"Starting 3" with weekend performance for the memory books

Starting 3 with weekend performance for the memory books

Maryville, Mo. - As the B2R reflected on this past weekend's series versus the Lindenwood University Lions in St. Charles, Northwest's starting pitching really stood out as the big story. The B2R previously coined Bearcats Joseph Hietpas, Anthony Caenepeel, and Brad Roberts, as the "Starting 3." Lindenwood University's offense entered the weekend series with Northwest with a team batting average of .325, .527 slugging, and .461 on-base percentage, with a double-header sweep victory over a common opponent (Christian Brothers University) from earlier in the season. After this weekend series, Northwest's starting pitching worked 21.0 of the 26.1 innings, and allowed only 3 runs which is good for a 1.29 ERA. After the 3-game series, Lindenwood's team batting average dropped 22 points, team slugging dropped 63 points, and team on-base dropped 35 points. In the B2R's thoughts, and without statistical research to confirm, this was the best performance by Northwest's starting pitching in a conference series in recent memory. In the past, there were a lot of series where 1 starter pitched lights out, 2 pitchers pitched lights out, but having all 3 starters do so well in a conference series is worth noting.

The B2R discussed Northwest's "Starting 3" pitchers in the featured veterans series this season. In those articles, the B2R commented that Northwest's 2016 success will hinge on the arms of those exemplary pitchers. While the defense has been very good, and the offense timely, Joseph Hietpas, Anthony Caenepeel, and Brad Roberts have combined to give Northwest a 4-2 start in Conference play, good for 3rd place in the present MIAA standings. Considering the Bearcats were pre-season pick #12 by MIAA coaches, Hietpas, Caenepeel, and Roberts are turning heads and securing victories for Northwest Missouri State University.

In total, Joseph Hietpas has a 2.40 ERA, 3-0 W-L record, 11 walks, 27 strike-outs.

In total, Anthony Caenepeel has a 3.86 ERA, 1-3 W-L record, 4 walks, 30 strike-outs.

In total, Brad Roberts has a 3.55 ERA, 1-1 W-L record, 10 walks, 14 strike-outs.

The Starting 3 can continue to prove the MIAA coaches wrong with continued pitching performances, supporting defense, and improving offense. Northwest's "Starting 3" has the Bearcats in 3rd place and, so far, a long way away from 12th place.

Go Cats!!

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