DENVER, Colo. -  The Regis University baseball team (3-2, 0-0 RMAC) returned to action for the second game of their home-opening series against the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (1-5, 0-0 MIAA) on Saturday afternoon. Regis fought hard but an eight run sixth inning brought them down, falling to the Lopers 16-8.

UNK got off to a quick start scoring three runs in the first two innings, but the Rangers responded with a three-run inning in the bottom of the second, tying the game at three apiece.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Lopers scored two runs on a single up the middle. RU once again had an answer as three straight singles from sophomore Connor Rochon (2-3, 2 runs), senior Brian Sture (2-3, 2 runs), and senior Dylan Navarro (3-3, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI's), knotting the score at five after four innings.

Regis fell into a major rut during the sixth inning as UNK pushed eight runs across, taking a nine-run lead after the top half of the inning. The Rangers scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a ground ball from redshirt-freshman Logan Heflebower, and a single from junior Josh Newell. 

The Lopers extended their lead by two runs after the seventh and eighth innings, but RU was only able to get back one of the runs in the bottom half of the ninth inning. UNK outhit Regis 21-12 on a day that the Rangers gave up 16 runs. 

RU used eight pitchers on the day, with sophomore Chris Quackenbush going four innings and allowing five runs on seven hits, striking out seven batter and not allowing a single walk. Junior Riley O'Brien (0-1) picked up the loss after surrendering one run, on two hits, and walking three batters in 0.2 innings pitched.

The Regis University baseball team and University of Nebraska-Kearney will play the final game of the three-game series tomorrow, February 21 at noon. All home events are streamed live and in High Definition by clicking on the Stretch Internet tab at www.regisrangers.com