Loper Athletics
KEARNEY – Senior designated player Tatum Long hit a Grand Slam in the top of the sixth inning to help sixth-ranked Central Oklahoma rally past Nebraska-Kearney, 6-5, in game two of a double header Saturday at Patriot Park.
The Bronchos (40-8, 20-2) took the opener five innings, 11-0. These were the final home games of the 2024 season for the Lopers (18-27, 16-16). They finish up the regular season next weekend at eighth-ranked Rogers State and Northeastern State.
“Walks is the issue with all three losses this weekend. In the first game (vs. Newman), all the walks came in one inning (10 runs for the Jets) and the same thing today. “When you have walks and bleeders, it’s tough to be successful,” said UNK head coach Katie Ackermann. “It was just one inning against Newman and one inning today.”
Behind freshman pitcher Lauryn Haggadone (York), UNK was poised for a 5-1 win over the ‘Chos in the nightcap. She shut out UCO, who’ve now outscored the competition by a 305-104 margin, in four of the first five innings. At the plate, the Lopers took advantage of eight walks, four hits and three errors to score five times. However, the Blue & Gold also stranded 10.
A single, wild pitch and RBI single drove Haggadonefrom the game in the sixth. A walk put another runner on base and then the fun began. A fielder’s choice bobble at second loaded the bases. However, UNK asked for a review to see if an out occurred a second before the ball came out via transfer. But, after 15 minutes of discussion, the umpires determined the play cannot be video reviewed.
Long was the first batter after the break and, on a 3-0 count, hit her fifth homer of the year over the right center field fence. UCO star Terin Ritz got her team on board with her 17th dinger of the season in the fourth.
“Lauryn proved she can hang with just about anybody. She’s had some quality games for us this season but the biggest part of her is consistency,” said Ackermann. “She threw strikes today and a start like this is a good sign for the future.”
Shelby Beard allowed no earned runs over the final 3.1 innings to move to 6-0. Haggadone got a no decision after allowing three earned on eight hits and no walks in five full innings. At the plate, freshman DP Gianna Galli (Stockton, Calif.) went 1 for 2 with two RBI’s. Finally, senior outfielder Abbie Jo Gaube(Omaha Gross) walked twice, pushing her career total to 81. Hall of Famer Darcie Berry (1997-00) holds the UNK record with 82.
Ritz and Beard combined on a one-hit shutout in game one. UCO worked around four errors in the field by having 12 hits, including four doubles, with six different players having an RBI. Finally, shortstop Emily Deramus went 3 for 3 with three runs.
“It was good to come away with a win this weekend and another one today would’ve really helped us (for the MIAA Tournament). But that performance gives us confidence going into the last weekend,” said Ackermann. “We’re not sure when our season is going to end so we just have to be excited about going to the park and be ready to play the other team in the dugout and not worry about the uniform that’s on their back.”
