COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs sophomore Colin Cicere struck out eight batters in a six-inning start as the Mountain Lions (5-3) shut out Nebraska-Kearney (4-5) in the first home game in program history at Spurgeon Field. Matthew McDermott when two-of-three with two runs and Jamie Crabtree hit the first home run in the park in the fourth inning.

Cicere retired the Lopers in order in the fourth and fifth innings, and struck out three straight batters in the sixth after allowing two hits to open the inning. He was part of a pitching staff with Michael Gordon and Blake Williams that struck out 12 batters and allowed only one walk today.

Both teams recorded hits in their half of the first and second innings, and UCCS scored its first run after Tyler Keil scored on a double from Jeremy Hochmuth down the left field line. Crabtree hit a solo home run to left field in the fourth inning to start a six-run run inning for the Mountain Lions. McDermott added another run for the Mountain Lions in the fifth inning after a single by Scott Martinez.

UCCS has won four of its last five games and scored eight or more runs in each of the victories. Hochmuth and Efrain Medina both finished with a pair of hits and every Mountain Lion in the batting order finished with at least one hit today.

The Mountain Lions and Lopers will continue the four-game series with a pair of seven-inning games on Saturday at Spurgeon Field. The first game is scheduled to begin at noon.