Emporia sweeps Northwest; Play-offs possible with help
Emporia swept Saturday's double-header against Northwest to win all four games of the series this weekend. Northwest lost game 3 by the score 3-2 and lost game 4 by the score 11-7. With the two losses, Northwest is 21-21, 15-18 MIAA, and good for 9th place in the MIAA standings. The top 8 seeds advance to the post-season MIAA baseball tournament. Northwest is mere percentage points from the 8th seed Northeastern State University. The play-offs are possible for the Bearcats with some help - Northwest needs to win 3 or 4 conference games against Pitt State this upcoming weekend in Maryville and Northeastern State needs to lose 2-3 to Washburn. This weekend's games against Pitt State will include Senior Day for 9 Bearcats seniors and the last home series of the season.
In game 3, Northwest lost 3-2 in a 7-inning game. Your Bearcats starting nine were Jon Pomatto, RF, Brandon Huske, SS, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Eric McLaughlin, DH, Austin Wulff, LF, Steven Garber, 1B, Nikko Pablo, 2B, Blake Hardegree, C, Zack Ferreira, 3B, and your starting pitcher was Ryker Fox.
Offensively, Northwest scored 2 runs off of 9 hits, 2 RBIs, 0 walks, 8 strike-outs, and left 5 runners on base. Your two offensive stars were Brandon Huske, who went 2 for 3 with a run scored, and Steven Garber, who went 2 for 3 in the game including a double. Other Bearcat offensive notables included:
Jon Pomatto went 1 for 4;
Ryan Abernathy went 1 for 3;
Eric McLaughlin went 1 for 3 (including a home run) with 2 RBIs and a run scored;
Nikko Pablo went 1 for 3;
Blake Hardegree went 1 for 3.
Defensively, Northwest was charged with one error (Brandon Huske) in the game.
Pitching, Ryker Fox worked his butt off but picked-up the loss in the hard fought game. In total, Ryker worked 6.2 innings, allowed 6 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 1 walk, 7 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he hit 2 batters.
In game 4, Northwest lost 11-7 in a nine-inning game. Your Bearcats starting nine were Jon Pomatto, RF, Brandon Huske, SS, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Eric McLaughlin, DH, Austin Wulff, LF, Steven Garber, 1B, Nikko Pablo, 2B, Blake Hardegree, C, Zack Ferreira, 3B, and your starting pitcher was Rob Henrichs.
Offensively, Northwest scored 7 runs off of 11 hits, 7 RBIs, 1 walk, 5 strike-outs, and left 4 runners on base. Your offensive stars were the following:
Eric McLaughlin went 2 for 4 with a run scored;
Austin Wulff went 2 for 4 (including a double and a home run) with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored;
Steven Garber went 2 for 4 (including a double) with 1 RBI and 1 run scored;
Other Bearcat offensive notables were the following:
Brandon Huske went 1 for 5 (including a home run) with a RBI and a run scored;
Ryan Abernathy went 1 for 4;
Nikko Pablo went 1 for 3 with a walk;
Blake Hardegree went 1 for 3 with a RBI and a run scored;
Zack Ferreira went 1 for 4 (including a home run) with 2 RBIs and a run scored.
Defensively, Northwest was not charged with an error in the game.
Pitching, Rob Henrichs earned the start but had a tough outing. In total, Rob worked 2.1 innings, allowed 4 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. In the 3rd inning, Tanner Smith came into the game and worked 0.1 inning, did not allow a hit or a run, but walked a batter and threw a wild pitch in the game. Blane Reutter came into the game and worked 0.2 inning, allowed 4 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. Patrick Brady came into the game and worked 0.2 inning, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. Hondo Pearcy came into the game and worked 3.1 innings, allowed 4 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. Daulton Perry came into the game and worked 0.2 inning, allowed 1 hit and 1 run in the game.
Next-up for the Bearcats -
Northwest returns to Maryville to play Pittsburgh State in a win or your season is over 4-game series. The seniors will be recognized this weekend. Make your plans to come to Maryville to cheer on the Bearcats.
The play-offs begin now.
Go Cats!!
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