Northwest won 1 of 3 games against Lindenwood University last weekend. The series was originally scheduled to be the home opener for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats baseball team but had to be moved due to snow. By agreement, the series was moved to Sauget, Illinois, and played at GCS Ballpark (a minor league professional baseball stadium).
In Game 1, Northwest lost the game 11-5 to fall to 1-8, 1-4 MIAA on the year.
Offensively, Northwest was paced by Eric McGlauflin and his 3 for 4 performance with a home run, 3 RBIs, 1 run scored. JJ Baccari went 2 for 3 (including a double), with a walk, 2 runs scored while playing catcher. Cameron Bedard went 1 for 4 (a home run) with 2 RBIs and 1 run scored. Eric Swain also had a hit in the game. Also worth noting, Abernathy picked-up 2 walks and scored a run with 2 official at-bats in the game.
Defensively, the Bearcats had a tough game and were charged with 3 errors (2 by Huske and 1 by Swain). Northwest executed 1 double-play in the game.
Pitching, Blane Reutter earned the start but had a tough day and saw his 2013 record fall to 1-2. In total, he worked 5.0 innings, allowed 8 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 3 walks, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters. Pat Brady came in relief of Blane in the 6th inning, faced 5 batters, and did not record an out in a hard-luck outing. In total, Pat worked 0.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters. Rob Henrichs came in the 6th inning to relieve Pat and worked 2.1 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (only 1 earned), 1 walk, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters. Brian Schmiedt came in the game in the 8th inning to work the final 1.2 innings of the game and allowed 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.
B2R analysis - Despite the score, Northwest's offense could not figure out the Lindenwood starter, D. Terrell, who worked 7.0 innings of 1 run ball. Four of Northwest's five runs came in the 8th and 9th innings when the game was not in doubt and Lindenwood brought in younger bullpen pitchers to close out the game. Even though statistically Northwest's pitching may come across as a "culprit" of the team's record, the offense is not producing when the game is close forcing the pitching to make perfect pitches. The Northwest defense must execute much better, too, and committing 3 errors in the game is a recipe for a loss. Look, bottom line, Northwest is not going to win many games if the team allows more than 1 run per inning in the game. But, the issue is not just pitching. The bats have to got to produce early in games and the defense need to make plays to keep runners off the base paths. My gut says the guys are pressing. If the team can adjust their approach to live in the moment of every pitch with confidence in themselves and peace in their hearts, I believe Northwest will execute better in all phases of the game and pick-up for victories in the process.
In game 2, Northwest lost the first game of a 7-inning game which is a part of a Monday double-header by the score of 7-4 to see their 2013 record fall to 1-9, 1-6 MIAA.
Offensively, Northwest was paced by Cameron Bedard with his 2 for 4 performance with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs. Abernathy, Kanger, Durant, Singleton, and Huske all earned hits in the game. In total , Northwest scored 4 runs off of 7 hits, 4 RBIs, 3 walks, and 1 strike-out.
Defensively, Northwest committed 1 error (by a pitcher) in the game. Northwest did not execute a double-play in the game.
Pitching, Ryker Fox earned the start but picked-up the loss to see his 2013 record fall to 0-3. In total, Ryker worked 6.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 2 walks, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters. Ryker was cruising along and only allowed 1 run through the game's first 5 innings. Ryker ran into trouble in the 6th inning and allowed 3 runs to score in that frame. The game was 4-3 Lindenwood's lead in the Top of the 7th and final frame when Ryker allowed a single to the first batter of the inning. Tyler Barth came in relief of Ryker and worked the final inning. In total, Tyler worked 1.0 inning, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), one run was charged to Ryker, too, the guy tha singled to start the inning, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.
B2R analysis - Northwest's defense executed better in game 2. Northwest's offense executed better in game 2, too. The result was North held a lead until the 6th inning. The Bearcats' bullpen is trying to figure out roles for guys. I am guessing there are injury issues because I'm not seeing guys pitch late in games that I think would be doing so. Tyler Barth is getting a lot of opportunities to sew down the late game action. The 'pen will get in a "rotation" soon enough but for now it is exciting to see who steps up to the opportunity. The B2R is happy to see Kanger getting his opportunity to showcase his talents so soon in his collegiate career. The Bearcats need Steven Garber though to bust out of a slow start though if the team is going to reach its potential in 2013. Count me as a Steven Garber fan. His demeanor is as steady as I have ever seen in baseball. Go Cats.
In game 3, Northwest defeated Lindenwood 5-4 to see their 2013 record advance to 2-9, 2-6 MIAA.
Offensively, Steven Garber and Charlie Krueger led the way for the Bearcats. Garber went 2 for 4 at the plate with a double. Krueger went 2 for 3 with a double, a stolen base, a RBI, and a run scored. In addition, Eric McGlauflin went 1 for 4 with a RBI, a run scored. Cameron Bedard went 1 for 4 (a double) with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Alex Singleton went 1 for 3 with a walk and a RBI. Brandon Huske drew 2 walks in 2 official plate appearances and scored a run in the game. In total, Northwest scored 5 runs off of 7 hits, 5 RBIs, 4 walks, and left 7 runners on base.
Defensively, Northwest executed 2 double-plays in the game. The 'Cats did not commit an error.
Pitching, Marcus Garrett earned the start and picked-up the win to see his 2013 record advance to 1-1. In total, Garrett worked 5.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, 5 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 3 batters in the game. Chase Anderson came in relief in the 6th inning and worked 3.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, 2 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters. Nathanial Horton picked-up his first save of the year and worked the final inning of the game. In total, Horton worked 1.0 inning, allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 2 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.
B2R analysis - In a game where Northwest's offense produced early and the guys played solid defense, the Bearcats win the game. Northwest's pitching did a good job in the game. Northwest scored 4 runs in the first inning and the 5th run in the 3rd inning. Defense and pitching took care of the rest. Despite a disappointing 1-2 record in the series, Northwest improved its execution on the field every game from a start where the team was close to getting 10-run-ruled, to losing the game late in the game, to winning the game. I am excited to see how the 'Cats execute in game 1 of the Central Oklahoma series.
Go Cats!!
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