Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney softball team used two five run innings to rally past Fort Lewis 8-7 and 9-8, Saturday afternoon in Hays, KS.

Due to weather and field conditions, the series was moved from Kearney to Hays, Kansas. UNK improves to 3-3 and 2-0 in the RMAC, while Fort Lewis falls to 2-7 and 1-3 in the RMAC.

In game two, UNK found itself down 8-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth. The Lopers scored five runs, thanks to five hits and an FLC error that started the rally off. Freshman RF Taylor Fernau finished the big inning with a two-run single to left.

The bottom of the seventh saw UNK tie the score at eight, with sophomore DP Jessie Thomas (2 for 4) having an RBI single and then coming around to score on a RBI single from senior 1b Laura Gormely  (2 for 4).

The Lopers had a chance to have a walk off win by the Skyhawks cut down pinch runner Sara Palmer at third to force extra innings.

In the eighth, freshmen pitcher Dani Mowinkel struck out the first two batters and then got Jordan Wills (2 for 4) to fly out to Gormley to end the inning. Senior CF Alissa Larsen (4 for 5, three runs, five stole bases) singled to center to start the Loper eighth, then stole second.

A few pitchers later. senior SS Kelsey Smith laced a single down the left field line that managed to stay fair and bring home Larsen to score the winning run.

Heading into the bottom of the fifth of game one, UNK was down 4-1. The Lopers once again got four consecutive hits from Larsen, Fernau, Smith, and junior 3b Cassie Keck to start a five run rally.

After a Thomas (2 for 3) walk, which loaded the bases, Gormley got her first hit of season, a three-run double to give UNK a 6-4 lead.

Fort Lewis would score one run in the top of the six to make the score 6-5. In the bottom of the inning, with runners at second and third and two out, Gormley got another big hit as she hit a single to center to finish the game's scoring.

Freshman Becky Dunn earned the win in relief by allowing three runs over 4.1 innings.

Up Next:
Nebraska-Kearney plays 2 more games against Ft. Lewis in Hays, KS on Sunday.