Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Central Oklahoma Bronchos scored seven runs over the final three innings to rally past Nebraska-Kearney, 9-7, Saturday afternoon at Memorial Field.
 
This was the regular season finale for both teams. With three wins this weekend, UCO improves to 29-20 (21-17) while the Lopers end the 2016 season with a 19-28 (16-23) mark.
 
One of nine UNK seniors honored after the game, right hander John Watson (Shawnee, Okla.) was impressive in his fourth and final start. He threw five shutout innings, fanning one, walking none and allowing just five singles.
 
Kearney broke a scoreless tie in the fourth when senior shortstop Shane Sharkey (4 for 6, two runs) delivered an RBI single to left. The lead grew to two in the fifth after an RBI double by junior third baseman Brent Kirsch (2 for 3).
 
However, the 'Chos used two walks, Loper error and a wild pitch to tie things up in the sixth. UNK countered in the bottom of the inning as redshirt freshman left fielder Pate Katechis (3 for 5) smacked a two-run double to left center.
 
After UCO leadoff hitter Jake Dyer (3 for 5) hit a solo homer in the seventh, the Lopers scored three in their turn at-bat. Four hits included an RBI to left center by junior right fielder Jacob Richardson (2 for 4, two runs). On the play, a heads up Sharkey scored from third as UCO was arguing they tagged out Richardson (Goddard, Kan.) at second. Richardson had wisely moved to second after the 'Chos throw from the outfield went to third.
 
Over the final two innings, UCO used six hits and three Loper errors to complete the comeback. The faithful ninth inning featured a two-out, two-run single to right from first baseman Trae Smith (2 for 5, four RBI's).
 
The Blue & Gold tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth as they loaded the bases with no outs. However, lefty Gibson Russ picked up his second save of the season and series by getting an infield pop-up and two strikeouts. That made it 17 stranded bases runners for the Lopers.
 
Besides Sharkey (McKinney, Texas) and Watson, the other UNK seniors are pitchers Jacob Dittman (Colo. Springs, Colo.), Chayse Gulzow (Grand Island), Chris Sievers (Loveland, Colo.) and Joe Smidt (North Platte), first basemen Kyle Honeycutt (Millard South H.S.) and Connor Messinger (Niwot, Colo.) and outfielder Anthony Pacheco (Kearney Catholic).