Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – Senior infielder Molly Stern hit a two-run home run and freshman Sara Sempek threw six strong innings to help Nebraska-Kearney upset 18^th-ranked Harding, 7-4, Saturday afternoon in Bentonville, Ark.

In the second game, UNK fell to Rockurst, 10-3. These games were part of the 8-State Classic.

The home team against the Bison (8-2), the Lopers scored two runs in its half of the third to break a scoreless tie. With two down, California freshman leadoff hitter Macey Nelson (2 for 4) hit a single and then Stern (Peoria, Ariz.) brought her home with UNK's first dinger of the spring.

The Lopers tallied three more runs in the fourth and added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Besides Stern, freshman outfielder Nicole Spykstra (Chandler, Ariz.) went 2 for 3 with a run and RBI.

On the mound, Sempek (Papillion-LaVista) earned her first collegiate win by allowing three earned on six walks and eight hits. Junior Abbey Martin (Pleasant Grove, Utah) picked up the save by retiring four of the five batters she faced.

The RU Hawks got a second inning pinch hit Grand Slam from leadoff hitter Lauren Cairo to take second game. The junior remained in the contest and added a two-run double in the seventh.

Rockhurst saw three others recorded two hits apiece with Bridgette Sappington working the final four innings to earn the win. She didn't allow an earned run while fanning one Loper.

Stern had an RBI for UNK with freshman catcher Alexis Howe (Papillion-LaVista) going 2 for 3.

Kearney finishes up the tournament Sunday against Upper Iowa and nationally-ranked Missouri St. Louis.