Kearney, Neb. – The start time for the Nebraska-Kearney/Northwest Missouri State baseball game scheduled for Tuesday, March 21st, in Mayville, Mo., has been moved up.

Due to impending rain, the Lopers (8-14) and Bearcats (14-8) will now start at noon. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

This is the first of three games between the two squads as NW will come to Kearney on Wednesday, March 29th with UNK returning to Maryville on Tuesday, April 4th.
Northwest is coming off a week in which it beat William Jewell, 4-3, and Rockhurst, 6-1 & 8-1, to push its home mark to 5-1.

Beginning the year on a six-game win streak, NW is led by senior infielders James Holler (.330, 10 doubles, 19 RBI's) and Ozzie Adams (.326, seven doubles, two HR's & 22 RBI's). The pitching staff has a 3.14 ERA and features senior closer Nikko Pablo (2-1, 2.89 ERA, four saves). He is one of five 'Cats to have logged at least 18 innings so far.

Last year, UNK won twice at home, 16-5 & 11-1, while falling in Maryville, 6-1.

Having won six true road games, the Lopers now have five regulars batting .300 or better. The group includes senior second baseman Matt Salamon (.303) and senior outfielder Jacob Richardson (.341).

Richardson (Goddard, Kan.) leads UNK with a .491 on-base percentage thanks to 11 walks and one hit-by-pitch. Meanwhile, Salamon (Owasso, Okla.) is one of three Lopers batting over .400 (8 for 18/.444) with runners in scoring position.

UNK remains on the road this weekend as it travels to nationally-ranked Emporia State (19-4, 8-1).