Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri Southern State Lions used two sac flys and a two-run single to score four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Nebraska-Kearney, 10-6, Saturday evening in Joplin.
MSSU (10-7, 3-2) has now won the series from UNK (7-7, 0-2).
For a second straight game, the Lions broke a tie in the eighth inning and then held Kearney scoreless in the ninth to record the victory. Today, UNK scored four of its runs between the fifth and seventh innings to tie things at six.
The Mo Southern eighth got off to an auspicious start for the Lopers as a hit batter and two walks loaded the bases. Nine-hole hitter Alec Alvarez (1 for 2) brought home the game winner with a sac fly to center. After an intentional walk, another sac fly made it 8-6.
Staying away from slugger Max Hogan (.532, 9 HR, 25 RBI's), UNK issued another intentional walk but designated hitter Brett Graham (2 for 5, three RBI's) made them pay with a two-run single to left to finish the scoring.
Two walks and a single did put three Lopers on in the top of the ninth inning. However, for a second straight day, a strikeout ended the game.
Finishing with 13 hits and taking advantage of five walks, MSSU saw Hogan go 4 for 4 with run scored from the three-hole. Next, catcher Dave Prost was 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBI's. He and first baseman Todd Hinkley (1 for 4, two runs) both belted two-run homers.
On the mound for Southern, three relievers combined for five strikeouts, no walks and one earned run over the final 3.1 innings. Sophomore right hander Colin Chandler (2-0) won by tossing two scoreless innings.
Once again, UNK had 15 hits in a losing effort. Leaving 14 runners on base, the Lopers saw leadoff hitter
Scott Platt (Longmont, Colo.) go 3 for 6 with a run and RBI with second baseman
Matt Salamon (Owasso, Okla.) 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI from the ninth spot in the lineup.
Finally, junior first baseman
Ricky Trammell (Kansas City, Mo.) went 3 for 4 and senior reliever
Derek Clausen (Beatrice) threw a scoreless sixth inning.
The series resumes Sunday at noon.
