Northeastern State sweeps Bearcats, Home opener this Friday

Tahlequah, OK - Northeastern State won games two and three over Northwest Missouri State to sweep the 3-game series. Northwest is 8-5, 0-3 MIAA in 2017. Northwest is in a 4-way tie with an 0-3 MIAA record along with Washburn, Fort Hays State, and Pittsburgh State Universities. The stories of the games changed as either (1) Northwest couldn't muster enough offense to help their starting pitching, (2) starting pitching could not go deep into the game, or (3) the defense gave unearned runs and extra outs. In game 1, Northwest's starting pitching lasted 2.1 inning, the Bearcat defense committed 2 errors that led to 1 unearned run, and 2 of the 4 Northwest runs came in the 9th inning when the game was 8-2. In game 2, Northwest's starting pitching took a no hitter to the 7th inning and worked a complete game but the Bearcat offense only had 3 players with a hit in the game and wasted the 7 walks and 6 hit batsmen given by the Riverhawks. In game 3, Northwest's starting pitching had to leave in the 5th inning without getting an out, defense committed 3 errors that led to 3 unearned runs, and the offense mustered 6 hits (3 from Ozzie Adams) and stranded 9 runners.

Despite the disappointing start to the MIAA Conference play, Northwest finally gets some home games and will play their home opener this weekend against Lindenwood University. Last year, Lindenwood hit the ball hard and the games were intense. Plan now to attend each of the 3 games to watch.

Game 2 - Despite Anthony Caenepeel taking a no hitter into the 7th inning, Northwest could not muster enough offense to take advantage of AC's exemplary pitching performance as Northwest lost 3-2.

Offensively, Northwest could not muster the big hit to take advantage of 7 walks and 6 hit batsmen, and left 16 runners on base. Only three Bearcats managed hits in the game. Your offensive MVPs of the game were Ozzie Adams and Luke Hassman. Ozzie Adams went 2 for 3 with 1 walk in the game. Luke Hassman went 2 for 3 with 1 walk in the game. Garrett Fort went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 1 walk in the game. In total, Northwest scored 2 runs off of 5 hits, 2 RBIs, 7 walks, 11 strike-outs, and left 16 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest did not commit an error in the game. 

Pitching, Anthony Caenepeel took a no hitter into the 7th inning but ran into trouble as Northeastern State would score all the runs they would need to win the game 3-2. In total, Anthony's performance was exemplary but his record falls to 3-1 in 2017. In total, Anthony worked 8.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 12 strike-outs, and hit 1 batter in the game. 

NWMSU story on the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/2/25/baseball-saturday.aspx

Game 3 - Northwest had a tough day defensively and at the plate and therefore lost Game 3 to Northeastern State by the score 6-3. Northwest's record fell to 8-5, 0-3 MIAA with the series sweep. 

Offensively, Ozzie Adams was your offensive MVP in the game. In total, Ozzie Adams went 3 for 4 with 1 walk in the game. Alix Herrera went 1 for 5 with 1 RBI on the day. Landon Figg went 1 for 3 (a double) with 1 RBI in the game. Luke Hassman went 1 for 3 (a home run) with 1 RBI and 1 run scored on the day. In total, Northwest scored 3 runs off of 6 hits, 3 RBIs, 4 walks, 10 strike-outs, and left 9 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 3 errors that led to 3 unearned runs in the game. 

Pitching, Brad Roberts earned the start in the game but was tagged with the loss in the game. Brad's record fell to 1-2 with the decision. In total, Brad worked 4.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, 4 runs (only 2 earned), 7 walks, 3 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, and hit 2 batters in the game. Logan Moose worked 1.0 inning, allowed 1 hit and 1 run in his outing in the 5th inning. Quintin VanAckeren came into the game in the 6th and worked 1.0 inning, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 0 strike-outs in his outing. Jimmy McElwain came into the game in the 7th and worked 1.0 inning, allowed 2 hits, 1 unearned run, 0 walks, and 1 strike-out in the game. In the 8th inning, Austin Battaglia came into the game and worked 1.0 inning, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks and struck-out 2 batters in the game. 

NWMSU story on the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/2/26/baseball-sunday.aspx

Next - Northwest celebrates its home opening weekend series commencing this Friday, March 3, 2017, at 2pm, at Bearcat baseball field against Lindenwood Univesity. Northwest will play game 2 against Lindenwood on Saturday, March 4, 2017, 2pm, Bearcat baseball field. Northwest will play game 3 against Lindenwood on Sunday, March 5, 2017, 1pm, Bearcat baseball field. 

Go Cats!!

###