Sunday, March 31, 2013

Happy Easter

For all the blessings we received from God and Jesus' resurrection, the B2R wishes everyone a very Happy Easter.


Go Cats!!
###

Post-season analysis - Play-offs start now for Northwest

According to the MIAA website, here are the 2013 baseball conference standings as of Sunday, March 31, 2013:  (The top 8 make the MIAA post-season tournament with a best-of-3 series on the higher seeded team's campus, the winners of this first round advance to the 2nd Round/final 4 in Kansas City)

1) Missouri Western - 17-1
2) Central Missouri - 18-3
3) Missouri Southern - 15-9
4) Pittsburgh State - 14-9
5) Nebraska Kearney - 15-11
6) Lindenwood - 11-9
7) Emporia State - 13-11
8) Northeastern State - 15-13
---------
9) Central Oklahoma - 13-13
10) Fort Hays State - 11-12
11) SW Baptist - 10-11
12) Northwest - 7-18
13) Truman - 6-20
14) Washburn 5-18
15) Lincoln - 2-14

Northwest has 18 conference games remaining on its schedule.  Based on previous seasons' final standings, the B2R presumes the final play-off spot will finish .500 in conference play.  In order for the Bearcats to finish .500 or better in the final standings, Northwest will have to go 15-3 in those remaining 18 games for a final conference record of 22-21 (winning percentage of .512).  Northwest's remaining conference opponents are presently ranked as follows:

14) Washburn - 2 games;
11) SW Baptist - 3 games;
7) Emporia State - 3 games;
5) Nebraska-Kearney - 2 games;
15) Lincoln - 3 games;
10) Fort Hays State - 2 games;
4) Pitt State - 3 games.

Northwest is in a play-off right now and it starts with the mid-week games versus Washburn.  The Cats need to win Game 1.  The games are in Maryville, school is back in session, so head out to the ballpark and give our 'Cats a home field advantage in a much-needed series.

Go Cats!!
###

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Series re-cap - Missouri Southern



The B2R is happy to report that it had a chance to finally attend live NCAA baseball action in 2013 (only half-way through the season).  It was a beautiful weekend in Maryville with 60 degree weather and the Bearcats wearing the home white uniforms.  There is nothing better than Bearcats, baseball, home white uniforms, and a sunny day.  Northwest played well in both Saturday games despite losing both.  Game 1 was a tug-of-war between two exemplary pitching performances by each team's starters.  The B2R was very impressed with Ryker Fox and Nathanial Horton.  Tyler Barth provided a crucial hold to close out the 6th and start the 7th innings.  A bang-bang play at the plate where Northwest's runner was tagged out at home after a terrific throw from the Southern right fielder preserved Southern's chances of winning the game in the bottom of the 7th inning.  In game 2, the hard-luck Bearcats lost a heart breaker in the final inning of the game.  Marcus Garrett was lights out in the game.  The best the B2R has seen him pitch.  Marcus held Southern to 1 hit through 6 innings.  Some tough luck errors in the final frame resulted in 4 runs scored, 3 of which were unearned.  In game 3, Southern got out to an early lead and added to it.  The Bearcats could not match the Southern track meet offense.  As a result, the Bearcats are swept at home.  From what the B2R saw, I'm proud of how the 'Cats played in the game.  The breaks were against the 'Cats on Saturday but the fact remains is that the team has put both Western (a top 20 team) and Southern (plus .500 conference record) on the ropes in 3 of the last 4 games.  The Cats have a huge week ahead as they battle for a post-season conference tournament spot in 2013.

Media reports -

Northwestbearcats.com - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0329.htm

Northwestbearcats.com - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0330.htm

Mssulions.com - http://www.mssulions.com/sports/bsb/2012-13/releases/201303293ye9l7

Mssulions.com - http://www.mssulions.com/sports/bsb/2012-13/releases/20130330p5abfz

In Game 1, Northwest lost 4-2 to Missouri Southern State University in an exciting game on the campus of Northwest Missouri State.  With the loss, Northwest fell to 9-19, 7-16 MIAA.  With the win, Missouri Southern advanced to 17-11, 13-9 MIAA.

Offensively, Northwest had a balanced attack with 6 different players all earning one hit each.  Ryan Abernathy, CF, went 1 for 5 with a run scored.  Brandon Huske, SS, went 1 for 4.  JJ Baccari, C, went 1 for 3 with a RBI and a walk.  Steven Garber went 1 for 3 with a RBI.  Paul Johnson, 2B, went 1 for 2 with 2 walks.  Eric McGlauflin, DH, went 1 for 2.  In total, Northwest scored 2 runs, 6 hits, 2 RBIs, 6 walks, 8 strike-outs, and 9 runners left on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 2 errors and did not execute a double-play.

Pitching, Ryker Fox earned the start and worked 5.2 innings, allowed 7 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 2 walks, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  In the first inning, Southern did not score a run and Northwest scored one run.  In the second inning, Southern tied the game at 1-1 and Northwest did not score any additional runs.  In the third inning, Southern did not score any additional runs and Northwest took the lead against by scoring a single run to advance the score 2-1 Northwest.  In the 4th inning, Southern tied the score 2-2 and Northwest did not score any additional runs.  Neither team scored in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th innings.  Ryker ran into a little trouble in the 6th inning, with 2 outs, and Tyler Barth came in as a relief pitcher.  In total, Ryker worked 5.2 innings, allowed 7 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 2 walks, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Tyler worked the 3rd out of the 6th inning, and the first out of the seventh inning.  In total, Barth worked 0.2 inning, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  With one out in the 7th inning, Horton came in the game and closed out the game.  Despite throwing a good game, Horton picked-up the loss to see his 2013 record fall to 0-2.  Southern scored 2 runs in the 9th and final frame to gain the lead 4-2.  Northwest could not score in the bottom of the 9th and lost the game.  In total, Horton worked 2.2 innings, allowed 1 hit, 2 runs (both earned), 3 walks, 5 strike-outs, 2 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 1 batter..

In game 2, Northwest lost 4-3 in a heartbreaking loss to Southern in a 7-inning game on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University.  With the loss, Northwest fell to 9-20, 7-17 MIAA.  With the win, Southern climbed to 18-11, 14-9 MIAA.

Offensively, Charlie Krueger led the way for the Bearcats with his 2 for 3 performance and scored a run.  Brandon Huske went 1 for 3 (a double) with a RBI and a run scored.  Cameron Bedard went 1 for 3 in the game.  JJ Baccari went 1 for 3 (a double) in the game, too.  Steven Garber went 1 for 3 with a RBI.  Alex Singleton went 1 for 2 with a RBI.  In total, Northwest scored 3 runs off of 7 hits, 3 RBIs, 0 walks, 3 strike-outs, and left 3 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 3 errors (Bedard, Huske, and Singleton) and did not execute a double-play in the game.

Pitching, Marcus Garrett suffered the hard-luck loss in an exemplary pitching performance.  Marcus earned the start, pitched a complete game, and was tagged for the loss to see his 2013 record fall to 2-2.  In total, Marcus worked 7.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, 4 runs (only 1 earned), 4 walks, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 1 batter.  In the game, Northwest jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after the first inning.  In the second, Southern did not score while Northwest added a run.  Neither team would score in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th innings.  Marcus allowed only 1 hit through 6 innings.  In the 7th inning, Southern scored 4 runs off of 2 Northwest errors of which 3 were unearned.  Northwest could not score any runs in the bottom of the 7th and final frame resulting in the loss for the Bearcats.

In game 3, Northwest lost 11-4 to the Missouri Southern Lions in a 9-inning game on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University to fall to 9-21, 7-18 MIAA.  With the win, Missouri Southern State University has won 8 consecutive games and saw their record climb to 19-11, 15-9 MIAA.

Offensively, JJ Baccari, C, went 2 for 5 (including a home run) with a RBI and a run scored.  Steven Garber went 2 for 5 with a run scored.  Paul Johnson, LF/2B, went 2 for 3 (including a double) with a RBI and a walk.  Brandon Huske, SS, went 1 for 3 with a RBI and a walk.  Charlie Krueger, LF, went 1 for 3 with a run scored.  Eric McGlauflin, DH, went 1 for 4 with a RBI.  Alex Singleton, RF/CF, went 1 for 4 in the game with a stolen base.  In total, Northwest scored 4 runs off of 10 hits, 4 RBIs, 3 walks, 7 strike-outs, and left 11 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed one error (Bedard) and did not execute a double-play in the game.

Pitching, Chase Anderson earned the start but picked-up the loss to see his 2013 record fall to 3-4.  In the first inning, Missouri Southern scored two runs but Northwest did not score any runs.  Chase cruised through the 2nd and 3rd innings without allowing any runs.  Northwest also did not score any runs in the 2nd or 3rd innings.  Heading into the Top of the 4th inning, Southern led Northwest 2-0.  In the Top of the 4th inning, Chase ran into trouble and allowed 3 runs to close out his day for the Bearcats.  Northwest did not score any runs in the bottom of the 4th inning.  In total, Chase worked 4.0 innings, allowed 9 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 0 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  In the Top of the 5th inning, Brian Schmiedt came in relief of Anderson and did not allow any runs in the inning.  Northwest scored 1 run in the Bottom of the 5th inning to close the gap to 5-1.  In the Top of the 6th inning, Schmiedt ran into trouble and allowed 2 runs and was pulled after getting 2 outs in the frame.  In total, Schmiedt worked 1.2 innings, allowed 4 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 2 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Blane Reutter came in the game in the 6th inning with two outs and closed out the inning.  In the Bottom of the 6th inning, Northwest scored 2 runs to close the gap to 7-3.  In the top of the 7th inning, Reutter allowed 3 runs in the frame but Northwest did not score any additional runs in the Bottom of the 7th inning.  In the Top of the 8th inning, Reutter did not allow any runs.  Northwest scored one run in the Bottom of the 8th inning to close the gap to 10-4.  In the Top of the 9th inning, Southern scored one additional run on Reutter but Northwest could not score any additional runs.  In total, Reutter worked 3.1 innings, allowed 4 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 2 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, 0 hit by pitch.

Next up for the Bearcats, Northwest concludes its home-stand with a mid-week double-header versus Washburn in Maryville followed by a weekend series on the road at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar.

Go Cats!!
###

Friday, March 29, 2013

Series Re-cap - Missouri Western 2

Series re-cap - Missouri Western 2

Media reports -

Northwestbearcats.com - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0328.htm

Gogriffons.com - http://www.gogriffons.com/news/2013/3/28/BB_0328134952.aspx?path=baseball

Northwest lost game 1 to Missouri Western by a score 6-1 in a 7-inning game on the campus of Missouri Western in St. Joseph to fall to 9-17, 7-14 MIAA.  The game was the first game of a double-header and the 3rd of the 4th game series against the Griffons.  Northwest and Missouri Western played two mid-week double-headers in consecutive weeks.  With the win, Missouri Western's record advanced to 20-4, 15-1 MIAA.

Offensively, JJ Baccari, C, led the way for the Bearcats with his 2 for 3 performance at the plate.  Brandon Huske, SS, went 1 for 2 in the game.  Charlie Krueger, LF, went 1 for 1 in the game.  Paul Johnson, LF/2b, went 1 for 3 with a run scored.  In total, Northwest scored 1 run with 5 hits, 1 RBI, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, and 4 runners left on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed one error (Swain) and executed a double-play in the game.

Pitching, Austin Warren earned the start and the loss to see his 2013 record fall to 1-4.  Austin pitched a complete game.  Western got to Austin early and scored 3 runs in the bottom of the first.  Austin settled down though and pitched a scoreless 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings.  With the score at 3-1 Western headed into the bottom of the 5th inning, Western scored 3 additional runs in the inning to advance the score to 6-1.  Northwest could not score any additional runs in the rest of the game and Austin pitched a scoreless bottom of the 6th inning.  In total, Austin worked 6.0 innings, allowed 8 hits, 6 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 4 strike-outs, 3 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

In game 4, Northwest lost 6-5 to Western to fall to 9-18, 7-15 MIAA on the campus of Missouri Western.  With the win, Western's 2013 record advanced to 21-4, 16-1 MIAA.

Offensively, Ryan AbernathyCF, went 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs in the game.  Paul Johnson, 2B, went 2 for 4 with a run scored.  Steven Garber, 1B, went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs, a run scored, and a walk.  Cameron Bedard, 3B, went 1 for 4 with a walk.  Charlie Krueger, LF, went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI.  Derek Meyer, C, went 1 for 4 with a stolen base, and a run scored.  In total, Northwest 5 runs, 8 hits, 5 RBIs, 4 walks, 5 strike-outs, and left 9 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest did not commit an error and did not execute a double-play.

Pitching, Rob Henrichs earned the start but was tagged for the loss to fall to 0-1 in 2013.  Northwest scored a run in the top of the first inning.  Western scored a single run in the bottom of the first inning.  In the 2nd inning, neither team scored any runs.  Northwest did not score any runs in the top of the 3rd inning.  In the bottom of the 3rd, Western scored two additional runs.  In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Blane Reutter came in relief of Henrichs and finished out the 3rd inning.  In total, Henrichs worked 2.2 innings, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 3 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, and hit 0 batters.  With the score at 3-1 going into the 4th inning, neither team scored any runs.  In the top of the 5th inning, Northwest did not score any runs.  In the bottom of the 5th inning, Western scored one run to increase their lead to 4-1.  In the 6th inning, Northwest did not score any runs.  In the bottom of the 6th inning, Western scored one run to increase their lead to 5-1.  In the top of the 7th inning, Northwest scored 2 runs and closed the gap 5-3.  In the bottom of the 7th inning, Western scored one run to advance their lead to 6-3.  In the top of the 8th inning, Northwest scored a run to close the gap to 6-4.  In total, Reutter worked 4.1 innings, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 2 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Tyler Barth came in the game to pitch the bottom of the 8th inning.  Western did not score any runs to keep the score 6-4 Western.  In the top of the 9th, Northwest scored one run but it was not enough to win the game.  In total, Barth worked 1.0 inning, allowed 1 hit,  runs, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Final score 6-5 Western over the Bearcats.

Next-up, Northwest takes on Missouri Southern this weekend for a 3-game series in Maryville.

Go Cats!!
###

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Kudos to the Bearcats Men's basketball team


Photo courtesy of Northwestbearcats.com
A hearty B2R shout-out to Head Coach Ben McCollum and the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats men's basketball team for a terrific season and an inspiring performance during the MIAA Post-Season tournament in Kansas City.  The Bearcats fell in the Championship game to the University of Central Missouri in Over-Time.  Down with injuries, but not with fight and spirit, the Bearcats made all fans of NWMSU, proud.

Its not baseball, but it deserves an "At-a-boy" from the B2R.

Read more by clicking on the link below:

NorthwestBearcats.com

Go Cats!!
###

Gogriffons.com - GRIFFON BASEBALL MOVES DOUBLEHEADER WITH NORTHWEST TO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

St. Joseph, Mo. - Missouri Western baseball coach Charles "Buzz" Verduzco has announced that their baseball home doubleheader with the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats has been moved from Tuesday, March 26 to Wednesday, March 27. The two teams will play a doubleheader at 2/4 pm from the MWSU Baseball Field on the campus of Missouri Western State University.

Read more by clicking on the link below:

http://www.gogriffons.com/news/2013/3/25/BB_0325133239.aspx?path=baseball

Monday, March 25, 2013

Series Preview - Missouri Western 2

Series Preview - Missouri Western 2

The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team plays a mid-week double-header against Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, with the first pitch of game one set for 4pm on the campus of Missouri Western.  Northwest just swept the Truman State Bulldogs by winning three straight games in Kirksville, Missouri, to advance their 2013 record to 9-16, 7-13 MIAA.  Missouri Western has won 18 of their last 19 games and lost their first conference game last weekend versus Central Oklahoma.  The Griffons are ranked #20 in the NCAA Division 2 baseball poll in the most recent poll.  The Griffons 2013 record is 19-4, 6-1 at home, 9-3 on the road, 4-0 at neutral sites, and 14-1 in the MIAA.  The Griffons' offense is on a remarkable streak.  It is statistically the most productive offense the MIAA has seen in some time.  The Griffons' batters are getting on base nearly half of the time.  While the Griffons' defense is suspect, the pitching is also very solid.  The Bearcats' pitchers must keep the Griffon batters uncomfortable and off-balance to limit their effectiveness.  The pitchers must pound the strike zone and not give away free passes to the bases.  The Bearcats' defense must help the Bearcats' pitchers by not giving extra outs in a frame.  The Bearcats offense is going to have to run with the Western offense's nearly 10 runs per game average.  The keys to success for the Bearcats include (1) avoiding allowing the big inning, (2) keep the Griffons off the board early in the game, and (3) score some runs early to pressure the Griffons' pitching staff and defense.

                                               NWMSU                        MWSU
Batting Average                       .267                                .389
Slugging %                              .384                                 .597
On-base %                             .361                                 .460
Stolen Bases/Attempts            25/35                                31/42
Fielding %                               .967                                 .954
ERA                                        7.20                                 4.39

Go Cats!!
###

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Bearcats Shaping up


Series Re-cap:  Truman State University

The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team swept the Truman State Bulldogs by winning all three games of the series this weekend.  Northwest played exemplary offense and defense in the series.  Northwest's pitching was terrific.  The Bearcats unloaded on the Bulldogs this weekend.  I thought the Rocky training scenes were appropriate for this report because the team has taken some punches, had some adversity, but is battling through the adversity.  Like Rocky Balboa getting better with the guidance of Apollo Creed, the Bearcats played better in all phases of the game this weekend.

Media reports -

Maryville Daily Forum - http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/article/20130321/SPORTS/130329649/1020/SPORTS

Northwestbearcats.com (Game 1) - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bb0322.htm

Northwestbearcats.com (Games 2 & 3) - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0323.htm

Trumanbulldogs.com - http://www.trumanbulldogs.com/news/2013/3/22/BB_0322135848.aspx

The Bearcats won game 1 by a score of 8-3 over the Truman State University Bulldogs on Friday, March 22, 2013, in Kirksville, Missouri.  With the win, Northwest's 2013 record advanced to 7-16, 5-13 MIAA.  With the loss, Truman fell to 6-16, 6-15 MIAA in 2013.

Offensively, Northwest had a balanced attack with 7 different players contributing to the 7 total hits in the game.  In addition, 5 different players earned 6 walks in the game.  Ryan Abernathy, CF, went 1 for 3 (including a double) with a run scored and two walks.  JJ Baccari, DH, went 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs.  Steven Garber, 1B, went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs and a walk.  Paul Johnson, 2B, earned his first start at 2B this season (at least the B2R thinks its the 1st start), and went 1 for 4 with a RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored.  Brandon Huske, SS, went 1 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a walk.  Cameron Bedard, 3B, went 1 for 4 (including a double) with 3 runs scored, 2 stolen bases, and a walk.  Charlie Krueger, LF, went 1 for 4.  In total, Northwest scored 8 runs off of 7 hits, 5 RBIs, 6 walks, 4 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest did not commit an error and executed one double play.

Pitching, Marcus Garrett earned the start and the win to see his 2013 record advance to 2-1 in a superb performance.  The Bearcats offense got on the board early in the game by scoring 5 runs in the 2nd inning.  Marcus did not allow a run until the 4th inning and it was a single run at that.  Marcus allowed another single run in the 5th inning to see the Northwest lead narrow to 5-2 heading into the top of the 6th inning.  After both teams failed to score any more runs in the 6th inning, the Bearcats scored 2 more runs in the top of the 7th inning.  Marcus finished his 7th and final inning without allowing another run.  In total, Marcus worked 7.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 2 batters.  Blane Reutter came in to relieve Marcus in the 8th inning and did not allow a run in the 8th inning.  In the Top of the 9th, Northwest added an additional run.  Blane Reutter closed out the game and pitched the 9th inning.  Blane allowed one run to Truman in the 9th and final frame.  In total, Blane worked 2.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 1 balk, and hit 1 batter.

The Bearcats won game 2 by a score of 8-0 over the Truman State University Bulldogs on Saturday, March 23, 2013, in Kirksville, Missouri.  With the win, Northwest's 2013 record advanced to 8-16, 6-13 MIAA.  With the loss, Truman fell to 6-17, 6-16 MIAA in 2013.

Offensively, Northwest was led by Ryan Abernathy, Charlie Krueger, and Eric McLaughlin.  Ryan Abernathy, CF, went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, a stolen base, and a run scored.  Eric McLaughlin, DH, went 2 for 4 (including a home run) with a RBI and 2 runs scored.  Charlie Krueger, LF, went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.  Brandon Huske, SS, went 1 for 3 (including a home run), a RBI, a walk, and a run scored.  JJ Baccari, C, went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored.  Steven Garber, 1B, went 1 for 2 with a walk.  Eric Swain, 3B, went 1 for 3 with a RBI and a walk.  In total, Northwest scored 8 runs off of 10 hits, 7 RBIs, 3 walks, 6 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest did not commit an error and executed one double play.

Pitching, Ryker Fox earned the start and complete game victory to see his 2013 record advance to 2-4.  The Northwest offense scored a run in the 1st inning but did not add to that total until the 5th inning.  Ryker nursed a 1-0 lead from the 1st through the 4th inning.  With the score 2-0 heading to the 6th inning, Northwest's offense exploded for 6 additional runs.  With the 8-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th inning, Ryker Fox blew through the Truman bats and blanked the Bulldogs for the complete game shut-out.  In total, Fox worked 7.0 innings, allowed 5 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 3 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

The Bearcats won game 3 by a score of 15-8 over the Truman State University Bulldogs on Saturday, March 23, 2013, in Kirksville, Missouri, to complete the 3-game series sweep.  With the win, Northwest's 2013 record advanced to 9-16, 7-13 MIAA.  With the loss, Truman fell to 6-18, 6-17 MIAA in 2013.

Offensively, Alex Singleton and Steven Garber led the way for the Bearcats.  Alex Singleton, RF, went 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 stolen bases, and a run scored.  Steven Garber, 1B, went 3 for 4 with a RBI and 2 runs scored.  Cameron Bedard, 2B, went 2 for 6 (including a double and a home run), 2 RBIs, a stolen base, and 2 runs scored.  Eric Swain, 3B, went 2 for 5 (including a home run) with 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and a walk.  Eric McLaughlin, DH, went 2 for 6 (including a home run) with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored in the game.  Ryan Abernathy, CF, went 1 for 5 with 2 RBIs in the game.  Brandon Huske, SS, went 1 for 4 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.  JJ Baccari, C, went 1 for 3 (including a double) with 2 runs scored.  Derek Meyer, C substitute for JJ Baccari, went 1 for 2 with a run scored.  Charlie Krueger, LF, earned a RBI in the game.  Paul Johnson, LF substitute for Krueger in the game, went 1 for 2 with a run scored.  In total, Northwest scored 15 runs off of 17 hits, 11 RBIs, 4 walks, 2 strike-outs, and left 10 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed one error (Huske) and executed one double play in the game.  For the series, Northwest only committed one error and executed 3 double plays.

Pitching, Chase Anderson earned the start and victory to see his 2013 record advance to 3-3.  In the game, neither team scored a run in the 1st inning.  Northwest scored 2 runs in the top of the 2nd inning while Truman remained scoreless.  The Bearcats' offense exploded for 5 runs in the 3rd inning while the Bulldogs remained scoreless.  Through three innings, Northwest lead 7-0 and Chase was cruising along very well.  In the 4th inning, Northwest scored 2 additional runs and Truman finally broke through with a single run in the bottom of the frame.  Northwest added another run in the 5th while the Bulldogs did not score meaning Northwest led 10-1 heading into the 6th inning.  Northwest added two additional runs in the 6th inning.  Chase finally ran into trouble in the bottom of the 6th inning and allowed 3 runs.  Following the 6th inning, Northwest led 12-3.  In the 7th inning, Northwest did not score any runs in the frame.  Chase earned one out in the 7th but ran into trouble.  In total, Chase Anderson worked 6.1 innings, allowed 10 hits, 6 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 3 strike outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Rob Henrichs relieved Chase in the 7th inning and closed out the inning for him.  In total, Rob worked 0.2 inning, allowed 1 hit, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Northwest scored 1 run in the 8th inning.  Tyler Barth came in the bottom of the 8th inning and worked one inning without allowing a run.  In total, Tyler worked 1.0 inning, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 1 strike-out, 0 balks, 0 wild pitches, and hit 0 batters.  In the 9th inning, Northwest scored 2 runs and Truman did not score any runs in the frame.  Nathanial Horton came in to close out the game in the 9th inning and worked a complete inning.  In total, Horton worked 1.0 inning, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 balks, 0 wild pitches, and hit 1 batter.

Next for the Bearcats, a two-game mid-week series with Missouri Western in St. Joseph on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.

Go Cats!!
###

Friday, March 22, 2013

NorthwestBearcats.com - Baseball games moved up



MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State baseball team will head to Kirksville, Mo. to take on Truman state for a three game series starting Friday.

The Bearcats were scheduled to play Truman for a Saturday Sunday series but moved the start of the series up to Friday.

You can read more by clicking on the link below:

NorthwestBearcats.com

Go Cats!!
###

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Bearcat Coaches Show Live at Carson's Sports Grille - Special Guest Tyler Durant

Bearcat baseball player Tyler Durant speaks with the media during the Bearcat Coaches Show Live at Carson's Sports Grille on Thursday, March 21, 2013.
KXCV, the flagship station for the Bearcat Radio Network, presents the Bearcat Coaches Show live at Carson's Sports Grille every Thursday. A Special question and answer session will allow you to talk directly with our Northwest coaches....and a "Meet Our Bearcat Student Athletes" segment will be a highlight of this year's show.  

Thursday, March 21, 6 p.m. Carson's Sports Grille 310 North Main Maryville. This week's special guests include: Northwest Baseball Coach Darin Loe, Northwest Women's Softball Coach Ryan Anderson and Student Athletes this week: Jenna Creger of the Northwest women's softball team and Tyler Durant of the Bearcat Baseball Team. Special give-a-way prizes each week courtesy of the Student Body in Maryville. You can join us live every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Carson's Sports Grille or listen to 90.5 FM, 88.9 FM or online at www.kxcv.org and www.northwestbearcats.com..


Go Cats!!
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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Success in Baseball = How you deal with adversity


Photo courtesy of Northwestbearcats.com

The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats baseball team has had a tough start to the 2013 season.  Following the mid-week sweep by the Missouri Western Griffons, the Bearcats are 6-16 overall, 4-13 MIAA.  Due to snow, the Bearcats have played all but 4 games on the road.  The team is frustrated.  The Bearcats have struggled in all phases - pitching, offense, and defense.

Being successful in baseball means dealing with adversity.  How you deal with adversity is directly related to how successful you will be in baseball - and life.  Here is fact: every person that has played the game of baseball has been a consistent failure.  The greatest offensive star in baseball, Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, finished the 1941 season with a .406 batting average, which meant he failed nearly 60% of the time.  Nearly seven decades later, no other major league baseball player has failed at or less, since.  Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs...and struck out 1,330 times.  Cy Young, of which all baseball pitchers covet to aspire to, lost 316 games as a major leaguer.

The reality in baseball, and life, is that success in both are directly related to how you manage failure and adversity.  Baseball is the fabric of our Country's heritage because at its roots is the fundamental fact that a collective team effort requires individual responsibility, and personal sacrifice, for the greater good.  In many ways baseball is American heritage because America's heritage is agriculture, America's family farms.  Draw parallels with Paul Harvey's poem "So God made a farmer":

"It had to be somebody who’d plow deep and straight and not cut corners; somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed, and rake and disk and plow and plant and tie the fleece and strain the milk and replenish the self-feeder and a hard week’s work with a five-mile drive to church."
"Somebody who would bale a family together with the soft, strong bonds of sharing; who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply with smiling eyes when his son says he want to spend his life doing what dad does – So God made a Farmer"
Personal sacrifice for the greater good.  For family.  Once the batting order is set, your turn at the plate will come.  Baseball doesn't permit a game to be dominated by star players whose teammates are simply along for the ride.  It takes time and patience to understand baseball.  Becoming proficient at its skills are hard to do.  Dare I say, very hard.  A round ball, a round bat, both moving too fast to think.

But baseball is great because natural physical gifting and athleticism are no predictors of baseball success.  Look at the major league baseball hall of fame - players do not possess amazing size, strength, speed.  Hall of Famers are short, skinny, fat, slow, fast, muscular, flabby, intelligent, or ignorant.

Learning to succeed in baseball is learning to persevere in the face of constant adversity.  Constant pressure.

If the Bearcats are going to shift the direction of this season they will need the kind of moral courage that keeps persisting in the face of inevitable and constant adversity.  You see, the key to the Bearcats' success, baseball's fundamental bedrock, is the Cats need to have confidence.  If they don't get two hits in today's game, they'll get them in the next game.  Every outside-strike called by a umpire gets the Cats closer to a home run.  Persistent daily commitment to succeed in the face of constant adversity, driven by confidence, must prevail.

The Bearcats cannot win every game from here to the end of the season.  No batter will bat 1.000.  No pitcher will go without a loss.  But really, is a bad break, a bad call, a bad bounce, a bad game, or a benching, really adversity?  Is it really "failure" when its a part of the game?  We know adversity will happen in every play of every baseball game.  That's what makes the game compelling.  What makes life worth living.  One day the pressure, adversity or failure in baseball will turn to adversity in life.  A disputed strike zone will turn into a mortgage payment.  Playing time will turn into a marriage with your sweetheart.  A bang-bang play will turn into an infant and the sudden realization someone's life is your ultimate responsibility.  And when it comes to life, there cannot be failure.  So really, where is the real pressure?  Where is the real adversity?  In baseball, today's error turns into tomorrow's game saving double-play.  Today's strike-out will turn into tomorrow's game-winning RBI.  Until the Bearcats can embrace the adversity in baseball, the failure in baseball, and have the hope and confidence to concentrate in the present moment, then the team's performance will remain at its present level.



Go Cats!!
###

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Series re-cap - Missouri Western

Photo courtesy of Northwestbearcats.com
Northwest lost both games of a mid-week double-header against Missouri Western on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, on a cold day in Maryville.  The two games against Western, plus the two games the previous weekend against Midland University and Waldorf College, concluded the Bearcats only home games the team has had during the 2013 NCAA regular season.  All other previously scheduled home games have been moved due to weather or unplayable conditions in the Maryville area.  Regarding the Western series, the Griffons stayed red-hot and won their respective 15th and 16th consecutive games on Tuesday against the Bearcats behind tremendous hitting and very solid pitching.  In game 1, the Griffons jumped out to an early lead by plating 5 runs in the first and chasing the Bearcats starter after one inning.  In game 2, the Griffons and Bearcats fought through a 1-1 tie until a 5-run fourth inning blew open the game for the Griffons.

Media accounts -

Northwestbearcats.com - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0319.htm

Gogriffons.com - http://www.gogriffons.com/news/2013/3/19/BB_0319132601.aspx?path=baseball


In Game 1, Northwest lost to Western 10-4 in a seven-inning game to fall to 6-15, 4-12 MIAA.  The Bearcats got down early in this one and could not stop the bleeding late in the game.  Northwest clawed its way back in the game to be down 8-4 heading into the 6th inning but could not stop the Griffons from scoring additional runs, or score additional runs for themselves.

Offensively, the Cats only managed to club three hits in the game.  JJ Baccari got the start at catcher and went 1 for 3 (a double) with 1 RBI and a walk.  Steven Garber got the start at first base and went 1 for 2 (a home run) with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, and a walk.  Alex Singleton got the start in right field and went 1 for 2 with 1 run scored and a walk.  Despite going without a hit in two official plate appearances, Ryan Abernathy earned two walks and scored a run.  Despite going without a hit in two official plate appearances, Brandon Huske earned two walks, stole a base, and a RBI.  Eric McGlauflin got the start as DH, went without a hit, but earned a walk and a RBI in the game.  In total, Northwest scored four runs off of three hits, four RBIs, 9 walks, 7 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, the Bearcats committed one error (Brady) and did not execute a double play.

Pitching, Blane Reutter got the start but had a tough outing and saw his record fall to 1-3 in 2013.  Blane only pitched the first inning and allowed 5 runs.  In total, Blane worked 1.0 inning, allowed 6 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  The Griffons scored 5 runs in the top of the first inning but the Cats did not score any.  Heading into the 2nd inning, Rob Heinrichs came in relief of Reutter and worked 4.0 innings, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 3 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 1 batters.  Heading into the top of the 6th inning, the Cats scratched in a few runs and trailed the Griffons 8-4.  Patrick Brady relieved Heinrichs in the top of the 6th inning but had a tough day.  Brady faced 5 batters but only recorded one out.  In total, Brady worked 0.1 inning, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 1 batter.  Tyler Barth came in the game with 1 out in the 6th inning and closed out the game.  In total, Barth faced 6 batters, worked 1.2 innings, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

In Game 2, Northwest lost to Western 7-2 in a nine-inning game to fall to 6-16, 4-13 MIAA.  With the game tied 1-1, Northwest could not overcome a 5-run fourth inning by the Griffons.  The Bearcats' offense struggled to plate many runs and only managed to score a single run in the 2nd and 7th innings despite 3 errors by Western.

Offensively, Steven Garber led the way for the Bearcats with his 2 for 4 (including a double) performance at the plate.  Steven also scored two runs.  Derek Meyer earned the start at catcher and went 1 for 3 with a RBI.  Alex Singleton earned the start in right field and went 1 for 4 with a RBI.  Eric Swain (double), Ryan Abernathy, and Brandon Huske all earned a hit in the game, too.  In total, Northwest two runs off of eight hits, two RBIs, 0 walks, five strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed one error in the game (Swain).  Northwest did not execute a double-play.

Pitching, Austin Warren earned the start in the game but could not escape a rough 4th inning to pick-up the loss in the game and see his 2013 record fall to 1-3.  In total, Warren worked 6.0 innings, allowed 12 hits, 7 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 8 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 1 balk, and did not hit a batter.  The game was tied 1-1 heading into the 4th inning when the Griffons offense exploded for 5 more runs to expand the lead to 6-1 heading into the bottom of the 4th inning.  Northwest's offense could not respond in the bottom of the 4th.  To Warren's credit, he hung in there and battled through the 5th inning without allowing any more runs.  Northwest did not score any runs in the bottom of the 5th inning.  In Warren's final frame, he allowed 1 more run in the 6th inning.  Brian Schmiedt came in relief of Warren in the 7th inning and worked both the 7th and 8th innings.  In total, Schmiedt worked 2.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Nathanial Horton came in to close out the game in the 9th inning.  In total, he worked 1.0 inning, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.

Next for the Bearcats, Northwest travels to Kirksville to face the Truman State Bulldogs in a 3-game weekend series.

Go Cats!!
###

Monday, March 18, 2013

Series Preview - Missouri Western



Northwest plays Missouri Western on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, in Maryville, on a double-header commencing at 1 o'clock p.m. at Bearcat baseball field.  There will be a single 7-inning game and a second 9-inning game.  The game has been moved up due to forecasted snowy weather conditions in the Maryville area later in the week.

Missouri Western is on a remarkable start to the 2013 season.  Western has a overall record of 15-3, 4-0 in home games, 7-3 in road games, 4-0 in neutral games, and a perfect 10-0 in the MIAA.  Western's strength is its incredible offense with 4 players (both full-time and part-time players) batting .500 or better, plus an additional 4 players (both full-time and part-time) batting .400 or better, plus two more players batting .300 or better.  Defensively, the Griffons are an average fielding bunch with a team fielding percentage of .957.  Pitching, Westerns boasts a team ERA of 4.52, 99 walks and 60 strike-outs.  Western has won 14 straight games.

Northwest Missouri State Bearcats baseball team enters 2013 season with a 6-14 record, 2-2 in home games, 3-8 on the road, 1-4 at neutral site games, and 4-11 in the MIAA.  The Bearcats have won 4 of the last 6 games.  Northwest's offense has 4 players batting .300 or better.  Northwest is fielding a respectable .963 percentage as a team.  Northwest's pitching has struggled but is improving and presently stands at 7.46.

                                 NWMSU                           MWSU
Batting                       .264                                   .393
Slugging                     .371                                   .618
On-base                    .359                                   .466
Stolen bases              17                                       25
Fielding                     .963                                    .957
ERA                         7.46                                    4.52
K/BB                        127/67                                60/99

Go Cats!!
###

Northwestbearcats.com - Bearcat baseball changes date vs. Missouri Western



MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State baseball team will move its double-header with Missouri Western up a day early to Tuesday, as they try and miss expected cold weather later in the week.

Read more by clicking on the link below:

http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0318.htm

Go Cats!!
###

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Northwest wins 2 games in a set of non-conference match-ups

Northwest wins two games in a set of non-conference match-ups on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Maryville.

Media reports -

Northwest - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0316.htm

Midland - http://www.midlandathletics.com/sport/0/3.php

Waldorf - http://www.waldorfwarriors.com/article/608.php

In Game 1 versus Midland, Northwest won 3-0 with a exemplary pitching performance by Ryker Fox, Blane Reutter, and Nathanial Horton.  Offensively, Tyler Durant and JJ Baccari led the way with each earning 2 hits in the game.  Durant went 2 for 4 with a run scored.  Baccari went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.  Cameron Bedard and Alex Singleton both earned a hit in the game, too.  In total, the Bearcats scored 3 runs off of 6 hits, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, and 6 strike-outs.  The Cats left 6 runners on base.

Defensively, the Cats did not commit an error.

Pitching, Ryker Fox picked-up his first win as a Bearcat to see his 2013 record advance to 1-4 after a thrilling performance.  In total, Ryker worked 6.2 innings, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 11 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Blane Reutter came in the 7th to relieve Ryker and worked into the 9th inning.  In total, Blane allowed 3 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Nathanial Horton came in the 9th inning and picked-up his 3rd save of 2013.  In total, Horton worked 0.1 inning, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 balks, 0 wild pitches, and did not hit a batter.

In Game 2 versus Waldorf, Northwest won 5-1 to advance its 2013 record to 6-14, 4-11 MIAA.

Offensively, Tyler Durant led the way for the Bearcats with his 3 for 4 performance at the plate.  Tyler also batted in 3 runs, too, while playing left field.  Derek Meyer is really coming along at the catcher position and went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and a run scored.  Cameron Bedard, Steven Garber, and Eric Swain all earned a hit in the game.  Swain went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.  In total, the Bearcats scored 5 runs off of 8 hits, 5 RBIs, 4 walks, 7 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed one error by a pitcher.  Northwest did not execute a double-play.

Pitching, a two-headed monster pitching performance for the Bearcats against Waldorf was the highlight of the game.  Chase Anderson earned the start and picked-up his 2nd win of 2013 to see his record advance to 2-3.  In total, Chase worked 4.2 innings, allowed 5 hits, 1 earned run, 3 walks, 4 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and he hit 1 batter.  Brian Schmiedt came in to relieve Chase in the 5th inning and picked-up his first save of 2013 and as a Bearcat.  In total, Brian worked 4.1 innings, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 2 batters.

Next for Northwest, Missouri Western comes to Maryville for a double-header for the mid-week game.  The game is currently set for Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at 1pm.

Go Cats!!
###

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Mid-week Re-cap - Fort Hays State

Mid-week re-cap - Fort Hays State

Media release -

Northwest - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0313.htm

FHSU - http://fhsuathletics.com/news/2013/3/13/BB_0313134734.aspx?path=baseball

The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team lost both games against Fort Hays State this week to fall to 4-14, 4-11 MIAA in the 2013 season.  The scheduling gurus did the Bearcats no favors with a mid-week road series to Hays, Kansas.  The team returned to Maryville approximately 3 o'clock in the morning.

In Game 1, Northwest lost 3-0 to Fort Hays to fall to 4-13, 4-10 MIAA.

Offensively, Brandon Huske led the way for the Bearcats with his 2 for 3 performance and a stolen base.  Abernathy, Bedard (a double), Durant (stolen base), Baccari, and Garber all earned a hit in the game.  In total, the Bearcats earned 7 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, and left 6 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed one error (Warren) and executed one double-play.

Pitching, Austin Warren earned the start but pick-up a tough luck loss to see his 2013 record fall to 1-2.  In total, Austin worked 5.1 innings, allowed 10 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Blane Reutter came in to close out the 6th and final frame and worked 0.2 innings, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

In Game 2, Northwest lost 11-3 to fall to 4-14, 4-11 MIAA in 2013.

Offensively, the 'Cats were led by Tyler Durant's 2 for 4 performance with a RBI.  Eric Swain went 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs and a walk.  Abernathy, Huske (a double), Bedard, Krueger, Meyer, and Garber (a double) all earned a hit in the game.  In total, Northwest scored 3 runs off of 10 hits, 3 RBIs, 4 walks, 4 strike-outs, and left 11 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed one error (Bedard) and did not execute a double-play.

Pitching, Marcus Garrett earned the start and worked 4.0 innings, allowed 7 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 2 walks, 5 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Chase Anderson came in relief of Marcus in the 5th inning but had a tough outing.  In total, Chase Anderson worked 1.1 innings, allowed 6 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), 2 walks, 0 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Chase got in trouble in the 6th inning and Brian Schmiedt came in to close out the inning.  In total, Schmiedt worked 0.2 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Ryker Fox came in to pitch the 7th and 8th innings and worked 2.0 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

Next for the Bearcats, Northwest plays Bearcat Baseball alumnus Jordan Bischel and the Midland University Warriors baseball team, as well as Waldorff College, on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Go Cats!!
###

Monday, March 11, 2013

NorthwestBearcats.com: Diamond Bearcats move twin bill

Maryville, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State baseball team will have an extra day off as field conditions continue to dry forcing the Bearcats and Fort Hays State to move their double-header to Wednesday.

 Originally scheduled for a Tuesday twin bill, FHSU officials have decided field conditions need an extra day moving the series back a day.  First pitch Wednesday is set for 2 p.m. at Larks Park in Hays, Kansas.

Read more by clicking the link below:

NorthwestBearcats.com

Go Cats!!
###

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Series Preview - Fort Hays State

Series Preview - Fort Hays State

The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats baseball team plays a 2-game double header against Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.  Northwest swept Washburn in Topeka in a mid-week clash last week.  The Bearcats 3-game series against the Central Missouri Mules was cancelled due to weather conditions.  The 'Cats are 4-12, 4-9 MIAA so far in the 2013 NCAA regular season.  The Fort Hays Tigers are 8-7 in 2013 and just finished a weekend series against Emporia State.

                                                                   NWMSU                     FHSU
Batting Average                                          .266                              .347
Runs                                                           5.375 runs per game     7.77 runs per game
Slugging %                                                  .389                             .479
Walks                                                         4.06 per game              3.38 per game
Strike Outs                                                 5.19 per game              6.92 per game
On-base %                                                 .369                             .415
Errors                                                         1.5 errors per game      1.85 per game
Fielding %                                                   .959                            .948
ERA                                                           8.32                             7.09

The Tigers are a free-swinging offensive bunch.  Hopefully the Bearcats pitching staff can expand the zone and get the Tigers to swing at bad pitches.  It certainly is worth seeing how patient the Tigers will be considering they strike out nearly one time per inning and draw nearly one less walk per game.  The Tigers struggle fielding the ball and the pitching staff has not blown the doors off of anybody.  If the Bearcats pitching and defense can execute, the 'Cats can get out out of Hays with a victory or two.

Go Cats!!
###

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Northwestbearcats - Bearcats postpone home opener & Tuesday Interview with Coach Darin Loe

Bearcats postpone home opener

Maryville, Mo - After taking two wins from Washburn on Thursday the Northwest Missouri State baseball team will have to wait a little longer for their home opener as they have canceled their series against Central Missouri for this weekend.

Read more by clicking on the link below:


Tuesday Interview with Bearcats baseball coach Darin Loe

A hearty B2R shout-out to the Northwest Missouri State University Photographer & Videographer Darren Whitley for producing this interview with Bearcats baseball head coach Darin Loe on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.  The B2R appreciates the hard work and time Darren has to spend to cover all University functions and for taking the time to produce this work for the baseball team.

Go Cats!!
###

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Mid-week Re-Cap - Washburn University


Mid-week re-cap - Washburn University

Northwest swept a double header against Washburn University on Thursday, March 7, 2013, in Topeka, Kansas.  Northwest advanced its 2013 overall record to 4-12, 4-9 MIAA, following the sweep.

Media report -

Northwestbearcats.com article - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0307.htm

Wusports.com article - http://www.wusports.com/news/2013/3/7/BB_0307135120.aspx

In Game 1, Northwest beat the Washburn Ichabods 5-1 in a 7-inning affair.  The win moved the Bearcats record to 3-12, 3-9 MIAA.

Offensively, the Bearcats had a balanced offensive attack with 4 players having 2 hits and 5 different players having RBIs in the game.  Ryan Abernathy went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a walk.  Brandon Huske went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a walk.  Cameron Bedard went 2 for 3 with a RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored.  Tyler Durant went 2 for 4 (2 doubles) with a RBI and a run scored.  Steven Garber went 1 for 2 with a RBI and a walk.  Eric Swain went 1 for 4 (a double) with a RBI and a run scored.  In total, Northwest scored 5 runs off of 11 hits, 5 RBIs, 3 walks, 2 strike-outs, and left 8 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 1 error (Swain) and did not execute a double play.

Pitching, Austin Warren earned the start and the win to see his 2013 record advance to 1-1 after he worked a brilliant 5.2 innings, allowed 5 hits, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Nathanial Horton earned his 2nd save in 2013 after he worked 1.1 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 2 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

In Game 2, Northwest beat Washburn 8-3 to advance its 2013 record to 4-12, 4-9 MIAA.

Offensively, Eric Swain led the way with a 3 for 4 performance with a RBI and a walk.  Tyler Durant went 2 for 4 (including a double) with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored.  Derek Meyer made his Bearcat debut, played catcher, and went 2 for 4 (including a double) with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored.  Ryan Abernathy went 1 for 5 with a RBI.  Brandon Huske earned 2 walks and scored two runs.  Cameron Bedard went 1 for 3 with 2 stolen bases, a walk and a run scored.  Charlie Krueger went 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored.  Steven Garber went 1 for 3 with a RBI.  In total, Northwest scored 8 runs off of 11 hits, 7 RBIs, 4 walks, 4 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest did not commit an error and did not execute a double-play.

Pitching, Chase Anderson earned the start and the win to advance his 2013 record to 1-2.  Chase was also brilliant and worked 7.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 4 walks, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters, with a 109-pitch effort.  Brian Schmiedt closed out the game and worked the final 2.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters in the effort.

Up next for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats baseball team - a 3-game series versus the University of Central Missouri.  Two games are set for Saturday, March 9, 2013, in Maryville commencing at noon.  A single game is set to commence on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at 1:00pm.  The series is scheduled to occur in Maryville but no final word has been made as to whether the games will be played at the presently scheduled location.  Without a formal announcement from Northwest, the games will go on as scheduled in Maryville.

Go Cats!!
###

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Series Re-Cap - University of Central Oklahoma



In game 1, Northwest lost the game to UCO by a score of 6-1 in a 9 inning game to see their 2013 record fall to 2-10, 2-7 MIAA.

Offensively, the Bearcats had a tough day.  The one bright spot for Northwest was Ryan Abernathy, who went 2 for 4 at the plate with a RBI and a stolen base.  Luke Lawyer went 1 for 3 with a run scored and a stolen base.  Abernathy and Lawyer were the only 2 Bearcats to earn a hit in the game.  In total, the Bearcats scored 1 run off of 3 hits, 1 RBI, 3 walks, 11 strike-outs, and left 6 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest had a tough day and committed 3 errors (Abernathy, Swain, and Lawyer).

Pitching, Austin Warren earned the start but picked-up the loss in an admirable performance to see his 2013 record fall to 0-1.  Austin allowed 11 hits, 5 runs (only 3 earned), 1 walk, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 2 batters.  Chase Anderson came in the 8th inning to close out the game.  Chase allowed 0 hits, 1 run (unearned), 0 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 balks, 0 wild pitches, and hit 1 batter.  In total, the Bearcats gave-up 3 unearned runs.

In game 2, Northwest lost 18-8 to the University of Central Oklahoma in 7 innings to fall to 2-11, 2-8 MIAA on the year.

Offensively, Northwest was paced by JJ Baccari who went 3 for 4 (a home run) with 1 RBI, 3 runs scored.  Tyler Durant went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.  Cameron Bedard went 1 for 3 (a double) with 2 RBIs, 1 run scored, and 1 walk.  Brandon Huske went 1 for 3 (a home run), 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 walk.  Zach Douglas went 1 for 1 with a RBI.  Steven Garber, Eric Swain, and Alex Singleton all earned 1 hit in the game.  In total, Northwest scored 8 runs off of 11 hits, 8 RBIs, 3 walks, 7 strike-outs, and 6 runners left-on-base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 2 errors (Swain and Lawyer).  The Bearcats executed 1 double-play.

Pitching, Ryker Fox earned the start but saw his 2013 record fall to 0-4.  Fox worked 5.0 innings, allowed 7 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), 2 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Tyler Barth came in relief of Fox in the 6th inning.  In total, Barth worked 0.2 inning, allowed 2 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Carson Smith came in the 6th inning but had a tough outing.  He faced 3 batters but did not record an out.  In total, Carson allowed 1 hit, 3 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 0 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Dalton Perry came in relief of Carson, faced 5 batters and did not record an out.  In total, Perry allowed 4 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Jacob Raffaele closed out the game and pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 run (earned), 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 1 wild pitch, and hit 1 batter.

In Game 4, Northwest lost 10-8 in 11 innings to fall to 2-12, 2-9 MIAA.

Offensively, Brandon Huske went 2 for 6 with 2 RBIs.  Eric McGlauflin went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI and a walk.  Cameron Bedard went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 2 stolen bases, and a walk.  Charlie Krueger went 1 for 4 (a home run) with 2 RBIs, a run scored, and a walk.  Abernathy, Swain, Lawyer, Garber (a home run), and Durant all earned a hit in the game.  In total, Northwest scored 8 runs off of 12 hits, 7 RBIs, 8 walks, 6 strike-outs, and 10 runners left on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 3 errors (Abernathy, Krueger, and Swain) and did not execute a double play.

Pitching, Blane Reutter earned the start but did not receive a decision in the game.  In total, Blane worked 6.1 innings, allowed 9 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 1 walk, 4 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balk, and hit 1 batter.  Nathanial Horton came in the 7th inning to relieve Reutter and worked 2.2 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, 6 strike-outs, 2 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 1 batter.  Chase Anderson came in to pitch the 10th and 11th inning but received the loss in the game to see his 2013 record to fall to 0-2.  In total, Chase worked 2.0 innings, allowed 5 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.

B2R analysis - Despite last weekend's solid improvement, things seemed to revert back to last series' game 1 performance where the Bearcats did not execute on defense, offense, and pitching.  The most troubling statistic to the B2R is the Bearcats committed 8 errors which led to 4 unearned runs in the 3-game series.  Northwest's is only playing .004 points better defense in 2013 then it did in 2012 but is hitting 63 points less.  Northwest's pitching is allowing 3 1/4 more earned runs in 2013 then it did in 2012.  Northwest has yet to have a real home game due to snow in the Maryville-area.  The B2R believes the Cats have qualified for a name change to the Northwest Missouri State 'TOURING' Bearcats because the road show has yet to have a break.  Here's hoping the team can make adjustments for this week's match-ups against Washburn and Central Missouri and take 3 of 5.  With that said, the B2R is more hopeful about watching baseball in Maryville for once, too.

Go Cats!!
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Saturday, March 2, 2013

NorthwestBearcats.com - Northwest drops game one of series against UCO



Photo courtesy of northwestbearcats.com
 Edmond, Oklahoma - Central Oklahoma put up four runs in the first three innings and the Northwest Missouri State baseball team was not able to recover as they lost 6-1 in a nine inning affair Saturday.

Austin Warren got the call for the Bearcats on the mound today and went 7.2 innings giving up 11 hits, three earned runs, one walk and posted three strike outs.  Warren was tagged with the loss and moved his season record to 0-1.

Read more of the article by clicking the link below:

NorthwestBearcats.com

Series Preview - University of Central Oklahoma

Series Preview - University of Central Oklahoma

The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team (2-9, 2-6 MIAA) travels to Edmond, Oklahoma to play the University of Central Oklahoma (3-4, 3-4 MIAA) in a 3-game series.  The series was moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, due to snow in Maryville.  The two teams will play a single 9-inning game on Saturday and a double-header on Sunday.

The University of Central Oklahoma lost 2 of 3 games to Southwest Baptist to open the 2013 season.  UCO then split 2 games with Fort Hays State and Missouri Southern.  Based on available numbers, it appears UCO bats around .213 against left-handers and .282 against right-handers.

Team by Team comparison -
                                                       NWMSU                       UCO
Batting Average                -                 .254                            .286
Runs                                 -                 56 (5+ runs per game)  36 (5+ runs per game)
Slugging %                        -                .383                             .433
On-Base %                      -                 .366                             .387
Stolen Bases/Attempts      -                 7/11                             4/8
Fielding %                        -                 .961 (1+ E per game)   .968 (1 E per game)
Team E.R.A.                    -                 9.00                             6.33

The B2R Chow Line will have subs for the guys for the Sunday double-header.  Last week, B2R and family made up sack lunches for the guys.  The 2013 season has been a logistically difficult year for the Chow Line because of all the scheduling changes so far.  But, the guys still get fed and they really appreciate all the support.  If you haven't contributed to the B2R Chow Line, please consider doing so as soon as possible.  If you are willing to spend $10.00 for luke-warm beer at a professional sports team stadium with an out-of-town owner collecting revenue off of a publicly-financed building, than you can swing $10.00 to feed college kids playing their hearts out while they get an education.

Go Cats!!
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Series Re-cap - Lindenwood University

Series Re-cap - Lindenwood University

Northwest won 1 of 3 games against Lindenwood University last weekend.  The series was originally scheduled to be the home opener for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats baseball team but had to be moved due to snow.  By agreement, the series was moved to Sauget, Illinois, and played at GCS Ballpark (a minor league professional baseball stadium).

In Game 1, Northwest lost the game 11-5 to fall to 1-8, 1-4 MIAA on the year.

Offensively, Northwest was paced by Eric McGlauflin and his 3 for 4 performance with a home run, 3 RBIs, 1 run scored.  JJ Baccari went 2 for 3 (including a double), with a walk, 2 runs scored while playing catcher.  Cameron Bedard went 1 for 4 (a home run) with 2 RBIs and 1 run scored.  Eric Swain also had a hit in the game.  Also worth noting, Abernathy picked-up 2 walks and scored a run with 2 official at-bats in the game.

Defensively, the Bearcats had a tough game and were charged with 3 errors (2 by Huske and 1 by Swain).  Northwest executed 1 double-play in the game.

Pitching, Blane Reutter earned the start but had a tough day and saw his 2013 record fall to 1-2.  In total, he worked 5.0 innings, allowed 8 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 3 walks, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Pat Brady came in relief of Blane in the 6th inning, faced 5 batters, and did not record an out in a hard-luck outing.  In total, Pat worked 0.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Rob Henrichs came in the 6th inning to relieve Pat and worked 2.1 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (only 1 earned), 1 walk, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Brian Schmiedt came in the game in the 8th inning to work the final 1.2 innings of the game and allowed 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

B2R analysis - Despite the score, Northwest's offense could not figure out the Lindenwood starter, D. Terrell, who worked 7.0 innings of 1 run ball.  Four of Northwest's five runs came in the 8th and 9th innings when the game was not in doubt and Lindenwood brought in younger bullpen pitchers to close out the game.  Even though statistically Northwest's pitching may come across as a "culprit" of the team's record, the offense is not producing when the game is close forcing the pitching to make perfect pitches.  The Northwest defense must execute much better, too, and committing 3 errors in the game is a recipe for a loss.  Look, bottom line, Northwest is not going to win many games if the team allows more than 1 run per inning in the game.  But, the issue is not just pitching.  The bats have to got to produce early in games and the defense need to make plays to keep runners off the base paths.  My gut says the guys are pressing.  If the team can adjust their approach to live in the moment of every pitch with confidence in themselves and peace in their hearts, I believe Northwest will execute better in all phases of the game and pick-up for victories in the process.

In game 2, Northwest lost the first game of a 7-inning game which is a part of a Monday double-header by the score of 7-4 to see their 2013 record fall to 1-9, 1-6 MIAA.

Offensively, Northwest was paced by Cameron Bedard with his 2 for 4 performance with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs.  Abernathy, Kanger, Durant, Singleton, and Huske all earned hits in the game.  In total , Northwest scored 4 runs off of 7 hits, 4 RBIs, 3 walks, and 1 strike-out.

Defensively, Northwest committed 1 error (by a pitcher) in the game.  Northwest did not execute a double-play in the game.

Pitching, Ryker Fox earned the start but picked-up the loss to see his 2013 record fall to 0-3.  In total, Ryker worked 6.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 2 walks, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Ryker was cruising along and only allowed 1 run through the game's first 5 innings.  Ryker ran into trouble in the 6th inning and allowed 3 runs to score in that frame.  The game was 4-3 Lindenwood's lead in the Top of the 7th and final frame when Ryker allowed a single to the first batter of the inning.  Tyler Barth came in relief of Ryker and worked the final inning.  In total, Tyler worked 1.0 inning, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), one run was charged to Ryker, too, the guy tha singled to start the inning, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

B2R analysis - Northwest's defense executed better in game 2.  Northwest's offense executed better in game 2, too.  The result was North held a lead until the 6th inning.  The Bearcats' bullpen is trying to figure out roles for guys.  I am guessing there are injury issues because I'm not seeing guys pitch late in games that I think would be doing so.  Tyler Barth is getting a lot of opportunities to sew down the late game action.  The 'pen will get in a "rotation" soon enough  but for now it is exciting to see who steps up to the opportunity.  The B2R is happy to see Kanger getting his opportunity to showcase his talents so soon in his collegiate career.  The Bearcats need Steven Garber though to bust out of a slow start though if the team is going to reach its potential in 2013.  Count me as a Steven Garber fan.  His demeanor is as steady as I have ever seen in baseball.  Go Cats.

In game 3, Northwest defeated Lindenwood 5-4 to see their 2013 record advance to 2-9, 2-6 MIAA.

Offensively, Steven Garber and Charlie Krueger led the way for the Bearcats.  Garber went 2 for 4 at the plate with a double.  Krueger went 2 for 3 with a double, a stolen base, a RBI, and a run scored.  In addition, Eric McGlauflin went 1 for 4 with a RBI, a run scored.  Cameron Bedard went 1 for 4 (a double) with 2 RBIs and a run scored.  Alex Singleton went 1 for 3 with a walk and a RBI.  Brandon Huske drew 2 walks in 2 official plate appearances and scored a run in the game.  In total, Northwest scored 5 runs off of 7 hits, 5 RBIs, 4 walks, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest executed 2 double-plays in the game.  The 'Cats did not commit an error.

Pitching, Marcus Garrett earned the start and picked-up the win to see his 2013 record advance to 1-1.  In total, Garrett worked 5.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, 5 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 3 batters in the game.  Chase Anderson came in relief in the 6th inning and worked 3.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, 2 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  Nathanial Horton picked-up his first save of the year and worked the final inning of the game.  In total, Horton worked 1.0 inning, allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 2 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

B2R analysis - In a game where Northwest's offense produced early and the guys played solid defense, the Bearcats win the game.  Northwest's pitching did a good job in the game.  Northwest scored 4 runs in the first inning and the 5th run in the 3rd inning.  Defense and pitching took care of the rest.  Despite a disappointing 1-2 record in the series, Northwest improved its execution on the field every game from a start where the team was close to getting 10-run-ruled, to losing the game late in the game, to winning the game.  I am excited to see how the 'Cats execute in game 1 of the Central Oklahoma series.

Go Cats!!
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