Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Central Missouri Mules scored 11 runs over the first two innings to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 12-5, Friday afternoon in Warrensburg.
 
This was the series opener between two of the three teams that were tied for first place in the MIAA with 7-2 records.
 
UCM (10-7) had eight of its 12 hits in the first and second innings. Three of those knocks were back-to-back-to-back homers in the second.

Leftfielder Derek Cornell started the homer streak with a Grand Slam to right. Third baseman Cole Distler and second baseman Matt Safranek (2 for 3, three RBI's) followed with solo shots.
 
Illinois junior Trey Ertmer (3-2) settled down from there, blanking the Mules over the next three innings.  Beatrice junior Derek Clausen then came in and allowed just two base runners in three innings of work.
 
At the plate for the Lopers (10-9), sophomore catcher Dallas Schramm (2 for 4) and senior first baseman Kyle Honeycutt (2 for 5, three RBI's) hit back-to-back homers in the fifth. That marks the second straight game UNK has gone back-to-back.
 
Finally, sophomore right fielder Shane Stock (Millard South H.S.) hit his first career homer in the third.
 
The series resumes Saturday at 2:00 p.m