KEARNEY, Neb. – The Northwest Missouri State University softball team was able to take the second game of a doubleheader at Nebraska-Kearney Saturday to gain a split of the MIAA series.
 
The Lopers rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh of game one to take the victory, 4-3. Northwest rode the arm of Jadyn Streigle and a three-hit game from Grace Lubben to gain the win in the second contest, 9 -0.
 
Northwest is 12-17 overall and 2-6 in MIAA play. UNK is 16-15 overall and 2-4 in league action.
 
GAME ONE
The Lopers rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh to post a 4-3 win in the opener.
 
The Lopers took a 2-0 lead in the second on an RBI-single and an RBI-groundout.
 
Skylar Pieper drove in Annie Gahan with an RBI-single to right center in the fifth to cut the UNK lead to 2-1.
 
Malia Cuevas ripped an RBI-single to left to score Grace Lubben to tie the game at 2-2 in the sixth. Cuevas eventually scored on a wild pitch to give Northwest a 3-2 advantage.
 
Bearcat head coach Naomi Tellez turned to Rien Moore for a save opportunity in the seventh. However, Moore walked the first two batters she faced and after a sacrifice bunt she walked a third Loper to load the bases. UNK's Edan McNally drove a single through the left side to score one and the Bearcat left fielder Omara Love appeared to throw out the tying run at the plate. However, after a questionable replay review overturned the out call, the Lopers were awarded the run and a 4-3 victory.
 
Cuevas went 3-for-3 for her first career three-hit game as a Bearcat. Pieper delivered a two-hit game.
 
Olivia Moyer got the start and worked into the third inning. She gave up two runs on three hits with two strikeouts. Erika Gore worked a solid 3 2/3 innings and allowed only one hit and no runs.
 
Moore took the loss to drop to 5-2.
 
GAME TWO
Jadyn Streigle tossed a shutout as the Bearcats were able to post a 9-0 win over the Lopes in the back half of the doubleheader.
 
Northwest seized control of the contest with a five-run third inning. Northwest added four additional runs in the seventh to push the final margin to nine.
 
Grace Lubben produced her first career three-hit game. She also led the squad with two Rbi against the Lopers.
 
Streigle went the distance and allowed seven hits. She struck out four and walked one as she gained her third win of the season.
 
 Northwest will remain on the road for a Sunday doubleheader in Hays, Kan., against the Fort Hays State University Tigers.