Big inning dooms Pack against Kearney

Nebraska-Kearney 7, CSU-Pueblo 4

KEARNEY, Neb. - A bases loaded double by Kearney's Griff Watson was the centerpiece of a five-run fifth inning that allowed the Lopers to surge ahead of the Pack and claim a 7-4 win Friday.

Watson's two-out, three-run double down the leftfield line broke the game wide open for the Lopers, wresting a 4-2 lead away from the ThunderWolves.  The big hit came on the heels of an inning that snowballed for the Pack, opened by two singles and an error by shortstop Nick Balentine that kept the inning alive for Kearney.

The inning undid a valiant effort by the ThunderWolves, including a complete game loss by starter Jesus Hernandez, who gave up 15 hits and five earned runs, striking out seven.  The ThunderWolves' initial lead was also helped by a two-run shot by Thomas Cordova in the first inning that put the Pack up 2-0.

The loss is a big one for the ThunderWolves (20-23, 11-18 RMAC), who need to score at least a split this weekend to stay ahead of New Mexico Highlands for the sixth and final playoff spot in the RMAC.  Highlands faces Mesa State this weekend, the second-ranked team in the conference.

The ThunderWolves will continue its series with Kearney Saturday with a double-header, beginning at 12 p.m. (CST).