KEARNEY, Neb. - Wrapping up a four-game series where it got outscored 79-10, the Lincoln baseball team suffered a pair of blowout losses to the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers on Sunday.
Nebraska-Kearney rolled to a 21-6 win in the seven-inning opener before routing Lincoln 25-2 in the nightcap that was scheduled for nine innings before being shortened to seven due to the run rule.
Because the series was originally scheduled to be played at Lincoln Field before weather forced the shift to Kearney, the Lopers played as the visiting team on the scoreboard. It didn't faze them, as they scored in 13 of the 14 innings played Sunday.
The Lopers got two in each of the first two innings of the lidlifter, before the Blue Tigers made it 4-2 in the bottom of the second thanks to a two-run homer by Dylan Koehler that scored Trevor Schnieders.
Three different five-run innings - the third, fifth and sixth - ran the Lopers' lead to 19-2.
The Blue Tigers put together a four-run bottom of the sixth thanks to a three-run homer by Alex Ludwick and an RBI single by Daniel Castillo, but Kearney closed the scoring with two runs in the top of the seventh.
Lincoln, which got outhit 20-10, was led by Schnieders' three hits. Kaleb Davis added a pair of singles.
Tyler Roberts (0-3) took the loss after pitching the first 22/3 innings. He gave up nine earned runs on 11 hits and three walks.
Ryan Simpson followed and gave up 10 earned runs 21/3 innings. He allowed eight hits and three walks and struck out two. Cameron Massman pitched the final two innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit.
In the second game, a nine-run top of the first inning for the Lopers set the tone for the game.
Nebraska-Kearney added one in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth, four in the fifth, three in the sixth and five in the seventh.
Lincoln got one run in the fifth on a solo homer by Mason Price and another in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Ludwick.
The Blue Tigers got outhit 25-6 in the game. They were led by Price's pair of hits.
Caleb Thomas (0-2) was the losing pitcher. He allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on nine hits and one walk to go with one strikeout in two innings.
Jordan Barrett pitched the next three innings and allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits. He walked one and struck out one. Adam Stegeman finished up and allowed eight earned runs on nine hits and one walk in two innings.
Nebraska-Kearney moved to 21-10 overall and 15-5 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
Lincoln (1-23, 1-15) returns to action Tuesday with a home doubleheader against MIAA foe Lindenwood. The first game is set for a 1 p.m. start at Lincoln Field.