Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Junior Eddy Kraber threw six strong innings and leadoff hitter Garrett Fort went 2 for 5 with two RBI's to help Northwest Missouri State beat Nebraska-Kearney, 11-1 (7 innings), Tuesday afternoon in Maryville.

This was the first of a three-game series between the Bearcats and Lopers. The two will meet next Wednesday in Kearney and then play the finale in Maryville in two weeks.

UNK got off to a strong start as its first three hitters singled to start the game. However, Kraber (1-0) got a ground ball double play ball and a line out to short to limit the damage to a run.

On a cold and blustery day with the winds blowing solidly to right field, Fort led off the bottom of the inning with his second homer of the year. A centerfielder who bats left, he added an RBI ground in the second.

After Fort's dinger, a double down the left field line from first baseman James Holler gave NW the lead for good. Holler (3 for 4, two runs & two RBI's), the five-hole hitter, came around to score on a ground out to second.

Overall, the Bearcats (15-8, 4-6) scored in six of the seven innings with Kraber allowing only one hit after that rough start. Throwing 86 pitches, the right hander fanned three and walked just one.

Northwest finished with 10 hits and also drew eight walks. Leaving five runners on base, they saw nine-hole hitter and shortstop Logan Rycraft be solid at the plate (1 for 2, two RBI's) and in the field.

The Lopers (8-15, 1-9) did threaten in its half of the seventh but relief pitcher Jacob Wagner got a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Overall, UNK had five hits and left five runners on base.

Finally, Kansas senior center fielder Jacob Richardson went 1 for 3 with a run scored. Right fielder Josh Estrada (Houston, Texas) went 1 for 2 batting right behind Richardson and made a couple of nice catches on a windy day.

UNK heads to seventh-ranked Emporia State (19-4, 8-1) this weekend for a three-game MIAA set.