A six-hit, 10 strikeout effort by Pack pitching not enough to deliver win.

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Apr. 1, 2011) - CSU-Pueblo couldn't convert key opportunities down the stretch against arguably the RMAC's top pitcher thus far this season, falling short in a 3-1 pitchers' duel to No. 29 Nebraska-Kearney.

Kearney ace Todd Stachura hurled a complete game win against the ThunderWolves, allowing nine hits and just one run, holding the Pack scoreless over the first six innings.

CSU-Pueblo, meanwhile, behind starter Cole Stephens (Sr., Amarillo, Tex.) and closer Tim Pomierski (Jr., Upland, Calif.), allowed only six Loper hits - but it was the timing of those hits that was the difference in the game, which saw Stephens and Pomierski combine for 10 strikeouts.

Stephens gave up a two-run home run to Jason Trulin in the fourth inning, a play after Chandler Klute reached following a strikeout, wild pitch, and ensuing throwing error on the play from catcher to first base.

The one bad pitch unfortunately defined the game for the Pack, which stranded seven runners, including one runner in a would-be huge 7th inning.

The Pack saw its first three runners reach base in the inning, which also included an RBI single by Kyle Wager (Sr., Globe, Ariz.), setting up the ThunderWolves with runners at first and second with none out.

But a caught stealing, followed by a pop out and a strikeout killed the ThunderWolves' best chance at a big inning, and thus, a chance to win the game.

CSU-Pueblo will face Nebraska-Kearney again Saturday when the two teams tangle in a doubleheader, with the first pitch underway at 1 p.m. at Rawlings Field.