Kearney, Neb. – For a fifth straight season, the Nebraska-Kearney softball team will take part in the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark.

The large tournament, hosted by Arkansas-Monticello, brings together schools from five different conferences (MIAA, NSIC, GAC, GLVC and Heartland) on an annual basis. Eighty-four games will be played at Bentonville High's Athletic Complex and the multi-field Memorial Park.

Unlike the past two years, UNK will get in its full allotment of games as the weather will be spring-like.

The Lopers will play six games over three days, beginning Friday at 9:00 a.m. vs. the Rogers State (Okla.) Hillcats. Check the UNK schedule page for the complete schedule and tournament links. Among the teams Kearney will face are nationally-ranked Missouri-St. Louis (24th) and Harding, Ark. (18th).

Through 10 games, the Loper offense is led by true freshmen Macey Nelson (.409, five runs) and Nicole Spykstra (.276, two RBI's) and junior outfielder Kaela Samek (.263).

While the Lopers are still looking for its first home run, they have 10 doubles and a triple by Samek. On the base paths, senior outfielder Taylre Keenan is 3 for 3 on stole base attempts.

In the circle, freshmen Sara Sempek (2.25 ERA, 9.1 innings) and Mallory Stoner (6.30 ERA, 10.0 innings) have been effective in limited action with junior Meg Housholder finishing three of her five starts. She also leads UNK in innings (24.1) and K's (11).

The Lopers get next weekend off before heading to Joplin, Mo., for the annual Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament March 4-5.