Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney softball team scored five runs in the fifth and sixth innings and took advantage of five errors to rally past Concordia-St. Paul, 11-10, Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.

The Lopers finished the weekend with a 3-2 record at the 7th Annual Desert Stinger Tournament as they fell to Minot State from North Dakota, 8-3, in an earlier game Sunday.

The CU Golden Bears (1-4) tallied four in its half of the second, and added two more in the third, to grab a 6-1 lead. UNK countered with a five spot in the fifth, highlighted by a three-run homer from senior first baseman Kate Ruwe (Blair).  

The big inning also featured two Concordia errors and three walks. The Golden Bears quickly came back, scoring three in the top of the sixth with two runs scoring on a homer by shortstop Justine Schattner.  

Another five-run Loper at bat followed, making the score 11-9. The Kearney sixth featured five hits, two errors, a walk and a wild pitch. Among the hits was a two-run single to left from senior centerfielder Paige Hamelin (Payson, Ariz.).

Concordia didn't go quietly, however, starting the top of the seventh with back-to-back doubles. A wild pitch then moved the potential tying run to third. With no outs, catcher Elena Koncar hit a ground ball to junior shortstop Halle Gydesen (Lexington), who threw home to record a huge out.

Sophomore Meg Housholder (Parker, Colo.) recorded a rare save by getting the next two Golden Bears to fly out to left. In relief, California senior Nicole Larsen earned her first Loper win, fanning five and walking none over four innings.

An 11-hit attack was led by Ruwe (3 for 4) and leadoff hitter Rebecca Wyatt (2 for 5, two runs).

Against Minot, the Lopers were blanked over the final four innings by relief pitcher Alyssa Cornejo. She also was 2 for 4 with three RBII's.

UNK tallied single runs in each of the first three innings but the Beavers (3-2) countered with a two-run sixth and a three-run seventh. Wyatt (Glendale, Ariz.) went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and senior third baseman Makenzi Dallas (Phoenix, Ariz.) was 2 for 3 with an RBI.

The Lopers have another long trip next weekend, heading to Arkansas for the annual 8-State Classic in Bentonville.