Maryville, Mo. - As promised the Northwest/Lindenwood series in Maryville proved to be an epic clash between proud and talented baseball clubs this past weekend. Northwest won the series 2-1 thanks to Brad Roberts' exemplary performance in Game 3 on Sunday. Northwest won the series against a Lindenwood squad that swept its first MIAA Conference series the previous weekend. Northwest's offense had a terrific weekend scoring 23 total runs in the series (7.67 runs/game average). There were also teaching moments that the Cats can take with them following the series. Every game flows from the defense. Northwest had tough days defensively in Games 1 and 2. While the Cats won Game 1 (a tense finish), they lost Game 2 despite an incredible rally. Game 3 is the case study how defense feeds into pitching which feeds into batting. 0 errors, 0 runs allowed, 10 runs scored. The Bearcat way of pitching and defense will be this club's calling card if they want to continue to win. The pitching is there and will keep Northwest in every game regardless of the quality of opposing offenses. Brad Roberts had his best performance in 2017 on Sunday in Game 3 with a complete game shut-out victory. The 3 horsemen, Hietpas, Caenepeel, and Roberts, are going to give the Cats the match-up to win every remaining series this season. The difference is going to be how well the defense plays.
After crunching the box scores from the Lindenwood series, a few thoughts from the B2R:
1) It looks like Coach Loe is settling in on his line-up and the Bearcats have a deep bench with guys that can hit for power and/or speed to burn;
2) Bearcat defense holds the cards for the team this season - A defense that fields .970+ will have the 'Cats in a dog pile at the NCAA regional tournament championship. Currently, Northwest is fielding .968;
3) Good to see exemplary play be rewarded with additional playing time - Jimmy McElwain has had a terrific start to the 2017 NCAA season as previously chronicled by the B2R. So far, he has been given 1.0 innings in most cases. In the Lindenwood series, Jimmy got the opportunity to pitch 2.0 innings and did a good job. Hard work pays off and Coach Loe rewards hard work. Love to see that.
Game 2 - Lindenwood beat Northwest 7-5 in a game with two stories. Early in the game, defensive miscues and lack of offense reared its ugly head for your Bearcats for the second consecutive game. The Bearcats were down 6-0 going into the bottom of the 7th inning having allowed 3 unearned runs and a total of 3 errors. Later in the game, everything changed in the bottom of the seventh. The Bearcats would rally and score 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th and 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th to close the game to 6-5. Lindenwood would score 1 run in the 9th to make the score 7-5 and Northwest could not score any more runs to finish with the loss.
Offensively, Logan Rycraft was Northwest's MVP for the second consecutive game. In total, Logan went 2 for 4 (including a double) with 1 RBI and 1 run scored in the game. Kevin Handzlik went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored on the day. James Holler went 2 for 4 (including a double) with 1 run scored in the game. Garrett Fort went 2 for 5 (including a double) with 1 RBI and 1 run scored on the day. Jay Hrdlicka went 1 for 3. Alix Herrera went 1 for 4 (a double) with 2 RBIs. In total, Northwest scored 5 runs off of 10 hits, 4 RBIs, 0 walks, 6 strike-outs, and left 7 runners on base.
Defensively, Northwest committed 3 errors that led to 3 unearned runs.
Pitching, Anthony Caenepeel earned the start but picked up the loss to see his 2017 record fall to 3-2. In total, Anthony worked 6.2 innings, allowed 10 hits, 6 runs (only 3 earned), 1 walk, and 6 strike-outs. In the 7th inning, Jacob Wagner came into the game and worked 0.1 of an inning, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 0 strike-outs. In the 8th inning, Jimmy McElwain came into the game and worked the final 2.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, and 2 strike-outs.
NWMSU's article on the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/3/4/baseball-lindenwood-2.aspx
Game 3 - Northwest beat Lindenwood 10-0 in a run-rule shortened game to clinch the series victory in Game 3 on Sunday at Bearcat baseball field.
Offensively, the there were two performances deserving of MVP celebration in Game 3. James Holler is one MVP and went 2 for 3 (a double and a triple), 3 RBIs, 1 run scored, and 1 walk in the game. The other MVP is Landon Figg who went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored on the day. Garrett Fort earned 2 walks and scored 2 runs in the game. Ozzie Adams had 1 hit, earned a walk, and scored 3 runs on the day. Luke Hassman went 1 for 3 with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored in the game. Kolby Greenslade went 1 for 1 with 1 RBI in a pinch hitting role late in the game. Alix Herrera and Logan Rycraft each earned 1 walk on the day.
In total, Northwest scored 10 runs off of 8 hits, 9 RBIs, 6 walks, 5 strike-outs, and left 4 runners on base.
Defensively, Northwest did not commit an error in the game.
Pitching, Brad Roberts had his best pitching performance in 2017 and earned the victory for his effort. The win increases Brad's 2017 record to 2-2. In total, Brad worked 7.0 innings for the complete game win, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 3 walks, and 6 strike-outs in the game. Lindenwood's calling card is its offense and Roberts shut them down. Add in terrific defense and the Bearcats won the Bearcat way with pitching and defense.
NWMSU's article on the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/3/5/baseball-lindenwood-3.aspx
Next for NWMSU - Your Bearcat baseball team stays in Maryville for a huge MIAA series against Washburn on March 10, 11, and 12. Game 1 of the series is Friday, March 10, with first pitch at 2pm. Game 2 is Saturday, March 11, with first pitch at 2pm. Game 3 is Sunday, March 12, with first pitch at 1pm.
Go Cats!!
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