Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – The Fort Hays State Tigers used a combined 17 hits to sweep a double header from Nebraska-Kearney, 4-2 and 7-6 (8 innings), Saturday evening at Dryden Park.
 
On "Senior Day", the Lopers (18-26, 9-17) were hoping to sweep the rival Tigers as two wins would've put UNK into next week's eight-team MIAA Tournament. However, the Tigers (19-28, 13-13) had a different idea as they scored early in game one and rallied late in the night cap.
 
In the early contest, Hays scored all of its runs over the first two innings, getting three in its half of the second. The key hit was a two-out, three-run double down the line by first baseman Tori Beltz.
 
California senior Nicole Larsen (6-11) responded by blanking the Tigers over the next five innings. She then got UNK on the board with a leadoff homer in the fourth. A solo shot by junior second baseman Molly Stern (Peoria, Ariz.) got the Lopers a run close in the sixth.
 
Things then started off great in the bottom of the Kearney seventh as senior third baseman Makenzi Dallas (2 for 3) doubled and senior first baseman Kate Ruwe (2 for 3) hit a shallow single to left. However, after pinch runner Taylre Keenan (Ralston) stole second, Hays got out of the jam thanks to a ground out, infield fly and strikeout.
 
Senior Paxton Duran (13-17) went the distance to earn the win, allowing two earned on eight hits and three walks. She fanned five Lopers and hit one. At the plate, the first three Tigers in the order were a combined 6 for 10.
 
Larsen also threw seven innings, giving up four earned on eight hits and a walk.
 
Hays rallied from a 5-0 hole in the second game as they scored one in the fifth, two in the sixth and three in the seventh. A two-out RBI single from junior pitcher Kami Merrill (2 for 3) kept the Lopers alive in the bottom of the seventh. But, the Tigers took advantage of an error in the top of the eighth to score the day's final run. Beltz again provided the key RBI with a sac fly to left.
 
Merrill (8-9) was the tough luck loser, allowing two earned over 7.2 innings. She fanned nine Tigers and walked just three. Larsen and Lincoln sophomore Kaela Samek joined Merrill (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) as Lopers with two hits in the setback.
 
On Sunday, these same two teams play a non-conference double header in Hays. First pitch is again at 2:00 p.m.