Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats scored three runs in the first, four in the ninth and got another strong starting effort from junior Eddy Kraber to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 8-2, Tuesday afternoon at Memorial Field.

This was the second of three games between the two teams. Northwest (17-10, 6-8) took the first in Maryville, 11-1, last Tuesday. The finale will be back at Northwest on Tuesday, April 4th.

A 6-2 right hander, Kraber blanked the Lopers (8-19, 1-13) over the first 5.2 innings before surrendering a two-run homer to sophomore left fielder Pate Katechis (2 for 3). Last week against UNK, Kraber earned his first win by allowing one earned on four hits and a walk over six innings.

Kraber was pulled after that dinger to left center and his line featured four hits (three singles), two walks and a strike out. Three relievers followed and combined for two walks, two K's and no hits over the final three innings.

The 'Cats used a two-out rally to get on the board in the first. The stretch featured two doubles down the left field line and a single to right center.

Three Loper hurlers limited NW to just one run over the next seven innings but a leadoff walk started the top of the ninth. By the end of the inning, the 'Cats scored four times thanks to two doubles down the right field line.

Finishing with 12 hits, the 'Cats production came from its three through six hitters (8 for 17, six runs & seven RBI's). That group included third baseman Landon Figg (3 for 4, one run & one RBI) and designated hitter/catcher Jay Hrdlicka (2 for 4, one run & three RBI's).

UNK heads to Topeka, Kan., this weekend for a three-game set at Washburn.