Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior Seth Holman struck out eight in seven innings and nine-hole hitter Wade Hanna went 3 for 3 with three RBI's to help fifth-ranked Emporia State beat Nebraska-Kearney, 4-1, Friday afternoon in Kansas.

This was the opener of a three-game set. ESU (20-5, 9-2) is now 12-3 at home while the Lopers slip to 8-16 (1-10).

A 6-4, 205 pound right hander who began his career at Southern Mississippi, Holman (6-1) threw an even 100 pitches. He scattered seven hits, walked just one Loper and didn't allow a run over the first six innings.

Both teams ended with 10 hits but UNK left 10 runners on base. Holman got out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth thanks to an infield fly and strike out. In the seventh, he managed to allow only one Loper to score after the bases were full with no outs.

Emporia, stranding five runners on the day, scored in the second and fourth innings. Junior first baseman Kaden Shaffer had an RBI triple to start the scoring and then came home on a Hanna double. Two innings later, Hanna delivered a two-run double down the left field line again. He later added a single and stolen base.

Also for E-State, senior designated hitter Daniel LaMunyon went 2 for 4 and scored twice with senior Nathan Whitcomb allowing two hits in the ninth but still recording his sixth save.

Nine different Lopers collected a hit, including senior center fielder Jacob Richardson (2 for 4, one RBI). On the mound, Colorado junior right hander Mitchell Robinson (3-3) allowed three earned in eight full innings. He fanned five Hornets and didn't register a walk in throwing 109 pitches.

The series resumes Saturday at 3:00 p.m.