Series Re-cap: Missouri Western

Series Re-cap:  Missouri Western State University Griffons

Mother Nature proved her mighty power by forcing changes in this weekend's series between Northwest Missouri State University and Missouri Western State University.  Originally, the two schools were set to play in Maryville with a single game on Friday, February 28, a double-header on Saturday, March 1, and a single game on Sunday, March 2.  Then came the polar vortex with severe cold and a lot of moisture forcing a tremendous amount of snow in the forecast late Saturday, March 1, through Sunday afternoon on March 2.  The two schools agreed to play two days of consecutive double-headers in St. Joseph on Friday, February 28, and Saturday, March 1st.  The two teams played Friday's double-header with your Bearcats winning both games in exciting fashion, but Saturday's games were cancelled due to inclimate weather.  At the time of this post, the make-up games have not been announced or determined.

Your Bearcats swept the double-header on Friday, February 28, 2014, in St. Joseph, and won game 1 by the score of 7-4, and won game 2 by the score 7-6.  With the two victories, your Bearcats' 2014 record advanced to 7-5 with a 4-2 MIAA record.  With the two losses, the Griffons fell to 6-5, 4-2 MIAA, in 2014.

In game one, Northwest beat the Griffons by the score 7-4 in a seven-inning game.  Your Bearcats starting nine included Zack Ferreira, SS, Paul Johnson, 2B, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Eric McGlauflin, DH, Austin Wulff, LF, Steven Garber, 1B, Jon Pomatto, RF, Derek Meyer, C, Garrett Fort, 3B, and your starting pitcher was Ryker Fox.

Offensively, Northwest scored 7 runs off of 9 hits 4 RBIs, 5 walks, 5 strike-outs, and left 5 runners on base.  Your two offensive stars were Eric McLaughlin, 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, and Jon Pomatto, 2 for 2 with a RBI, 2 runs scored, a stolen base, and a walk. Zack Ferreira did very well in the lead-off position and earned two walks of his 4 plate appearances.  Paul Johnson, Austin Wulff (a double and a stolen base), Steven Garber, Derek Meyer (a stolen base), Garrett Fort (a triple, 2 RBIs), all earned a hit in the game.

Defensively, your Bearcats were not charged with an error.

Pitching, Ryker Fox earned the start and the win to see his 2014 record advance to 2-1.  In total, Ryker worked 5.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 1 run (earned), 4 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he hit one batter.  Rob Henrichs came into relieve Ryker in the 6th inning and worked 1.2 innings, allowed 2 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter.  Blane Reutter came into the came in the 7th inning and worked 0.1 inning, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter.

In game 2, Northwest beat the Griffons by the score of 7-6 in a walk-off fashion.  Your Bearcats starting nine included Zack Ferreira, SS, Paul Johnson, 2B, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Eric McGlauflin, DH, Austin Wulff, LF, Steven Garber, 1B, Jon Pomatto, RF, Blake Hardegree, C, Garrett Fort, 3B, and your starting pitcher was Hondo Pearcy.

Offensively, your Bearcats scored 7 runs off of 11 hits, 7 RBIs, 2 walks, 6 strike-outs, and left 8 runners on base.  The 3 offensive stars of the game included Austin Wulff with his game winning hit, went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI, and 1 run scored, Steven Garber went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored, and Jon Pomatto went 2 for 4 with a RBI and a run scored.  Zack Ferreira, Paul Johnson, Ryan Abernathy (a stolen base), Blake Hardegree (2 RBIs), and Garrett Fort, all earned a hit in the game.

Defensively, the Bearcats were not charged with an error or pass ball, and turned 1 double-play in the game.

Pitching, Hondo Pearcy earned his 2nd start in the game and was doing very well until he ran into trouble in the 6th inning (which is where the Griffons scored all of the runs charged to Hondo).  In total, Hondo worked 5.1 innings, allowed 5 hits, 4 runs (all earned and all in his final frame), 2 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 1 balk, and he hit 1 batter.  Daulton Perry came into the game in the 6th inning and worked 1.2 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 run (earned), 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter.  Brian Schmiedt came into the game in the 8th inning and worked the final 2.0 innings, allowed 5 hits, 1 run (earned), 1 walk, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. Brian earned the victory for his efforts and saw his 2014 record climb to 2-1.

Despite unusual circumstances and adversity with playing location and games, the 'Cats won two very important games against an extremely talented Missouri Western Griffons baseball team.  The Cats played solid defense, executed on their pitches, and timely hitting for offense.

Its early in Conference play, but your Bearcats are currently sitting in third place in the MIAA with a very important road conference match-up at Lincoln University in Jefferson City on March 7-9, 2014.  The 'Cats are set to play a mid-week non-conference game against Rockhurst but anticipated snowfall will likely cancel that game.


Bearcat notables:

Zack Ferreira made his first and second collegiate starts at shortstop on Friday, February 28, 2014, against the Missouri Western Griffons in St. Joseph. Zack did not commit an error during the two games and had a .333 on-base percentage.

Ryker Fox earned the start in Game 1 and won the game to see his 2014 record climb to 2-1.  Ryker worked 5.0 innings and allowed only one run for an ERA of approximately 1.45.

Jon Pomatto hit .667 and had an on-base percentage of .715 in the double-header against the Griffons with 2 RBIs, a stolen base, and 3 runs scored.

Steven Garber hit .500 with 3 runs scored, and 2 RBIs in the double-header against the Griffons.  Garber did not commit an error in the game.

Austin Wulff hit .375 with 2 runs scored and a RBI in the double-header against the Griffons.  Austin had the game winning hit in Game 2.  Austin had a double and a stolen base in the double-header.  Austin did not commit an error in the field.

Garrett Fort his .286 while playing a spotless third base for the Bearcats in the double-header against the Griffons.  Garrett had 1 run scored and 2 RBIs.  Garrett hit a triple in the game.

Hondo Pearcy earned his second start of his collegiate career against a hot-hitting Griffons baseball team.  Hondo worked five innings without allowing a run before running into trouble in the 6th and final inning.  Hondo has faced two terrific offenses and performed well beyond his years.


Go Cats!!
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