Recruit Profile - Brandon Huske

Brandon Huske joins Northwest Missouri State University as a Junior after he transferred from St. Charles Community College.  Brandon stands 5'10" and weighs 175 pounds.  He is from Overland Park, Kansas.  He is a right-handed infielder and bats left-handed. 

In 2012, Brandon batted .322, played and started in 38 games, scored 19 runs, 39 hits, 2 doubles, 9 RBIs, .380 slugging %, 22 walks, 19 strike-outs, grounded into 1 double play, 4 stolen bases (5 attempts), 3 errors, .977 fielding %.

The B2R welcomes Brandon to the Bearcat Nation.

Go Cats!!
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Recruiting Profile - Blane Reutter

Blane Reutter enters Northwest Missouri State University as a junior after he transferred in from Des Moines Area Community College.  Blane is from Boone, Iowa.  He stands 5'11" and weighs 185 pounds.  He is a left-handed pitcher and also bats left-handed.

In 2012, Blane had a 2.70 ERA, 4-0 W/L record, 16 appearances, 3 starts, 3 complete games, 40.0 innings pitched, allowed 42 hits (12 extra base hits), 12 earned runs, 18 walks, 36 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, and he hit 4 batters for DMACC.

In 2011, Blane had a 3.12 ERA, 2-0 W/L record, 8 appearances, 1 start, 17.1 innings pitched, 17 hits allowed (4 extra base), 6 earned runs allowed, 9 walks, 14 strike-outs, hit 2 batters, and allowed 1 balk for DMACC.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Ryker Fox

Ryker Fox joins Northwest Missouri State University as a junior after he transferred here from Kirkwood Community College in Iowa.  Ryker is a left-handed pitcher.  Ryker stands 6'00" and weighs 183 pounds.  He is from Bettendorf, Iowa, which is where he graduated high school.

In high school, Ryker was named a First-Team All-Conference performer as a Junior and Senior; named a Second Team All-District Utility Player as a Junior; He was named a First-Team All-District Pitcher as a Senior.

In Ryker's first year at Kirkwood, he led the team as a freshman with 19 appearances, had a 2-2 w/l record, 2.43 ERA, and earned 5 saves.  For his efforts, Ryker was named an Honorable Mention ICCAC All-Region team.

In 2012, Ryker appeared in 15 games for Kirkwood, worked 63.1 innings pitched, allowed 25 earned runs, allowed 80 hits, 51 strike-outs, 16 walks, had a 3.55 ERA, 2-7 W/L record.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Nathan Sickle

Nathan Sickle joins Northwest Missouri State University as a freshman in the 2012-2013 academic year.  Nathan is a lefty that pitches and plays 1st Base.  He is a lanky 6'2" 180-pound kid from Rayville, Missouri, and graduated from Richmond High School in Richmond, Missouri.

The B2R welcomes Nathan Sickle to the Bearcat Nation.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Tanner Beene

Tanner Beene joins Northwest Missouri State University as a freshman in the 2012-2013 academic season.  He is a 6'1" 170-pounds Short Stop/Right-Handed Pitcher from Omaha.  Tanner graduated from Omaha North High School in 2012.  In 2012, the Omaha North Vikings finished the year at 9-15.

Here is a video of Tanner hitting, fielding, and pitching.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Michael Levasseur

Michael Levasseur is a freshman entering Northwest Missouri State University this fall.  Michael plays both catcher and outfield.  He is a 5'11" 160-pound right hander from Las Vegas, Nevada.  He graduated from Centennial High School.  In the 2012 Prep season, the Centennial Bulldogs finished 27-13-1.  Michael was a 3-sport athlete in high school participating in both football and wrestling.

The B2R welcomes Michael to the Bearcat family.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Taylor Bruch

Taylor Bruch joins Northwest Missouri State as a freshman in the 2012/2013 academic season.  Taylor is a 6'1" 175-lbs right-handed pitcher from Papillion, Nebraska, where he graduated from Papillion LaVista High School. In 2012, Taylor appeared in 19 games for Papillion LaVista Monarchs, started 6 games, pitched 1 complete game, 4 wins, 3 losses, 1 save, allowed 43 hits, 24 earned runs, hit 4 batters, 22 walks, 1 intentional walk, 38 strike-outs, and a 3.17 ERA.

For Taylor's efforts in 2012, the Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star named him an Honorable Mention Class A All-Nebraska baseball team.  Class A is the State of Nebraska's largest schools class.

Go Cats!!
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Thanksgiving Day Prayer from the B2R

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all of the blessings you've sent;
In all things, give thanks;
So I want to thank you for Bearcat Baseball and the mighty athletes that you brought to Maryville;
Thank you for Singleton and Charlie Krueger;
Thank you for Mapes and McLaughlin;
Thank you for Garrett and Abernathy;
Thank you for Bigford and Lanke;
Thank you for the Bradys, Zach Douglas, and Carson Smith;
Thank you for Luke Lawyer, Paul Johnson, Steven Garber, and Barthman;
Thank you Camo, Chase, Jase, and Swainey;
Thank you for Jacob, JJ, and Jonny P;
Thank you Hort and the Magic Man, Tyler Durant;
Thank you for the new guys;
I thank you for Darin Loe and Mike Creason for recruiting and coaching talented baseball players for my alma mater;
Thank you for Joe and Kelly Quinlin for giving us athletes with the power we see on game days;
Thank you for Wren Baker, Mark Clements, and Lori Hopkins for supporting baseball;
Lord, I want to thank you for Easton and TPX performance bat technology;
Thank you for Rawlings and raised seams;
Thank you for pine tar and batting gloves;
Lord, bless the Bearcat Baseball team - may they dominate the weight room over the winter to perform with power and precision this spring worthy of the hallowed grounds of Bearcat Baseball field;
Most importantly Lord, thank you for my family, having the coolest wife on Earth and my boy Alex;
B..E..A..R..C..A..T..S..
Amen


Happy Thanksgiving from the B2R
Go Cats!!

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Recruit Profile - Mitchell Young

Mitchell Young joins Northwest Missouri State University as a freshman in the 2012-2013 academic year.  Mitchell is a 5'11" 155-lbs right-handed infielder from Papillion, Nebraska, and graduated from Papillion-LaVista High School.  Mitchell was named an Honorable Mention All-Nebraska Team for Class A (highest class in Nebraska) in 2012 by the Omaha World Herald.

Mitchell Young in Summer American Legion ball - 2012

In 2012, Mitchell appeared in 49 games for Papillion-LaVista Monarchs Varsity Baseball team, 141 AB, scored 31 runs, smacked 42 hits, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 30 RBIs, got hit by a pitch 6 times, 6 walks, 17 strike-outs, 9 sacrifice bunts, 2 stolen bases, .298 batting average, .397 slugging percentage, .351 on-base percentage.

Mitchell Young circa 2004 Papillion Predators Little League

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Tanner Smith

Tanner Smith is a freshman at Northwest Missouri State University for the 2012-2013 academic season.  Based on what the B2R can tell via an internet search, Tanner red-shirted his one year at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.  Tanner Smith graduated from Cameron High School.  He is a 6'1" 185-pounds left-handed pitcher.  I liked what I saw in Tanner in Fall Practice.  He could challenge for playing time as a freshman.  The above photo is one of my favorites and is from the Fall 2012 fall practice.

The B2R welcomes Tanner to the Bearcat family.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Kole Klocko

Kole Klocko enters Northwest Missouri State University as a Junior after he transferred in from Iowa Central Community College.  Kole is 6'00" tall, 190 pounds right-handed pitcher and outfielder.  Kole comes from Norwalk, Iowa, where he graduated from Washington High School in or near Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  According to PerfectGame.org, Kole has packed on 15 pounds of muscle since 2010 where at that time he registered his fastball in the mid-80s with a curveball and change-up in the 70s.  As PerfectGame writes in 2010:

"Kole Klocko is a 2010 RHP/OF with a 6'1'', 175 lb. frame from Norwalk, IA who attends Norwalk. Medium sized frame, lean build, some arm strength, arm works ok, pause at top of delivery, good sink and armside run CH, deceptive CH, throws strikes, projects with mechanical adjustments, good student."

 
In 2011, Kole attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  According to Kirkwood's website:

"High School- Two-time all-conference and all-district pitcher/utility player...two-time all-state performer...quarterback on his high school football team.

Personal- Born 2/21/1992...prepped at Norwalk High School...parents are Jeff and Janet...has two brothers, Keaton and Klay...high school coach was Chad Wiedmann...majoring in Business...favorite mlb team is the San Francisco Giants."

 Kole spent his sophomore season at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  In his only season playing for the Tritons in 2012, Kole had a 5-3 record, 3.74 ERA, 12 appearances, 10 starts, 2 complete games, 45.2 innings pitched, allowed 43 hits, 19 earned runs, 31 walks, 40 strike-outs, 13 extra base hits, 5 wild pitches, 5 hit batters, and 1 balk.

Kole comes to Northwest in 2012 and seems like a great kid.  From what the B2R saw in fall practice, Kole had an excellent fall camp.  He had good zip on his fastball and his change-up and breaking ball had batters leaning forward.  It will be exciting to see where Kole fits in the wide open race for pitching positions on the Bearcats 2013 squad.

The B2R welcomes Kole to the Bearcat Family.

Go Cats

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Recruit Profile - Andrew Trout

Andrew Trout enters Northwest Missouri State University as a junior having transferred from Central Arkansas.  Andrew is a 6'2" 205 lbs left-hander from Overland Park, Kansas, who plays both a utility position as well as pitches.  Andrew spent the 2012 summer playing for the Wisconsin Woodchucks in the premier college woodbat league, Northwoods League.  In total, Trout worked 11.2 innings, earned 12 strike-outs, 9 walks, 16 hits, and a 3.85 ERA.

The B2R welcomes Andrew Trout to the Bearcat family.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Ben Bruck

Ben Bruck enters Northwest Missouri State University as a freshman in the 2012-2013 academic year.  Ben comes from Portsmouth, Iowa, and graduated from Harlan High School.  Ben is a lanky 6'00" tall, 170 pounds right-hander that plays Short Stop.  According to the Omaha World Herald, Ben was selected as a 2nd Team Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association's Super Team in 2012 and a First Team Class 3A All-State team selection. 

Go Cats!!
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Bearcat Fan - Newbie or Long-time?

1974 Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats Varsity Baseball Team

You might be a long-time Northwest Missouri State Bearcat Baseball fan if . . .

1.    You see jersey number 23 on the field and the first name you think of is legendary Bearcat Head Coach Jim Wasem.

2.    You show up for a game at Bearcat Baseball Field with the temperature in the 80s and you layered up and  brought an extra jacket

3.    You saw Bearcat Baseball games coached by Jim Johnson.  Extra points if you saw Jim Wasem coach.

4.    You remember Marty Albertson as a hot-hitting short stop more than as a league-leading safety and punter.

5.    You've ever been nervous walking up the rickety stairs to the Bearcat Baseball Field’s press box

6.    You've watched a game during a rain shower with a winter coat on the east side of the press box to block the wind.

7.    You had to scurry your toddler from the Bearcat bullpen so the pitchers could warm-up.

8.    You remember the rivalry with MIAA conference baseball powers Northwest Missouri State, Southwest Missouri State, and Southeast Missouri State…between 1969-1983.

9.    You understand the significance of 1975.  

You might be a Northwest Missouri State Bearcat Baseball newbie if .. .

1.    You show up at a game when the temperature is in the upper 60s, wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and are surprised how cold it is.

2.    You park in an open parking spot located next to the field between home and 3^rd Base thinking you scored a primo parking spot for the baseball game.  Your excitement is rewarded with a baseball-sized hole through your windshield…or the car next to yours…you hope.

3.    You ask, "Where do you buy tickets?"

4.    You think a Bearcat Baseball game is the perfect place to bring your dog…then you meet Mark Clements.

5.    You're surprised when the Event Staff doesn’t stop you from bringing a cooler of food and drinks into the game.

6.    You ask why the #3 hitter is bunting with a runner on first base or you get to the 7^th inning and think the game is almost over.

7.    You don't get excited when the Bearcats beat Missouri Western, Central Missouri, or Emporia State.

8.    The numbers 1975, 1983, and 7 mean nothing to you.

9.    You're surprised at how much fun you can have at Bearcat Baseball games.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Torrey Escamilla

Torrey Escamilla is a freshman at Northwest Missouri State University.  He stands 6'00" and weighs 210 pounds.  Torrey is a right-handed pitcher and graduated from Fremont High School in Fremont, Nebraska.

Go Cats!!
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Recruit Profile - Garrett Fort

Garrett Fort is a freshman at Northwest Missouri State University.  The 6'1" lanky midfielder weighs in at 165 pounds.  He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.  He plays Short Stop and 2nd Base.  He graduated from Ankeny High School in Iowa.  In 2012, Ankeny High School had a tremendous season winning the Iowa State High School Class 4A State Championship by a score 10-0.  Ankeny was ranked #1 in the State of Iowa heading to the post-season tournament.  Garrett was Top 7 in runs scored, Top 10 in RBIs, and Top 8 in Triples.

The B2R welcomes Garrett to the Bearcat Nation.

Go Cats!!
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National Letter of Intent - Early Signing Period for Baseball Quickly Approaching

National Letter of Intent Signing Dates for prospective student-athletes enrolling in 2013-2014 for baseball (early period) commences November 14, 2012, and concludes November 21, 2012, a look at the past few years' early signings have proven to be important for the Bearcats by either starting or regular playing time as a reserve.

You can find additional information about the early signing period by clicking the links below:

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/nli/nli

Go Cats!!
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2012 Fall Practice Highlights - Slideshow

The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat Baseball team wrapped up its Fall 2012 practice season a few weeks ago.  There are a lot of new faces on the squad this year.  There is a lot of competition out there for all positions.  There seemed to be a sense of urgency amongst the team.  I like what I saw from the sidelines.  The guys worked hard to get better every practice.

I get a little sense that the 2013 Bearcat Baseball team is going to be scrappy, high energy, the "engine that could."  I decided to go with slideshow music reflective of determined and passionate focus to be the absolute best team in 2013 and bring home a MIAA Conference Championship.

Go Cats!!
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Exciting Facilities Upgrades in near future

The Northwest Missouri State University Athletics Department announced at Saturday's football game versus Missouri Western that a new football video scoreboard will be constructed in time for the 2013 season including improvements to the Bearcat Stadium sound system.

Furthermore, some exciting action is in place for remarkable athletics facilities in the very near future.  The B2R is very excited with the aggressive direction that Northwest Athletics Director Wren Baker has pursued in his early tenure in Maryville.  Despite a Hall of Fame Coach retiring, a tragic passing of another coach, long time women's basketball coach retiring, turnover in the volleyball program, the worst university budgetary times in 15 years, Wren has held serve with out losing any varsity athletic programs, and securing the largest increase in corporate sponsorships and donations in school history.

Wren is definitely a baseball fan and has some terrific ideas.  I encourage everybody to join the Booster Club at Northwest (information available at the school's athletics website of www.northwestbearcats.com).  The more people the better the booster club can support our student-athletes.

Keep an eye out for remarkable, and I mean remarkable, things from Northwest in the near future.

Read more by clicking on the link below:

http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/football/2012/pressreleases/12fb1110video.htm

Go Cats!!
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