Series re-cap - Missouri Western

Photo courtesy of Northwestbearcats.com

Northwest lost both games of a mid-week double-header against Missouri Western on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, on a cold day in Maryville.  The two games against Western, plus the two games the previous weekend against Midland University and Waldorf College, concluded the Bearcats only home games the team has had during the 2013 NCAA regular season.  All other previously scheduled home games have been moved due to weather or unplayable conditions in the Maryville area.  Regarding the Western series, the Griffons stayed red-hot and won their respective 15th and 16th consecutive games on Tuesday against the Bearcats behind tremendous hitting and very solid pitching.  In game 1, the Griffons jumped out to an early lead by plating 5 runs in the first and chasing the Bearcats starter after one inning.  In game 2, the Griffons and Bearcats fought through a 1-1 tie until a 5-run fourth inning blew open the game for the Griffons.

Media accounts -

Northwestbearcats.com - http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/baseball/2013/pressreleases/13bsb0319.htm

Gogriffons.com - http://www.gogriffons.com/news/2013/3/19/BB_0319132601.aspx?path=baseball


In Game 1, Northwest lost to Western 10-4 in a seven-inning game to fall to 6-15, 4-12 MIAA.  The Bearcats got down early in this one and could not stop the bleeding late in the game.  Northwest clawed its way back in the game to be down 8-4 heading into the 6th inning but could not stop the Griffons from scoring additional runs, or score additional runs for themselves.

Offensively, the Cats only managed to club three hits in the game.  JJ Baccari got the start at catcher and went 1 for 3 (a double) with 1 RBI and a walk.  Steven Garber got the start at first base and went 1 for 2 (a home run) with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, and a walk.  Alex Singleton got the start in right field and went 1 for 2 with 1 run scored and a walk.  Despite going without a hit in two official plate appearances, Ryan Abernathy earned two walks and scored a run.  Despite going without a hit in two official plate appearances, Brandon Huske earned two walks, stole a base, and a RBI.  Eric McGlauflin got the start as DH, went without a hit, but earned a walk and a RBI in the game.  In total, Northwest scored four runs off of three hits, four RBIs, 9 walks, 7 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, the Bearcats committed one error (Brady) and did not execute a double play.

Pitching, Blane Reutter got the start but had a tough outing and saw his record fall to 1-3 in 2013.  Blane only pitched the first inning and allowed 5 runs.  In total, Blane worked 1.0 inning, allowed 6 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.  The Griffons scored 5 runs in the top of the first inning but the Cats did not score any.  Heading into the 2nd inning, Rob Heinrichs came in relief of Reutter and worked 4.0 innings, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 3 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 1 batters.  Heading into the top of the 6th inning, the Cats scratched in a few runs and trailed the Griffons 8-4.  Patrick Brady relieved Heinrichs in the top of the 6th inning but had a tough day.  Brady faced 5 batters but only recorded one out.  In total, Brady worked 0.1 inning, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 1 batter.  Tyler Barth came in the game with 1 out in the 6th inning and closed out the game.  In total, Barth faced 6 batters, worked 1.2 innings, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and hit 0 batters.

In Game 2, Northwest lost to Western 7-2 in a nine-inning game to fall to 6-16, 4-13 MIAA.  With the game tied 1-1, Northwest could not overcome a 5-run fourth inning by the Griffons.  The Bearcats' offense struggled to plate many runs and only managed to score a single run in the 2nd and 7th innings despite 3 errors by Western.

Offensively, Steven Garber led the way for the Bearcats with his 2 for 4 (including a double) performance at the plate.  Steven also scored two runs.  Derek Meyer earned the start at catcher and went 1 for 3 with a RBI.  Alex Singleton earned the start in right field and went 1 for 4 with a RBI.  Eric Swain (double), Ryan Abernathy, and Brandon Huske all earned a hit in the game, too.  In total, Northwest two runs off of eight hits, two RBIs, 0 walks, five strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed one error in the game (Swain).  Northwest did not execute a double-play.

Pitching, Austin Warren earned the start in the game but could not escape a rough 4th inning to pick-up the loss in the game and see his 2013 record fall to 1-3.  In total, Warren worked 6.0 innings, allowed 12 hits, 7 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 8 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 1 balk, and did not hit a batter.  The game was tied 1-1 heading into the 4th inning when the Griffons offense exploded for 5 more runs to expand the lead to 6-1 heading into the bottom of the 4th inning.  Northwest's offense could not respond in the bottom of the 4th.  To Warren's credit, he hung in there and battled through the 5th inning without allowing any more runs.  Northwest did not score any runs in the bottom of the 5th inning.  In Warren's final frame, he allowed 1 more run in the 6th inning.  Brian Schmiedt came in relief of Warren in the 7th inning and worked both the 7th and 8th innings.  In total, Schmiedt worked 2.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Nathanial Horton came in to close out the game in the 9th inning.  In total, he worked 1.0 inning, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.

Next for the Bearcats, Northwest travels to Kirksville to face the Truman State Bulldogs in a 3-game weekend series.

Go Cats!!
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