Kearney, Neb. – The Colorado State-Pueblo baseball team got a strong effort from starting pitcher Scott Harshman and hit four home runs to eliminate Nebraska-Kearney, 12-10, from the RMAC Tournament Saturday afternoon in Pueblo.

The second-seeded ThunderWolves (39-20) went on to beat third-seeded New Mexico Highlands, 15-1, in the title game Saturday afternoon. The Lopers see its 2009 season come to an end with a 26-32 record.

In an effort to win a third straight RMAC Tournament title, UNK turned to two-time conference pitcher of the year Ryan Shledon. The 6-6 right hander was 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA vs. Pueblo this year but was working on just two days rest.

The Lopers staked their ace to a 3-0 lead as senior right fielder Nate Swearer (2 for 4) hit a run scoring double in the top of the first and then came home on Leon de Winter's 11th homer of the season.

Pueblo, who had whiffed 36 times against Sheldon coming into Saturday, chipped away, tallying single runs in each of the first four innings. Three of the runs came on solo homers.

The ThunderWolves took charge with a four-run fifth that featured a two-run homer from Zach Hoffman (3 for 5). Sheldon (9-4) would go 4.2 innings, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits and one walk. He did fan five to push his season total to 105.

UNK had a chance to make it an 8-6 game in the sixth as they had runners at second and third with no out. However, on an errant pitch, Pueblo catcher Ryan Wagner got a fortunate bounce and managed to run down to third and record an unlikely unassisted double play.

After junior third baseman Blake Cover (4 for 5, four runs) hit a solo homer in the seventh to make it 8-5 game, Pueblo erupted for four in its half of the eighth to open up a seven run cushion.

UNK didn't go down without a fight, however, scoring five runs in the top of the ninth and having the tying run reach first. Pueblo ace Mario Mattivi, after allowing the first two batters he faced to reach base, got a double play and ground ball to end the Lopers come back efforts.

Harshman worked into the ninth and shut out UNK in five innings. Besides Hoffman, three other 'Wolves had three hits a piece.

By going 8 for 19 in the tournament, Cover ties the season hit record of 92, set by current graduate assistant coach Cody Lusero in 2007. Swearer (88) also got close to that mark and ends his career with 178 RBI, four short of the UNK mark.

Also on Saturday, sophomore first baseman Andrew Haake (Beatrice) went 2 for 4 with two RBI's.

Finally, Cover and junior pitcher Jared Loschen (Kearney) represent UNK on the all-tournament team.

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