WARRENSBURG, Mo. (March 20, 2016) -- The Mules took a 4-1 lead in to the sixth inning, but Nebraska-Kearney put up four runs in the top of the sixth and held on for a 5-4 win in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.
The Mules (11-8, 9-3 MIAA) jumped on top 2-0 in the first inning, thanks in part to a UNK throwing error.
Jake Alexander had an RBI sacrifice bunt to plate
Matt Elliott with the game's first run and
Derek Cornell added an RBI single to make it 2-0.
UNK (11-10, 8-4 MIAA) scored one run in the second to cut the UCM lead in half. Kirk McLeod doubled to right center and scored on Brent Kirsch's single to center.
The Mules extended the lead to 4-1 in the fifth.
Blake Wilfong led off the inning with a home run down the right field line and
Dylan Farrell added an RBI single for the three-run advantage.
The Lopers took the lead in the sixth scoring four runs on Pate Katechis' grand slam to left.
The Mules threatened in the eighth inning putting the tying run on second with one out, but could not score. UCM put the tying run on in the ninth when
Collin Nevil reached on an error by the UNK pitcher, but pinch runner
Travis Able was stranded at second and the Mules fell.
Reece Ponak (1-1) took the loss for UCM after giving up three runs on two hits in just a third of an inning. He walked two and struck out one. Starter
Carlos D'Armas allowed two runs on three hits in five innings, he struck out five with no walks, but did hit three batters.
Chris Sievers (3-0) earned the win for UNK after tossing 3.2 innings of no-hit relief. Chayse Gulzow recorded the final four outs of the game for his first save of the season.
The loss snaps UCM's winning streak at four. Alexander finished the day 0-for-3 with an RBI, snapping his 15-game hitting streak. It was also the first game all season that he had not reached base.
The Mules are back in action on Tuesday night at Lindenwood. First pitch from St. Charles is set for 6 p.m.
