Kearney, Neb. – After some rare time off, the Nebraska-Kearney baseball team begins MIAA play this weekend with a three-game series at Missouri Southern State.

The contests are set for 2:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon on Sunday. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

MSSU (8-7) lost at Arkansas Tech, 10-3, on Wednesday. Last weekend at home, they dropped an MIAA series to Lindenwood in three slugfests; 12-7 (win), 10-7 (loss) and 12-7 (loss).

Coming off a 32-20 campaign, the Lions were picked fourth in the preseason coaches' poll.  At the plate, MSSU is currently averaging just under 10 runs per game while hitting .330 with 21 home runs and 45 doubles.

Senior infielder Max Hogan (.509, 8 HR, 22 RBI's) and senior outfielder Tyler Sutherland (.381, 3 HR, 18 RBI's), both lefties at the dish, are two Lions to watch.

On the mound, MSSU has a 6.57 ERA with 97 K's in 126.0 innings. Senior right hander Dan Hawk, a transfer from Division I Texas-Arlington, is 1-1 with a 5.84 ERA over five starts while senior right hander Cody Smith is 1-3 with two saves thanks to 17 K's in 11.2 innings. He began his career at Division I Murray State (Ky.).

In 2016 and 2014, UNK went a combined 4-3 against the Lions at Memorial Field. The two clubs didn't meet in 2015 or 2013 due to weather so these will be the Lopers first-ever MIAA games in Joplin.

Having last played on February 19th at Colorado-Colorado Springs, Kearney continues to be led by junior catcher/designated hitter Dallas Schramm (Millard North H.S.) at the plate. The only Loper to have started all 12 games, he is batting .477 with five doubles, three dingers and 16 RB's. Each of those are team-highs. He also is perfect in 24 fielding chances.

Joining him behind the plate is junior Billy Hayes (Lemont, Ill.). He also is perfect in the field (38 chances) while having thrown out three would-be base stealers. In six games with five starts, the College of DuPage transfer is at .474 with a double, triple and four RBI's.

Senior lefty batter Kirk McLeod (Detroit Lakes, Minn.) is another catcher for UNK. He has one of the team's eight homers to date while having three RBI's and seven assists in the field.

UNK host the Peru State Bobcats (5-3) Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. On the original schedule, the Midland Warriors were supposed to be the opponent.