Box Score Kearney, Neb. – First baseman James Holler knocked in four runs and Anthony Caenepeel threw eight strong innings to help Northwest Missouri State beat Nebraska-Kearney, 6-1, Tuesday afternoon in Marvyille.
 
The game was originally set for Wednesday, March 30th, but moved up due to expected poor weather. This also was the second of a three-game series; UNK won 16-5 (7 innings) last Tuesday at Memorial Field. The rubber match is set for Tuesday, April 5th, in Kearney.
 
With the win, Northwest (14-13, 9-8) is now tied with UNK (12-14, 9-8) for fifth place in the MIAA.
 
A junior right hander and the Bearcat ace, Caenepeel improved to 3-4 by throwing 136 pitches, 90 for strikes. The 2015 All-MIAA hurler fanned 13 and walked just two while not allowing a run until the ninth. He was coming off a six-innning stint last Friday at Central Missouri.
 
UNK junior Tanner Spencer (1-2) was equal to the task early on, blanking Northwest (14-13, 9-8) over the first three innings. The 'Cats had four of its 10 hits in a two-run fourth, however, with Holler (3 for 3, two runs) having an RBI double down the left field line.
 
A bunt single and walk started a one-out rally in the Northwest fifth. Holler brought home these two with a double down the right field line and then scored on another double that just stayed fair.
 
Also for Northwest, third baseman Kevin Handzlik went 3 for 4 with 3 runs batting from five hole.
 
For the Lopers, senor leadoff hitter Shane Sharkey (McKinney, Texas) and senior first baseman Kyle Honeycutt (Millard South H.S.) each had two hits with senior Joe Smidt (North Platte) allowing only one earned run over the final 3.1 innings.
 
UNK hosts Washburn in a three-game series this weekend at Memorial Field. First pitch Friday is set for 3:00 p.m.