Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior Sean Laughlin threw 4.1 innings of solid relief and junior Josh Estrada went 2 for 3 with two RBI's to help Nebraska-Kearney get past Fort Hays State, 6-4, Tuesday night at Memorial Field.

This was the first of a three-game series against the Tigers (9-26, 2-20). UNK heads to Kansas next Tuesday with the finale set for Memorial Field on Wednesday, April 26th.

Now having won three of four, the Lopers (12-23, 5-17) saw Laughlin and senior Weston Glienke (Spencer, Ia.) shut out the Tigers over the last four innings. Overall, Hays out hit Kearney, 8-6, but also left nine runners stranded.

With the game knotted at four, Estrada (Houston, Texas) led off the sixth with a homer to right center. It marked the second straight game Estrada, making a rare start in center field, went yard.

UNK added an insurance run in the seventh as freshman shortstop Calvin Rudolph (1 for 1, two runs) led off with a single, moved to second on a sac bunt and scored thanks to two wild pitches.

Laughlin (Overland Park, Kan.) moved to 2-0 after allowing one earned run in 4.1 innings. He surrendered just two hits and a walk while fanning four. The right hander now 28 K's in 29.2 innings this spring.

Finally, Glienke worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his second save with senior starter Trey Ertmer (Elizabeth, Ill.) throwing 67 pitches and fanning five in 3.2 innings. 

UNK heads to Pittsburg State this Thursday-Saturday for a three-game set. The series is moved up a day due to the Easter Holiday.