Northwest Missouri State Bearcats Baseball Report: Mid-week re-cap

Culver-Stockton - Northwest lost to Culver-Stockton by the score 6-3 in Canton, Missouri. In the game, a lot of the younger Cats got a chance for playing time. Culver scored all six runs in one inning. John Osborne earned the start in the game. It was John's first start as a Bearcat. John worked 2.1 innings, allowed 8 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he hit 2 batters. Alex Cross came into the game in the 3rd inning and made his first appearance in 2015. Alex worked 0.2 of an inning, allowed 1 hit, 1 unearned run, 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he hit one batter. Patrick Brady came into the game in the 4th inning. Patrick had a fantastic outing and kept Northwest in the game. Patrick worked 3.0 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, 5 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he hit 1 batter. In the 7th inning, Jimmy McElwain came into the game. It was Jimmy's 2015 debut. I also believe it was his Bearcat debut. Jimmy did an outstanding job. In total, he worked 1.0 inning, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. In the 8th, Taylor Bruch came into the game. Taylor worked 1.0 inning, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 balks, 0 wild pitches, and he hit 2 batters.

Defensively, Northwest was charged with 1 error and did not turn a double-play.

Offensively, three Bearcats carried the team's weight in the game. Steven Garber, Kevin Handzlik, and James Holler were the 'Cats most valuable players against Culver. Steven went 2 for 3 with a walk. Kevin Handzlik went 2 for 4 with a run scored. James Holler went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI. In total, Northwest scored 3 runs off of 7 hits, 2 RBIs, 3 walks, 5 strike-outs, and 8 players left on base.

Quincy - After the Culver-Stockton game, Northwest boarded the team bus, crossed the state line into Illinois and played Quincy University for the 2nd game of a day-night double header. Oh baby, what a way to end the night. Northwest defeated Quincy University in a 13-inning marathon. The game took 3 hours and 33 minutes. The final score was 4-3. Both teams had their chances but Northwest executed when it had to and the pitching was a sight to see. Brad Roberts earned the start in the game and worked 2.0 innings, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. Austin Battaglia came into the game in the 3rd inning and worked 3.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 run (earned), 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. In the 6th inning, Luke Wilkinson came into the game and worked 2.0 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 5 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. In the 8th inning, Jacob Wagner came into the game but did not record an out. Jacob allowed 2 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. Carson Smith came into the game in the 8th and worked 4.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. In the 12th inning, Rob Henrichs came into the game and picked-up the win. In total, Rob worked 2.0 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter.

Defensively, Northwest committed 3 errors and did not turn a double play.

Offensively, Austin Wulff had 2 RBIs and Steven Garber had the go-ahead RBI as the two most valuable players for the Bearcats in the game. Derek Meyer went 2 for 3 with a walk. Aaron Barratt had 2 walks and a run scored in the game. Paul Johnson went 2 for 5 with a stolen base and a walk. Blake Hardegree went 1 for 5 with a run scored in the game. In total, Northwest scored 4 runs off of 7 hits, 3 RBIs, 8 walks, 7 strike-outs, and left 8 runners on base.

Coming up - Northwest is 13-13, 9-7 MIAA so far in 2015. On March 27, 28, and 29, the Bearcats will travel to Pitt State to play a 4-game weekend series. This weekend's games are absolutely critical for the Cats as they fight, scratch, and claw for a play-off spot in the post-season tournament. Pitt State is 7-16, 3-9 MIAA so far in 2015. Pitt State and Northwest match-up pretty close in offensive, defense, and pitching so expect 4 thrilling games this weekend.