The Northwest Missouri State baseball team came up short in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader with Nebraska Kearney.

The Lopers took game one, 5-3, before using four long balls to clinch game two, 11-4.

The Bearcats now stand at 7-11 on the year and 5-6 in conference play, while the Lopers improved their record to 14-8 and 8-3 in the MIAA.

In game one, Joseph Hietpas started the game for Northwest, giving up one earned run on seven hits across five innings of work. The freshman struck out five Lopers and walked four.

Second baseman Paul Johnson reached base on a pair of singles, whlie catcher Derek Meyer reached base in both of his at bats and drove in one run and DH Luke Wilkinson knocked in a run on a double in his first plate appearance.

In game two, the Lopers used two three-run home runs and two solo shots to put away the Bearcats.

UNK scored their 11 runs on 12 hits and committed two errors, while the Bearcats collected six hits and made two errors of their own.

Brad Roberts made the start for Northwest, lasting 4 2/3 innings while giving up seven runs on six hits. The freshman walked two and struck out three UNK batters.

Shortstop Nick Gotta drove in two RBI on two base knocks, while freshman Nick Howard finished 1-for-2 with a double and one run and DH James Holler came away with one run and one RBI.

The series finale between Northwest and Nebraska Kearney is scheduled for Sunday at noon.

— Northwest Sports Information —