Northwest 1 game away from winning MIAA Conference Record

Northwest 1 game away from winning MIAA Conference Record

Hays, Kansas - Fort Hays State won Game 1 and Game 2 from Northwest to take the series. Fort Hays is not going to make the play-offs so this is the Tigers final series. The Tigers have played with exceptional focus and solid pitching. Despite a meltdown from the Tigers Head Coach in Game 2 where he lost his mind over where he appeared to argue a balk, the Tigers team showed fantastic poise and did an outstanding job of playing defense, smart base running, and timely hitting. Despite the two losses, Northwest is 1 game away from a winning MIAA Conference record. The Bearcats sit at 19-19 Conference record. To win Game 3, Northwest will have to overcome FHSU Senior Day. Stay tuned, its going to be an epic ride...

Game 1

FHSU won 7-3 to take Game 1. NWMSU's had a tough day playing defense and committed 4 errors. The tough defense spoiled an excellent outing by Anthony Caenepeel.

Offense - Kevin Handzlik was the MVP for Game 1. Kevin went 3 for 4 (including a triple) with 1 RBI in the game. Garrett Fort went 1 for 3 (including a double) with 2 RBIs and 1 walk in the game. Jake Lewis went 1 for 3 with 1 run scored and 1 walk in the game. Jay Hrdlicka went 1 for 4 as DH. James Holler went 1 for 4 with 1 run scored in the game. Nick Gotta pick-up a walk in the game. In total, Northwest scored 3 runs off of 7 hits, 3 RBIs, 3 walks, 4 strike-outs, and left 6 runners on base.

Defense - Northwest was charged with 4 errors in the game which led to 3 unearned runs.

Pitching - Anthony Caenepeel got the start and worked 6.0 innings, allowed 13 hits, 6 runs (only 3 earned), 0 walks and 6 strike-outs. Nikko Pablo worked 1.0 inning, allowed 1 hit, 1 earned run, 1 strike-out, 1 wild pitch, and hit 1 batter. Jimmy McElwain worked 1.0 inning, allowed 1 hit and no runs.

Game 2

FHSU won 4-3 to take Game 2. Northwest had the game tieing run at 3B in the 8th inning but a bang-bang play at the play prevented Northwest from scoring that run. Northwest was hitting the ball but seemingly right at the defenders.

Offense - Nick Gotta with the MVP for Game 2. Nick went 4 for 5 with 1 run scored while playing short stop. Kevin Handzlik went 2 for 3 while playing first base. James Holler also had an outstanding day at the plate and went 2 for 4 with 1 run scored in the game. Garrett Fort went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI while playing center field. Jay Hrdlicka went 2 for 4 as the DH. Jake Lewis picked-up a walk in the game. In total, Northwest scored 3 runs off of 12 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 walk, 2 strike-outs, and left 9 runners on base.

Defense - Northwest was not charged with an error in the game. 

Pitching - Joseph Hietpas earned the start in Game 2. In total, Joe worked 6.0 innings, allowed 6.0 innings, allowed 10 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 3 walks, 8 strike-outs, and hit 1 batter. Ross Davis worked 0.2 of an inning and did not allow any hits or runs but hit 1 batter. Nikko Pablo came into the game and worked 1.1 inning, allowed 2 hits but no runs in the game.

Next - Game 3 is Saturday in Hays, Kansas, at 1pm.

Go Cats!!

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