Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Junior right hander Ethan Westphal struck out nine and allowed one hit over seven innings to help Central Missouri beat Nebraska-Kearney, 3-0, Saturday afternoon in Warrensburg.

The Mules (11-7) improve to 9-2 in the MIAA with the Lopers now at 10-10 (7-4) on the season.

A 5-10, 170 pounder, Westphal (3-1) retired 11 Lopers in a row between the third and sixth innings. Walking two and hitting a batter, he gave way to senior Lucas Williams in the eighth.

Williams struck out two in an inning of work but UNK got to junior Grant Gavin in the ninth. Juniors Easton Edmond (Lincoln SW) and Brent Kirsch (Papillion) each delivered singles with sophomore DH Dallas Schramm (Millard North) drawing a walk.

However, Gavin picked up his second save of 2016 by getting a 6-4-3 ground ball double play to end the game.

After hitting a solo homer on Friday, third baseman Cole Distler went 3 for 3 with a run and RBI to pace UCM at the plate. The Mules, finishing with eight hits, scored single runs in the second, third and seventh innings.

Colorado sophomore Mitchell Robinson (0-3) was the tough luck loser, allowing three earned on eight hits and walk over seven innings. Colorado senior Jacob Dittman then threw a scoreless eighth inning.

The series finale begins Sunday at 1:00 p.m.