Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Right hander Chris Sievers was stellar in an emergency start and junior Jacob Richardson drove in the winning run to help Nebraska-Kearney upset No. 23 Missouri Western State, 2-1, Saturday afternoon in St. Joseph, Mo.

The day didn't start great for the Lopers (18-22, 15-16) as senior pitcher Joe Smidt was a last second scratch due to injury. The North Platte native, UNK's all-time saves leader, was scheduled to make his third collegiate start.

Another senior stepped up to fill the void, however, as Sievers (Loveland, Colo.) tossed 107 pitches over seven innings. He struck out six Griffons (30-12, 22-9), walked just one and blanked MWSU from the third through seventh innings.

One of UNK's busiest pitcher over the last two years, this was Sievers 12th career start and ninth career win.

To make sure Sievers got the victory, the Lopers needed to break a one all tie in the top of the eighth. Junior center fielder Easton Edmond (2 for 3, 1 run) led off the inning with a single to right and then took second on a sac but. The Lincoln native then moved up 90 more feet thanks to a wild pitch.

With two down and on a 1-1 count, Richardson (2 for 4) smacked a single up the middle. In his last six games, the outfielder is batting .368 with five runs and three RBI's.

Grand Island senior Chayse Gulzow threw didn't allow a base runner over the final two innings to pick up his team-leading third save of the year. Finally, senior first baseman Kyle Honeycutt (Millard South H.S.) and redshirt freshman left fielder Pate Katechis (Longmont, Colo.) joined Richardson as Lopers to go 2 for 4.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon.