Bearcats sweep Pitt State, only 5 GB from 1st

BEARCATS SWEEP PITT STATE, ONLY 5 GB FROM 1ST

Maryville, Mo. - Your Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team defeated Pitt State in Game 3 on Sunday by the score 13-3. With Northwest's win in Game 3, the Bearcats swept the series from the Gorillas. Northwest's 2016 record now stands at 17-13, 12-8 MIAA, which is good for a 5th place tie in the MIAA standings with Missouri Southern. As of Monday, April 4, 2016, the Bearcats are 5 games back from 1st place UCM in the MIAA standings. With 19 games, 6 MIAA Conference series, plus Game 3 with Nebraska-Kearney on April 5th, anything is possible if the Bearcats want it bad enough.

Sunday's game was memorable for many reasons including a big Bearcat victory, series sweep, great game day atmosphere, camouflage jerseys, 70 degrees, sunny, and...the wind. While this hasn't been confirmed, I'm pretty sure the pressbox's foundation moved with the high winds blowing straight out to left field. Wowza. In the end, Northwest played its brand of baseball of pitching and defense and an offense that gets 'em on, gets 'em over, and gets 'em in.

A big B2R shout-out to X-106 and KNWT Channel 8 for covering the Bearcats this weekend. The 'Cats appreciate the coverage. You guys and gals are THE source for all Bearcats sports.

Offense - There were many worthy candidates for GAME 3 MVPS on Sunday. The B2R selects Kolby Greenslade and Jake Lewis as the Game 3 MVPs. Kolby went 3 for 5 with 1 RBI and 4 runs scored in the game. Jake Lewis went 2 for 3 (including a double) with 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and 2 walks while playing catcher in the game. Both of you get an Attaboy from the B2R. Nick Gotta went 2 for 5 with 1 run scored in the game. Ozzie Adams went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and 3 runs scored in the game. Kevin Handzlik went 2 for 2 with 2 RBIs and a run scored in the game. Nick Howard picked-up a RBI without an official at bat in the game as a pinch hitter and late defensive substitution. Garrett Fort went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 1 run scored in the game. Derek Meyer went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored while playing DH. Austin Wulff went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI while playing right field. In total, Northwest scored 13 runs off of 14 hits, 10 RBIs, 4 walks, 7 strike-outs, and left 5 runners on base.

Defense - Northwest was charged with 1 error in the game. It was the best defensive performance of the weekend.

Pitching - Anthony Caenepeel earned the start and complete game victory in Game 3. With the win, Anthony's 2016 record climbed to 4-4. Pitt State struck quickly in the game with the favorable aid of the wind, but AC made the adjustments and won the day. In total, Caenepeel worked 7.0 innings, allowed 7 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. AC had an outstanding performance on the mound and his intensity and mound presence rubbed-off on the entire Bearcat baseball team in Game 3.

Next - Northwest travels to Kearney, Nebraska, to play Game 3 of the UNK series on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. Northwest and UNK played their 3-game series in single, 9-inning, mid-week contests with Game 1 being in Kearney (UNK won), Game 2 in Maryville (NW won), and Game 3 tomorrow in Kearney. Following Game 3 with UNK, Northwest will then travel to Joplin, Missouri, to play Missouri Southern in a 3-game weekend road series. Both the Lions and Bearcats are presently tied for 5th place in the MIAA standings. 

The Bearcats have 4 HUGE games this week. UNK had a tough weekend and are looking to rebound by winning on Tuesday. Northwest needs to bring its pitching and defense to keep the Lopers at bay. Then, Bearcats and Lions clash in Joplin. The Lions want to keep the Bearcats down so they can keep in the race for a Conference championship. The Bearcats are out to prove to the MIAA baseball coaches that picking them 12th was a big mistake. Who prevails? Tune in and find out...

Go Cats!!

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