Kearney, Neb. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team led 2-1 after six innings at Nebraska-Kearney tonight, but the Lopers scored four runs in the seventh to take a 5-2 win over the Lions in game one of the series at Memorial Field in Kearney.

Southern (23-24, 16-21 MIAA) picked up a strong start from David Reese as the senior went seven innings and struck out six, while walking just one. He scattered six hits and allowed just four earned runs, but his record fell to 4-6 on the season. Drew Noble threw an inning of relief, striking out one. 

Kearney picked up eight innings from their starter Alex Sosa. He struck out seven and walked one, moving to 1-1 on the season, while Joe Smidt threw a scoreless ninth to pick up save ten of the season. 

After a UNK (28-16, 21-15 MIAA) home run in the second inning, the Lions answered back with an RBI single from Axel Johnson scoring Logan Moon in the third, while Jared Lupo doubled home Matt Smith in the fourth to put Southern up 2-1. 

The Lions held that lead until the bottom of the seventh when the Lopers scored four on a two-RBI single from Brent Kirsch and a two-run home run from Brandon Landanger. 

Brandon Weller went 2-4 in the game, while Moon, Johnson, Lupo, Smith and Evin Natick had a hit each. Moon and Smith scored a run, while Johnson and Lupo drove in a run each. 

The Lions and Lopers will go at it tomorrow with a double-header beginning at 3 pm.