Bearcats sweep Northwestern Oklahoma State, win 8-3

Alva, OK - The Bearcats used some late-game heroics and a terrific bullpen to defeat Northwestern Oklahoma State 8-3 to go to 3-0 on the year. The Bearcats did not score their first run until the 6th inning. In the 7th, Northwest scored 5 more runs. In the 8th, the 'Cats tacked on 2 more runs. Brad Roberts earned the start and worked a solid 5 innings. Austin Battaglia was the star of the game and picked-up the win for his efforts. Northwest swept the weekend series and will head to Arkansas for a mid-week game and a Thursday, Friday and Saturday tournament.

Offensively, Landon Figg was the most valuable player in the game. Figg hit 2 for 4 (including a double) with 3 RBIs, 1 run scored, and 1 walk. A close second was James Holler who went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI, was hit by a pitch, and 2 runs scored in the game. Also of note in the game:

Garrett Fort went 1 for 4 with a sacrifice bunt and was hit by a pitch;

Ozzie Adams earned 1 walk and scored 1 run;

Alix Herrera scored 2 runs and was hit by a pitch;

Kevin Handzlik went 1 for 4 with 1 walk and 1 run scored;

Jay Hrdlicka went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 1 walk;

Logan Rycraft earned 3 walks and was hit by a pitch;

Austin Wulff earned 1 walk;

Luke Hassman went 1 for 1 with 2 RBIs.

In total, Northwest scored 8 runs, off of 8 hits, 7 RBIs, 8 walks, 5 strike-outs, and left 14 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest was charged with 1 error.

Pitching, Brad Roberts earned the start and worked 5.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 4 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. Jimmy McElwain came into the game in the 6th inning but had a tough day. In total, Jimmy worked 0.1 inning, allowed 1 hit, 1 earned run, and 2 walks. Jacob Wagner had a second clutch performance and worked 0.2 of an inning, allowed 0 hits and 0 runs to get out of the inning. In the 7th inning, Austin Battaglia came into the game and worked 2 scoreless innings to earn the win for the Bearcats. It was Austin's first win in 2017. In total, Austin worked 2.0 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strike-outs. Nikko Pable came into the game in the 9th to close it out in a non-save situation. In total, Nikko worked 1.0 inning, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 1 strike-out.

Next for Northwest - Your Bearcats travel to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to play University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in a single, 9-inning game. First pitch is set for 2pm.

Go Cats!!

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