Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior second baseman Matt Salamon hit a walk-off single against a five-man infield to help Nebraska-Kearney beat Northeastern State, 5-4, Saturday evening at Memorial Field.
 
The victory helps the Lopers win its first MIAA series of the year. 
 
The RiverHawks (17-14, 11-9) out hit the Lopers 11-9 and its last base knock tied the game. With one down in the top of the ninth, leadoff hitter Butch Rea hit his seventh homer of the year over the left field fence.
 
The momentum was short lived, however, as junior designated hitter Dallas Schramm (1 for 2, two RBI's) was plunked on a 2-0 pitch to start the bottom of the inning. Sophomore left fielder Pate Katechis (Longmont Colo.) tried to lay down a sac bunt but, facing a full count, hit a single to left center instead. 
 
With pinch runner Sean Maruo (Wichita, Kan.) at third and Katechis at first, NSU skipper Jake Hendrick came out to talk to his team. He also brought in Zane Takhar to be a fifth infielder and removed left field Jordan Payne from the game.
 
All the strategy didn't work as Salamon (Owasso, Okla.) smacked the first pitch he saw from reliever Zach Poehl (1-2) just left of second base and past the drawn-in infield.
 
Iowa senior Weston Glienke (3-0) earned the win by throwing the final 2.2 innings. He struck out the side in the eighth and didn't walk a 'Hawk. Also out of the pen, Kansas senior Sean Laughlin got Michael Rhea (2 for 4) looking to end the sixth. At the time, the score was knotted a three with the go-ahead runner at second.
 
Besides Schramm, Minnesota senior catcher Kirk McLeod went 2 for 4 with a run scored and threw out a 'Hawk at second base.
 
The series finale begins Sunday at noon.