OMAHA, Neb. - The University of Northern Iowa baseball team's losing streak has hit five games in Missouri Valley Conference action.

After UNI pinch-hitter Andy Steichen hammered a two-run home run in the seventh inning Friday night to tie the game, Creighton responded with a run in the bottom half of the frame for a 3-2 victory at Rosenblatt Stadium.

The Panthers, who have dropped five games by a run in Valley play, had eight hits and advanced nine runners into scoring position, but could only muster a pair of runs.

UNI starter Nick Kirk (3-3) took the loss, allowing two earned runs, five hits and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Panther reliever Zach Zirbel pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning, but UNI didn't record a hit over its final two at-bats.

Jason Summers was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored for UNI (13-17, 2-8 MVC).

After Creighton's Jimmy Swift led off the seventh with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball, he scored on Scott Thornburg's single back up the middle. Creighton improved to 16-15 overall and 8-2 in the conference.

Game 2 of the series is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday.

Northern Iowa 000 002 000 - 2 8 2

Creighton 002 000 10x -- 3 5 0

Nick Kirk, Zach Zirbel (7) and Jeff Taliaferro. Jeremy Hauer, Bob Lackovic (7), VanLeur (8) and Vitale. WP - Lackovic (3-0). LP - Kirk (3-3). S - VanLeur (2).