Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – Senior Nicole Larsen delivered a pinch hit walk-off single to help Nebraska-Kearney beat Chadron State, 9-8, in the first game of a double header Tuesday evening at Dryden Park.
 
UNK almost did it again in the nightcap but Eagle shortstop Courtney Lecher caught a line drive with the potential winning running at second base. Behind two homers from catcher Kayla Michel, Chadron won 6-5.
 
In the first game, the Eagles (14-10-1) scored five in the top of the second to erase a 1-0 deficit. Lechner (2 for 4, two runs & three RBI's) had a two-run double in an inning that also featured three walks and a Loper error.
 
Kearney (7-12) quickly came back, scoring five times in the bottom of the third. Among six hits was a two-run homer from Elmwood senior catcher Erin Dwyer. Chadron tallied single runs in the fifth and seventh innings but UNK countered with a three spot in the seventh to win.
 
The rally began right away when senior first baseman Kate Ruwe (3 for 3, thee runs & four RBI's) hit her second long ball of the game, a solo shot to right center. The "Blair Bomber" now has 26 career homers, fourth most in school history.
 
Back-to-back singles followed with senior center fielder Paige Hamelin (2 for 4) taking second on the throw to third. That brought up Larsen (Murrieta, Calif.), who hit a sharp single to left center to bring home Hamelin (Payson, Ariz.) and pinch runner Kaela Samek.
 
Canadian junior Kami Merrill (3-5) picked up the win by fanning six in 5.1 innings of relief work. Throwing 112 pitches, she allowed two earned on six hits and five walks.
 
UNK had just seven hits in the second game but two left the yard. Senior third baseman Makenzi Dallas 2 for 4, four RBI's) hit a three-run shot in the third and sophomore second baseman Katy Shupe (Ralston H.S.) hit a solo shot, her first as a Loper, in the fourth.
 
A Dallas (Phoenix, Ariz.) RBI single tied things at five in the fifth but Michel (2 for 4, two runs & three RBI's) led off the seventh with a homer to left center.
 
Chadron ace Cierra Cosslett came in to close the door but UNK got back-to-back singles with two down. Like in the first game, the Lopers took second on the throw, putting the potential go-ahead run at second.
 
Junior designated player Kayla Carter (Mesa, Ariz.) almost hit a deep walk-off homer down the left field line but the ball was just a few feet foul. Two pitches later, she lined out to short.
 
Besides the homers, UNK saw Shupe go 2 for 2 with Samek (Lincoln Pius X) 1 for 2 with two runs scored.
 
The Lopers head to Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern State this weekend.