Ode to Jake Kretzer

The B2R heard that Jake Kretzer decided to retire from baseball.  So its with a heavy heart, but a very thankful one, that I present the B2R's "Ode to Jake Kretzer."  Thanks for being a Bearcats, Jake.

Go Cats!!
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MLB Play-offs are Awesome!!

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Recruit Profiles - Adam Pennington & Denton Hopkins

Recruit Profile - Adam Pennington
Adam joins Northwest Missouri State University as a freshman in 2012-2013.  Adam graduated from Kirksville High School.  He projects out to be either a 1B or Pitcher.  Adam stands 6'0" and weighs 170 pounds.

Recuirt Profile - Denton Hopkins
Denton joins Northwest Missouri State University as a freshman in 2012-2013.  Denton graduated from Earlham, Iowa, high school in 2012.  Denton projects out to be a catcher or third 3rd Baseman.  Denton stands 6'1" and weighs 200 lbs.
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Recruit Profile - Rod Schmidt

Rod Schmidt joins Northwest Missouri State University as a freshman for the 2012-2013 academic year.  Rod is a right-handed pitcher standing 6'00" and weighs 180 pounds.  Rod continues the California pipeline of baseball talent to Northwest Missouri State after graduating from Edison High School in or near Costa Mesa, California.  A google check indicates Huntington Beach, California is nearby (home of fellow Bearcats JJ Baccari and Aaron Amaral).

In 2007, Rod played at the Cooperstown Dreams Park during National Association of Tournament Champions in Cooperstown, New York as a member of the Blue Wave (California).  He finished with a .680 batting average, 5 home runs including back-to-back 3-run home runs and 21 RBIs.

According to the Dailypilot.com newspaper, a young Rod was quoted as saying:

“I don’t have any video games,” Schmidt said. “I think it’s personally a waste of time. I’d rather be doing something healthy in life. With video games, you get obsessed and then you can’t focus on baseball and school.”

“[Rod’s] a great kid,” Stokes said. “He’s hard working, doesn’t quit, is focused and he’s a great listener. I see him getting a scholarship to [an NCCA Division I] school and then maybe getting drafted [in Major League Baseball]. He is growing each year.”

“My coach taught me a slider which is kind of like his and I’m still developing that, but it’s so much fun because it breaks right off. It’s real nice,” Schmidt said. “I can’t even try to do any of the leg lift stuff he does. That’s just crazy.”

Rod's favorite MLB player isn’t home run king Barry Bonds, New York All-Star Alex Rodriguez, National League MVP Ryan Howard, or even World Series champion Albert Pujols.  It’s David Eckstein, the scrappy former Angel who won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals last season. Eckstein is famous for overachieving as an undersized shortstop with a super-sized heart.

“He wasn’t the most gifted player, but he still tried as hard as he could and did everything he possibly could to get on the team,” Schmidt said. “When he is out there, he hustles everywhere and is a good role model. It would be nice to be like him.”

“It’s like why else be out there?” Schmidt said. “If you don’t want to be out there and are dogging it, why even come out? If you’re not going to give it 100%, it’s not worth it.”

At Edison High School, Rod was named team MVP of his freshman class.  During Rod's junior year in 2011, ESPN Rise, Baseball America, and Max Preps all ranked Edison as the top ranked high school baseball team in the United States.  That season, Edison finished 25-4 and claimed a Sunset League Championship.  Also in 2011, Rod was selected to participate in the 18-under US National Team at the Goodwill Series in Australia.

Coach Loe comment: “Rod has proven that he can compete with some of the best competition nationally at the High School level.  He has a great feel for pitching with an advanced approach to the game.”

Recruit Profile - Robert Henrichs

Robert Henrichs is a 6'1" freshman entering Northwest Missouri State University.  The 205-lbs native of Liberty, Missouri, graduated from Liberty High School in 2012.  Robert played both Third Base and a Right-handed pitcher for the Liberty Bluejays.  Robert is a right-handed batter, too.

In 2012, Henrichs was a 2nd Team All Big 6 Conference performer as a pitcher for the Liberty Bluejays.  The Liberty Bluejays finished the year 28-4, scoring 259 runs and allowing 128 runs.  The Liberty Bluejays were State Runner-up in 2011, and placed 3rd in 2012.  In 2011, he pitched in 11 games, had a 6-1 w/l record, earned 1 complete game, worked 35.1 innings, allowed 38 hits, 23 earned runs, and had an ERA of and had a 4.56 ERA.  With the bat, Robert earned a .750 batting average, 1.500 slugging %, and was the starting pitcher for the 2011 Class 4A state championship.  Henrichs is also a 2-year varisty starter with the Liberty High School Bluejays football team. 

Coach Loe comment: “Rob is a quality high school pitcher that that has the rare combination of a live arm and a great feel for pitching.  Rob is a tremendous athlete who will immediately compete for innings on the mound that will also have the ability to compete on the infield.”

Go Cats!!

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Midland Lutheran - Jordan Bischel named Head Coach

Fremont, Neb. - Midland University has announced Jordan Bischel as the institution's first new head baseball coach in 18 years. Bischel, who was most recently the head coach and field manager with the Green Bay Bullfrogs, has an impressive record as both coach and player-evaluator.

"Jordan is a fantastic fit for Midland University's baseball program," said Dr. Ben Sasse, President of Midland University. "He has proven himself as a coach and, more importantly, he knows how to facilitate a baseball team that is in line with our core values."

Bischel comes to Midland with a successful background as both a head coach and a specialist. Bischel has compiled 132 wins in four seasons as head coach and field manager for the Green Bay Bullfrogs, an elite summer-league team. He is the winningest coach in the franchise's history, and his career winning percentage as head coach (.561) ranks 10th in the Northwoods League's 18-year history. During the past two seasons, the Bullfrogs' 81-58 record ranks as the second best in the 16-team league. His 2012 squad led the league in All-Star selections and Perfect Game top prospects. In his tenure, Bischel has also seen 31 of his players selected in the MLB draft.

Additionally, Bischel has spent the past three seasons as the head pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division II Northwest Missouri State. While there, Bischel's 2011 squad recorded the lowest overall ERA in the 12-team conference at 3.44. He also helped guide the 2010 team to its first Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Postseason Tournament berth since 2007.  In addition to his duties on the field Bischell aided in the Bearcats recruiting efforts in the state of Nebraska, specifically the Omaha metro.

"Jordan has a special ability to mold talent and create a winning atmosphere," said Jason Dannelly, Midland University's Athletic Director. "We are excited to see him build on these successes through the Warrior baseball program."

Bischel has held additional assistant coaching positions at John Carroll University (Cleveland, Ohio) and Saint Norbert College, where his teams won three consecutive division championships and received one bid to the NCAA National Tournament.

He holds a bachelor degree from Saint Norbert College and a master's in physical education from Northwest Missouri State University.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Nate Van Ells

Nate Van Ells is a freshman entering Northwest Missouri State University in the 2012-2013 after graduating from Greendale High School in or near Brookfield, Wisconsin.  Nate is a lanky 6'3" 170 lbs. right-hander that plays both Short Stop and Pitches.  Nate is also bats right-handed.

A three-sport athlete at Greendale High, Van Ells has been a three-year varsity letterman for the baseball team. He was named all-conference and all-suburban during his sophomore and junior season as he hit a solid .422 with 17 doubles and 22 stolen bases while striking out just three times on the year. He was also outstanding on the mound going 7-1 with a 1.05 ERA during his junior season.

According to wisconsinallstarsbaseball.com, "Nate's primary position is shortstop but is also an all conference pitcher in the Woodland Conference and also plays a very good outfield position. Nate has played on his varsity baseball team since his freshman year garnering all conference and all suburban honors since his sophomore year. Nate batted .468 his sophomore year, he has power to all fields and outstanding speed on the base paths and in the field. Nate's has been timed at showcases in the 60 yard dash at 6.7 seconds on grass. Nate is a very hard worker with a great attitude, he is full of goals to achieve and always gives 100%.  Last year Nate was an honor roll student in Greendale High School with a 3.5 GPA. He wants to go on and play baseball in college and Major in Environment Sciences."

Coach Loe comment:  “Nate is an outstanding athlete.  He will immediately be one of our fastest players and his versatility will give him a chance to contribute in a number of areas.”

Go Cats!!

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Projected 2013 Game Schedule

Tentative 2013 NCAA Schedule:

Feb. 8-10:  at U of Monitcello, Arkansas (3, 9-inning games);
Feb. 16-17:  at Northeastern State, Oklahoma (7/9 double-header, single 9-inning game);
Feb. 19:  vs. U of Nebraska-Kearney (7/9) Maryville
Feb. 23:  vs. Lindenwood U, Missouri (7/9) Maryville
Feb. 24:  vs. Lindenwood U, Missouri (1-9) Maryville
Mar. 2:  vs. U of Central Oklahoma (7/9) Maryville
Mar. 3:  vs. U of Central Oklahoma (1-9) Maryville
Mar. 5:  at Washburn (7/9)
Mar. 9:  vs. U of Central Missouri (7/9) Maryville
Mar. 10:  vs. U of Central Missouri (1-9) Maryville
Mar. 12:  at Ft. Hays State (7/9)
Mar. 19:  vs. MWSU (7/9) Maryville
Mar. 23:  at Truman State (7/9)
Mar. 24:  at Truman State (1-9)
Mar. 26: at MWSU (7/9)
Mar. 29:  vs. MoSo (7/9) Maryville
Mar. 30:  vs. MoSo (1-9) Maryville
Apr. 3:  vs. Washburn (7/9) Maryville
Apr. 5:  at SW Baptist (1-9)
Apr. 6:  at SW Baptist (7/9)
Apr. 10:  vs. William Jewell (1-9) Maryville
Apr. 13:  at Emporia State (7/9)
Apr. 14:  at Emporia State (1-9)
Apr. 17:  at U of Nebraska - Kearney (7/9)
Apr. 20:  vs. Lincoln U (7/9) Maryville
Apr. 21:  vs. Lincoln U (1-9) Maryville
Apr. 24:  vs. Ft. Hays State (7/9) Maryville
Apr. 27:  at Pitt State (7/9)
Apr. 28:  at Pitt State (1-9)
May 3-5:  MIAA Tournament Round 1
May 9-12:  MIAA Tournament Round 2 in Kansas City
May 16-19:  NCAA Regional Tournament
May 25-June 1 - NCAA Division 2 World Series

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Matt Kanger

Matt Kanger enters Northwest Missouri State University as a freshman in the 2012-2013 academic year.  Matt is from Elkhorn, Nebraska, and graduated from Omaha's Creighton Prep.  Matt is a 6'4" left-handed first baseman/right fielder. As a senior, Matt batted .422, .622 slugging %, smashed 45 RBIs, and earned 43 hits, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, and 5 stolen bases for the Junior Jays.

According to the Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal Star, Matt has "big target at first and a good glove to save teammates on scoops."

According to his High School Coach Pat Mooney:

"He is such a big guy, at 6-foot-5, we can throw anywhere in the area and he’s going to catch it. At the plate, pitchers tried everything. They’d throw away from him and he’d slap it to left, they’d throw in on him and he’d go to right. He reaped the benefits of following Kevin (Connolly). They’d have to pitch to somebody.”

You can watch video of Matt by clicking the link below:

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=jdsyI0tINqI&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DjdsyI0tINqI

Coach Loe comment: “Matt is one of the premier hitters in the Omaha area.  He has shown he has game-changing type power from the left side of the plate.  Matt is extremely developed physically and has a chance to hit in the middle of our order early in his career.

Go Cats!!
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