Box Score Kearney, Neb – The Nebraska-Kearney baseball team scored seven runs over the first two innings and senior Joe Smidt threw well in his second career start as the Lopers held off Pittsburg State, 9-5, Thursday night at Memorial Field.
 
Due to the impending weather, the series was pushed up a full day with tonight's game beginning at 7:35 p.m. The teams will return to the field to play a double header on Friday at 1:00 p.m.
 
UNK (15-20, 12-14) had seven of its 12 hits over the first innings to grab a 7-0 lead after two complete. Sophomore third baseman Josh Estrada (Houston, Texas) had a two out, two-run single in the first with senior first baseman Kyle Honeycutt (Millard South H.S.) belting a solo shot, his seventh of the year, in the second.
 
That's all Smidt (North Platte H.S.) needed as he scattered six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. UNK's all-time leader in saves with 27, Smidt (1-0) was making just his second career start after 69 consecutive relief appearances.
 
Also on the mound, Grand Island Chayse Gulzow earned his second save of 2016 by tossing the final 3.2 innings. He struck out one Gorilla and didn't allow an earned run. Pitt (9-26, 4-22) did score four in its half of the sixth but Gulzow got two ground outs to stem the tide.
 
Offensively, Omaha sophomore designated hitter Dallas Schramm went 3 for 4 with a run scored but failed to hit a homer in a sixth straight game. He almost went yard in the first but a sharp double hit the top of the left field wall.
 
Finally, senior short stop Shane Sharkey (McKinney, Texas) went 3 for 5 with a run scored from the leadoff spot.