Cats Walk-Off, Win Game 1

CATS WALK-OFF, WIN GAME 1

Maryville, Mo. - Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team defeated Northeastern State by the score 5-4 in a thrilling game featuring a walk-off celebration on February 26th in Maryville. Northwest rode the right arm of Joseph Hietpas and a terrific defense to win the day. Add in some late-game heroics and the 113 people in attendance were treated to a dandy of a game in beautiful sunny and low 60s degree weather. The game only took 2 hours and 15 minutes as both starters did a terrific job. In the end, the Bearcats were victorious thanks to Joseph Hietpas, exemplary defense, and timely hitting. As both teams played extremely well, this series has the makings of being an instant classic.

Offense - It is hard to pick which Bearcat was the game's offensive MVP for Northwest on Friday. Three Bearcats did most of the offensive work but Kevin Handzlik hit the game winning RBI. Ozzie Adams went 2 for 3 with one RBI, one run scored, one walk, and was hit by a pitch. Derek Meyer was 2 for 3 in the game. Kolby Greenslade went 2 for 3 with one run scored and a sacrifice. Nick Gotta earned 2 walks and 2 RBIs in the game. Kevin Handzlik was 1 for 1 with 1 RBI in the walk-off win. Garrett Fort went 1 for 5 with 2 runs scored in the game. Jay Hrdlicka went 1 for 3 with one RBI and one walk in the game. In total, Northwest scored 5 runs off of 9 hits, 5 RBIs, 5 walks, 2 hit by pitches, 6 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defense - Northwest was not charged with an error in the game.

Pitching - Joseph Hietpas was absolutely amazing on Friday. Hietpas earned the Friday start after a terrific start to the 2016 season. Joe's poise and rock-steady demeanor on the mound was terrific. What an outstanding performance. Joe worked 7.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 2 runs (only 1 earned), 2 walks, 8 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. Nikko Pablo came into the game in the 8th inning but had a tough day. In total, Nikko worked 0.2 of an inning, allowed 1 hit, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. Bryce Shea came into the game with 2 outs in the 8th inning and closed out the game. Shea picked-up the win in the game and moved his record to 1-0 in 2016. In total, Shea worked 1.1 inning, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter.

Northwest's Athletics' Department Website link - http://www.bearcatsports.com/boxscore.aspx?path=baseball&id=4336

B2R thoughts - What an epic game for your Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team. Outstanding starting pitching, exemplary defense, timely offense, and a walk-off win to take Game 1 of the three-game series with Northeastern State. Joe kept the Riverhawks' offense in check all game with a MIAA Conference Player of the Week level performance. Northeastern State played a hard game and battled their way back to take the lead late in the game. In the end, it was another thrilling college baseball game in the MIAA as your Bearcats carried the day with outstanding play all day and late-game heroics to finish it off.

Northwest and Northeastern will meet for Game 2 of the Series on Saturday, February 27, 2016, 2pm, at the Bearcats baseball field on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University.

Go Cats!!

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