincoln SW) went 3 for 5 with two runs scored.

The series continues tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.