K-aenepeel breaks 48-year single season strike-out record as Bearcats beat Fort Hays

Maryville, Mo. - Anthony "K"aenepeel struck-out 9 batters to break the 48-year single season strike-out record at Northwest Missouri State University to lead the Bearcats over Fort Hays State 13-7 on Friday in Maryville. The Bearcats offense carried the day as they scored 13 runs in 9 innings to keep a pesky and proud Fort Hays State ball club at arm's length away. Fort Hays took an early 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the 2nd inning but Northwest tied the game in the bottom of the frame. Hays then tacked on another run in the top of the third to take a 3-2 lead. The score would remain 3-2 until the bottom of the 5th inning when Northwest erupted and scored 8 runs to take a 10-3 lead. Not giving up, Hays scored another 2 runs in the top of the 6th inning to narrow Northwest's lead to 10-5. The Bearcats would score another 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to increase their lead to 12-5. Northwest scored another run in the bottom of the 7th inning to change the score 13-5. Finally in the 9th, Hays scored two more runs before Jacob Wagner closed the door for a final score of 13-7. Whew, what a game.

The great Scott Kurtz set the single season strike-out record for Northwest Missouri State University in 1969 at 97.

Offense, Ozzie Adams was Northwest's most valuable player in the game. Ozzie went 3 for 5 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored in the game. Garrett Fort went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored and 1 walk on the day. Landon Figg went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored in the game. James Holler earned a walk, a RBI, and scored a run in the game. Kevin Handzlik went 1 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored on the day. Kolby Greenslade went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI, 1 walk and 1 run scored in the game. Jay Hrdlicka went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored and a walk on the day. Aaron Barratt went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 1 walk in the game. Logan Rycraft went 1 for 2 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 1 walk on the day. In total, Northwest scored 13 runs off of 14 hits, 11 RBIs, 7 walks, 4 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 1 error that led to 1 unearned run in the game. 

Pitching, Anythony Caenepeel earned the win to see his 2017 record move to 8-5. Caenepeel worked 8.1 innings, allowed 11 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), 1 walk, 9 strikeouts and 2 balks. Jacob Wagner came into the game in the 9th inning with 1 out and 2 runners on base. Wagner shut down Hays without allowing a run. Wagner worked 0.2 of an inning without allowing a hit or a run. 

NWMSU's article on the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/5/5/baseball-friday.aspx?path=baseball

Next - Northwest now sits in 7th place with Friday's win. The top 8 teams advance to the MIAA post-season tournament in Joplin. It is a 3-team race for the final 2 play-off spots. Missouri Southern and Pitt State are in 8th place and 9th place respectively. The 8th place finisher will have to play #1 Emporia State who is having an amazing year. Game 2  versus Fort Hays is a must win for Northwest if they want to control their post-season destiny. Game 2 is also Senior Day as Northwest will recognize 9 Bearcats. With names like Caenepeel, Pablo, Greenslade, Fort, Adams, Wulff, Holler, Battaglia, and Shea, playing their final home games at Northwest Missouri State University expect the B2R to cry like a 4-year-old.

Go Cats!!

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