Northwest Missouri State Bearcats Baseball Report: Series Re-Cap: Southwest Baptist (Games 1 & 2 only)

Opening Remarks: Northwest earned a much needed 2-game sweep over SBU on Friday thanks in large part to dominant starting pitching by Chase and Jace. Aside from family, coaches, and teammates, nobody can be more proud of Chase and Jace then the B2R. Both have worked extremely hard to become the best pitchers they can be. Both are also great kids. Chase has seemingly had to re-prove himself every year he's been at Northwest. That's not a bad thing. Chase went from not traveling with the team to being the MIAA Post-Season Tournament Game 1 starter his freshman year, then going from the 'pen to start his sophomore year back to regular starter, then starting as a Game 4 weekend pitcher to now being a Game 1 weekend pitcher. If you tell Chase he can't do something, it lights a fire under him. That's my kind of ballplayer. Jace comes from the baseball talent-rich area of Omaha, Nebraska. A successful American Legion player in the ultra-competitive Omaha and Council Bluffs American Legion Circuit, Jace drew attention from the D2 baseball power Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks. Jace threw for the Mavs in their Regional appearance in 2010. Jace did not appear in 2011, the Mavs cut 2 championship caliber programs so they could be an after-thought low-major D1 school, meaning the Mavs' loss is the Bearcats' gain. Kudos to the coaches for sticking with Jace despite his slow start. Kudos to Jace for not cashing it in and giving up. It takes a remarkable personal resolve to go out in live fire over and over again when the success hasn't been there. Way to go Chase and Jace.

Let's also give credit to the Northwest defense and offense. We all know that this is a very special offensive team. Defense has had a tough go. Northwest was locked-in on Friday. Everything came together, but I believe it starts with defense. Good job Bearcats!!

Saturday is very important. Northwest needs to lock in on Game 1 and focus on winning every pitch, every inning of Game 1. Saturday's Game 1 is now the most important game of the 2012 season. You cannot win 2 games in Game 1. Win Game 1. Go Cats!!

Northwest won Game 1 by a score 5-3 to advance their 2012 record to 12-23 (11-14 MIAA). Chase Anderson got the start and picked-up his 4th win in 2012 to advance his season record to 4-5. Chase had another superior outing and worked a complete game 7.0 innings, allowed 9 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 0 walks, and 3 strike-outs.

Defensively, Northwest played a superior game and were not charged with an error.

Offensively, Northwest scored 5 runs off of 10 hits, 4 RBIs, 3 walks, 3 strike-outs, and left 6 runners on base. The three offensive stars of the game included Tyler Durant, who went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored, Jake Kretzer, who went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, and Cole Mapes, who went 2 for 2 with 1 RBI and a walk. Abernathy, Bedard, McGlauflin, and Garber all earned a hit in the game.

In Game 2, Northwest won 10-3 after a dominant, 9-inning complete game masterpiece by Jace Anderson. Northwest saw its 2012 record improve to 13-23, 12-14 MIAA. In total, Jace threw 9.0 innings, allowed 9 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 6 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, and hit 1 batter. Jace advanced his 2012 record to 2-5 with the victory.

Defensively, Northwest played a real solid game and were charged with 1 error that did not lead to an unearned run.

Offensively, Northwest scored 10 runs off of 13 hits, 9 RBIs, 3 walks, 6 strike-outs, and left 12 runners on base. The Offensive stars included Eric Swain, who went 3 for 5 (1 double, 2 home runs - Yeah babies!!), 4 RBIs (M-V-P!! M-V-P!!), and 2 runs scored, Ryan Abernathy, who went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 2 walks, Eric McGlauflin, who went 2 for 6 with a run scored, and Landinn Eckhardt, who went 3 for 4, with 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Bedard, Durant, and Garber all earned 1 hit in the game.