TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State baseball team defeated Nebraska-Kearney 11-6 Saturday afternoon in the second game of a weekend MIAA series at Rousey Field.
 
The RiverHawks (18-15, 12-11 MIAA) also won the first game and clinched the weekend series victory, while the Lopers fell to 13-19 overall and 10-13 in league play.
 
Saturday's contest looked to be a blowout early as Northeastern State led 10-0 after just two innings of play. The Lopers put five on the board in the fourth to get within striking distance, but they would only be able to manage one more run the rest of the way.
 
Senior Eric Kirkpatrick finished the contest 2-for-3 with three runs batted in, two runs scored and his eighth home run of the season. Fellow seniors Gabriel Wurth, Shane Bridges and Charles Sims all had two hits. Bridges scored twice and Sims drove home a pair of runs.
 
Junior Thomas Murray (1-3) began the season as the best closer in the nation, but he has since been converted to a starting role and was able to pick up his first win on the mound. He allowed five runs on five hits in the first 5.0 innings. He also struck out six and walked three. Senior Jake Kern threw the last 4.0 frames and collected his first save of the season. He gave up just one run on five hits.
 
UNK starter Trey Ertmer (3-5) was tagged with the loss after he was only able to record four outs. He was pulled after giving up nine runs on seven hits. John Watson threw the next 6.0 innings and was steady on the mound, conceding just two runs on four hits across that time. He also struck out seven and walked two.
 
Shane Sharkey and Dallas Schramm were the only Lopers with multiple hits. Schramm hit his second homer of the series and drove in four runs. Josh Estrada scored twice.
 
NSU will attempt to pick up a sweep when the two teams meet in the series finale that is scheduled to begin at noon April 10.
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-