Kearney, Neb. – The five-game home stand for the Nebraska-Kearney baseball team continues this weekend when the Northeastern State RiverHawks come to venerable Memorial Field.
The two have had opposite schedules to date as NSU has played 15 home games with UNK having 25 road games. First pitch Friday comes at 6:00 p.m. Check the
Loper schedule page for media links and start times for the weekend contests.
Both squads dropped their MIAA midweek games on Tuesday, UNK falling at home to NW Missouri State, 5-4, and NSU losing at Pittsburg State, 4-3.
The 'Hawks (17-12, 11-7) are currently tied for third place in the league standings. Six of their 11 MIAA wins came thanks to home sweeps of Fort Hays State (8-22) and NW Missouri (21-10).
Batting .263, NSU is led at the plate by senior infielder Butch Rea (.317, six HR's & 25 RBI's). He began his career at Division I Central Arkansas. Next, junior infielder Dakota Murse is at .313 with four HR's and 22 RBI's.
On the mound, four different pitches have won at least two games. The group includes Southern Miss transfer and junior closer Dustin Berrong (3-2, three saves, 4.15 ERA) and true freshman starter Nolan Sturgeon (4-0, 3.03 ERA).
Last April in Tahlequah, NSU swept UNK by scores of 6-4, 11-6 and 12-10. This will be the 'Hawks first time in Kearney.
After suffering a ninth inning loss to the Bearcats, the Lopers fell to 2-6 in games decided by two runs or less. UNK is 2-0 in extra inning affairs.
Senior second baseman
Matt Salamon (Owasso, Okla.), a 2016 All-MIAA pick, is riding a team-best five-game hit streak. That has lifted his season numbers to .318, three doubles and 14 RBI's. He also is first on the team in assists (65).
Next, UNK has already seen four pitchers appear in 10 games. They are Kansas senior
Sean Laughlin (15), Iowa senior
Weston Glienke (14), Colorado junior
Travis Edgar (10) and McCook junior
Cameron Burkey (10). Each is a relief pitcher.
Among the starters, Colorado junior
Mitchell Robinson (4-4, 4.30 ERA) made a rare relief appearance in Tuesday's game. However, he already ranks among UNK's all-time leaders in starts with 32. Number 33 will come this weekend.
Kearney begins its three-week, three-game series against Fort Hays State on Tuesday, April 11th. The Tigers come to Memorial at 6:00 p.m.
