Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney baseball team continues a short four-game home stand when the second-ranked Central Missouri Mules come to town this weekend.
The MIAA series will feature 2:00 p.m. games on Friday and Saturday and a 1:00 p.m. start on Sunday. Check the
Loper schedule page for media links.
Since joining in the MIAA back in the fall of 2012, UNK (7-11, 0-6) has gone 3-8 against one of Division II's top programs. The Mules (15-4, 7-2) have won all three regular season series by 2-1 margins and then swept a 2015 MIAA Tourney two-game series at home.
This year, UCM comes in with a .296 batting average and a 2.73 ERA. The Mules saw a March 14th road game with Drury (Mo.) canceled and went 2-1 last weekend at home against Central Oklahoma.
The offense is paced by junior outfielder Justin Graff-Rowe (.431, five doubles, two HR's & 12 RBI's), true freshman outfielder Erik Webb (.377, six doubles, four HR's & 14 RBI's) and senior infielder Travis Stroup (.296, eight doubles, four HR's & 22 RBI's).
Three starting pitchers have ERA's under 3.25 with the leader being Coastal Carolina transfer Steven D'Amico (3-0, 1.10 ERA & one shutout). The 6-4 right hander has 24 K's to just six walks in 32.2 innings. The bullpen features senior right hander Andy Muehlberger (1-0, three saves & 1.69 ERA).
Coming off an 11-7 setback to Sioux Falls on Monday, the Lopers continue to be led by junior catcher/designated hitter
Dallas Schramm (Millard North) and junior right hander
Mitchell Robinson (Golden Colo.).
Schramm is at .431 with eight doubles, four bombs, 16 runs scored and 24 RBI's. With three more hits, he'll reach 100 in his career. In the field, Schramm is perfect in 34 chances.
On the bump, Robinson is 3-1 with a 4.36 ERA. He leads the Lopers in innings (33.0), K's (26), complete games (one) and opponent batting average (.266). With two more strikeouts, he'll reach 100 in his career, making him the first UNK hurler to reach that mark in six years.
UNK has a quick turnaround as they are at NW Missouri State next Tuesday (March 21st) at 2:00 p.m. They then head to 12th-ranked Emporia State next weekend.
