Fort Smith, Ark - Northwest accomplished a complete team victory when they defeated the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith 6-3 on February 7, 2017, at Crowder Field. Complimentary offense scoring multiple runs, solid defense, a starting pitcher that kept the team in the game, and a fantastic bullpen that limited the damage and ate innings were all parts that added together result in a complete team victory. Jay Hrdlicka and Luke Hassman carried the load offensively while Jacob Wagner, Nikko Pablo, and Jimmy McElwain shut down the UA-FS offense. For their efforts, Northwest's record now stands at 4-0. According to the Northwest Missourian, the 4-0 start is the best start for Bearcat baseball since 1989.
The 1989 Bearcat baseball team had exemplary pitching, lots of speed, and a potent offense. That 1989 team pitching staff was led by Steve Nelson and his 2.60 ERA, 88 strike-outs, and 10 wins. Steve Chor never stopped running that season and stole 35 bases that season. 35 stolen bases stands as the single season record in Northwest history. Offensively, John Witkofsky hit .373, Ron Czanstkowski crushed 66 RBIs (single season record in Northwest history), 13 home runs, and 13 doubles, and Joe Iannuzzi hit 9 triples (single season record in Northwest history). The 1989 Bearcats went 42-13, 11-1 MIAA, with a loss in the championship game of the MIAA post-season tournament and NCAA regional qualifier. Speed to burn, power, pitching. I cannot imagine how many windshields had to be fixed with the 1989 Bearcat baseball team swinging the baseball bat that season.
Offensively, Jay Hrdlicka was the most valuable player in the game. Jay crushed the baseball all game long. In total, Hrdlicka went 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs, 1 run scored, including a triple and a home run. Also of note, Luke Hassman went 2 for 3 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored in the game. James Holler went 2 for 5 with 1 run scored in the game. Ozzie Adams went 2 for 4 with 1 run scored and a sacrifice. In addition, Alix Herrera earned 1 hit and scored a run. Landon Figg went 1 for 3 with with 1 run scored and 1 walk. Logan Rycraft also earned a hit in the game. In total, Northwest scored 6 runs off of 11 hits, 5 RBIs, 1 walk, 5 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.
Defensively, Northwest did not commit an error in the game.
Pitching, Eddy Kraeber made his Bearcat debut and first start at the NCAA Division 2 level against Fort Hays State. He did a good job. Eddy worked 4.2 innings, allowed 6 hits, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 0 balks, 0 wild pitches, and did not hit a batter. Cole Otto came in relief of Kraeber in the 5th inning and did a great job to get out of a jam. Cole Otto made his Bearcat debut by inducing the crucial third out to strand a runner on base. Cole ran into a little control trouble though beginning in the 6th inning. In total, Otto worked 0.1 inning, allowed 0 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 0 strike-outs, 0 balks, 0 wild pitches, and he hit a batter. Despite not retiring a batter in the 6th inning, Cole Otto picked-up the official victory in the game since he was the pitcher of record when the Bearcats took the lead. It is a feat that baseball statisticians can take pride in its unique setting. Congratulations to Cole Otto for picking-up the win in his Bearcat debut.
In the 6th, Jacob Wagner came into the game and shut the door. What another terrific performance by Wagner who is off to a fine start to his 2017 season. Jacob worked 1.0 inning, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he hit a batter. In the 7th inning, Jimmy McElwain came into the game and had his best performance so far in 2017. In total, Jimmy 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. In the 8th inning, Austin Battaglia came into the game and worked 0.2 of an inning, allowed 2 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter. With 2 outs in the 8th inning, Nikko Pablo came into the game and closed out to secure the victory for the Bearcats. In total, Nikko worked 1.1 inning, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. For his effort, Nikko picked-up his second save of the season.
NWMSU Athletics story on the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/2/7/baseball-at-arkansas-fort-smith.aspx
Next - Northwest will travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to participate in a 3-day tournament starting Thursday, February 9, 2017. Northwest will play Ouachita Baptist at 1pm. On Friday, February 10, 2017, Northwest will play Henderson State at 3pm. On Saturday, February 11, 2017, Northwest will play Truman State at Noon.
Go Cats!!
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