I believe 2012 will go down as an instrumental year in the Northwest Missouri State University Varsity Baseball Program. While the season may have been a disappointment to some, the bottom line is Northwest was only 1 place & 3 conference wins from playing in the post-season tournament. The in-flux of new talent, plus continued development of key returners, led to an offensive explosion for the Bearcats which resulted in a 1st Team All-Conference performer (Ryan Abernathy) and 3 other All-Conference Honorable Mentions (Eric McGlauflin, Eric Swain, and Steven Garber). The 2012 Bearcats improved their team batting average by 57 points, their team on-base percentage by 50 points, and improved a remarkable 111 points on their team slugging percentage. The team had a good chemistry. The guys had a burning desire to win games. The team had good support on the road and at home. The B2R chow-line was a terrific success as the guys had a nice snack (usually sub sandwiches, chips, and drink) between every double-header in 2012 (a special feat in April when it seemed the Cats were playing 2 double-headers every series). The guys were really great with the young Bearcat fans in attendance as high-fives and knuckles were freely given before and after the games. In April, the Bearcats paid tribute to fallen Bearcat, Matt Mason, and the US Armed Forces by wearing special camouflage tops with the initials "MM" on the sleeve.
The Maryville American Legion Post & Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia were special guests presenting the American colors & singing the national anthem respectively.
Defensively, the 'Cats took a step back from 2011 statistically by having a team fielding percentage of .951 versus .957 in 2011.
The Bearcat pitching had a tough year in 2012. As a team, the Bearcats ERA increased by an average of 1.26 earned runs per 9 innings (5.92 in 2012 versus 4.66 in 2011). Newcomer Jace Anderson & 2012 Pitcher of the Year Chase Anderson were as reliable as the Maytag repairman and made every start given to them. The Northwest coaching staff had to cobble around Games 3 & 4 starters throughout the 2012 season depending on injury. Chris Green made a remarkable recovery from Tommy John surgery to start as the Friday night starter but lingering issues with his arm's recovery eventually required Chris to move back games in the weekend series. Newcomer Marcus Garrett flashed some impressive velocity but fell victim to the injury bug. Sean Brady pitched his guts out but also battled the injury bug. The Bearcat bullpen was tested early and often in 2012. Pat Brady, Nick Caldrone, Carson Smith, and Josh Parrish were called on the most often and pitched their hardest every game.
A story of 2012 was the new starters: Eric McGlauflin at 3B, Eric Swain at SS, Steven Garber at 1B, Travis Green at C, Ryan Abernathy at LF, and Jon Pomatto/Tyler Durant at RF. Add in Cole Mapes getting some starts later in the season, Landinn Eckhardt filling in for a hurt Travis Green, and Nathanial Horton, JJ Baccari, Charlie Krueger, and Alex Singleton filling in as often used pinch hitters and several Bearcats saw a lot of playing time in 2012. Offensively, the 'Cats improved remarkably from 2011. Defensively, the 'Cats never seemed to execute consistently and committed an average of 1.76 errors per game which led to an average of 1.42 unearned runs per game. When you add in the pitching giving-up an average of 5.92 earned runs per game, the offense had to score an average of 7.34 runs per game just to break even. While the Northwest offense made great strides in 2012, the Cats averaged scoring 6.6 runs per game meaning more times then not the Cats were on the wrong side of the win/loss column. If someone was short-sighted, that person may blame the pitching or defense, but the fact remains that the Cats win as a team and lose as a team. The pitching may not have been what everybody hoped for, but take away the unearned runs given up per game and there is the difference in the game every game. In my opinion, a quality start in college baseball is giving-up 5 runs so the offense needs to strive to score 6 or more runs per game. On the same token, there are several players that go on to play professional baseball from the MIAA so it is tough to generate that kind of offense every game when you are facing professional-caliber pitching. At the end of the day, the Bearcats can pitch better in 2013 then they did in 2012. The Cats can play better defense in 2013 then in 2012. And, the Cats can score more runs in 2013 then in 2012. The Cats do not need to improve much in 2013 to change the outcome of 3 conference games, but they are changes that need to be made for the 'Cats to take the next step. The guys can do it. No question about it. The Cats are a bunch of blue collar kids that work hard on their craft. All the returning Bearcat pitchers should be drooling over the opportunity before them with 3 weekend starters, and a key bullpen guy, graduating. It will be exciting to see how new talent can possibly add to the competition at every position. All-in-all, the sky is the limit for the Bearcat Baseball team in 2013...and I'm not just talking about a Conference Championship either. Think Cary, North Carolina. Time to go to work for 2013.
Here are some interesting statistics from 2012:
Northwest scored one more run then it allowed (330 vs 229);
Northwest outscored its opponents in innings 1, 5, 6, 7, and 9;
Northwest had a .380 winning percentage in Maryville & .370 winning percentage on the road;
Northwest had a .333 winning percentage versus lefties & .364 winning percentage versus righties;
Northwest was 3-24 when scoring 5 or less runs & 15-8 scoring 6 or more runs;
Northwest was only 4-8 when its opponents scored between 3-5 runs in a game;
Northwest was 10-10 when the Cats scored in the first inning;
Northwest was 13-12 when the Cats scored first in the game & 5-20 when the opponent scored first;
Northwest was 16-4 when it led the game after the 6th inning, 10-3 when leading after the 7th, & 9-1 when leading after the 8th inning;
Northwest was 1-23 when trailing after the 6th inning & 1-5 when tied after the 6th inning;
Northwest was 0-11 when trailing after the 7th inning & 1-3 when tied after the 7th inning;
Northwest was 0-13 when trailing after the 8th inning & 1-2 when tied after the 8th inning;
Northwest longest winning streak was 2 games;
Northwest longest losing streak was 6 games;
For more team statistics, please click here:
www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2012/stats/teamcume.htm
Go Cats!!
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