B2R Analysis - Northwestern Oklahoma series



Photo courtesy of Northwestbearcats.com

 The Bearcats baseball team has a promising start to the 2014 season with a 2-game split with Northwestern Oklahoma State on Monday.  The 'Cats offense has the potential to smash the baseball.  Northwest's on-base percentage as a team is an outstanding .447 which means nearly half the time a Bearcat is getting on base.  There were a few notable Bearcat debuts on Monday with terrific results:

Blake Hardegree made his Bearcat debut as the starting catcher.  Blake started both games behind the dish.  After 14 innings of play as catcher, Blake batted .400, scored 1 run, 2 hits, 5 RBIs, slugging .400, 3 walks, and a .625 on-base % (leading team).

Defensively, Blake did not commit an error and did not allow a pass ball.

Calling a game, Northwest's team ERA is 3.46, with 7 pitchers seeing action.

A native of Amarillo, Texas, Blake Hardegree had a triple-crown debut for the Bearcats.

Zack Ferreira made his Bearcat debut as a true freshman.  Zack started at third base in both games.  After two games, Zack hit .333, 2 hits, .333 slugging, 1 walk, and a .429 on-base %.

Defensively, Zack did not commit an error.

The Whittier, California, native made his transition to college baseball a successful one.

Garrett Fort made his debut for the Bearcats after red-shirting last season.  Fort started both games in left field.  Fort batted .200 but had an exemplary on-base percentage of .429, 3 runs scored, 1 hit, 3 RBIs, and 2 walks.

The Ankeny Bulldog did not commit an error.

The B2R salutes Garrett Fort with his successful debut.

Austin Wulf made his Bearcat debut as a pinch-hitter in game 1 and a defensive substitution in left field.  Austin is a true freshman from Omaha, Nebraska.











The Bearcat veterans started out white-hot in 2014:

Senior Brandon Huske, Overland Park, Kansas, was filthy good to open the 2014 season.  Huske started both games at shortstop and batted .429, scored 3 runs, 3 hits, 2 RBIs, .429 slugging, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and .556 on-base %.

Senior Eric McGlauflin brought a tree trunk to the plate and mashed the ball.  Eric started both games as the DH and hit .429, scored 2 runs, 3 hits, 1 triple, 3 RBIs, .714 slugging, 1 hit by pitch, .444 on-base %, and stole 1 base in 1 attempt.

Senior Ryker Fox, Bettendorf, Iowa, was your game 1 starter and he was filthy sick.  Ryker rocked it and worked 4.0 innings, 2.25 ERA, allowed 1 earned run, 2 walks, and 6 strike-outs.










The Bearcats have a dangerous mix of veteran leadership and first-year starters to start 2014 season.  Its exciting to see the offensive potential of this line-up.  Defensively, the Bearcats could challenge for the best defense in the MIAA.  Starting pitching and bullpen were both exceptional.  In all, the B2R is very excited about the 2014 edition of the Northwest Bearcats baseball team.  Confidence, playing loose but with an edge is key for the Bearcats' success in the MIAA.

We will get a chance to see the Bearcats' pitching depth this weekend with 4 games in 2 days against the Cameron Aggies (2 double-headers).  The B2R feels the Coach Moctezuma will have the staff and 'pen ready to compete to win every series this season.  Can't wait for first pitch.

Go Cats!!
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