Maryville, MO - In this week in Bearcat baseball, mother nature & Ichabod starting pitching prove too much for your Bearcat baseball team. Washburn won the series 2-1 after the series moved to Topeka with a weather forecast expecting cold and snowy conditions. The move was a good call as Northwest's softball team stayed in Maryville only to have to cancel the games due to weather conditions. Northwest won its true home game 5-1 thanks to Joseph Hietpas' exemplary MIAA Pitcher of the Week caliber performance. Both teams would then travel to Topeka to play a double-header on Friday where Washburn would sweep winning 6-2 & 8-2 respectively. Following the Washburn series, Northwest's 2017 record is 11-8, 3-6 MIAA.
The B2R will highlight what's going right with the Bearcat baseball team and who had a terrific week on the baseball field. First, let's look at a snapshot of the Bearcat baseball team at this point in the season.
Bearcat baseball snapshot - As a team, Northwest is batting .275, with a .372 on-base, and .388 slugging percentage, averaging 5.95 runs per game, 1.26 errors per game, .965 fielding percentage, .95 unearned runs per game, 3.38 ERA for the Bearcat pitching staff, 5 complete games, 150 strike-outs, and only 69 walks.
Logan Rycraft has made a quick adjustment to MIAA caliber baseball and raised his batting average over 130 points since the conclusion of the Northeastern State University Series. Following Northeastern State, Logan, a slick fielding short stop in his first year at Northwest Missouri State University, was batting .132 and built that up from a low of .095. Something clicked during practice that followed the series and Logan has been on a tear since. The next series was against Lindenwood and Logan went 5 for 9 (.556 average). This week, Logan went 5 for 9 (.556 average) against Washburn and raised his season average to .268. During the Washburn series, Logan scored 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 walks, 1 stolen base, 0 strike-outs, 0 errors. In short, Logan's offense is going up and his fielding errors are going down. A B2R attaboy to Logan Rycraft for a terrific week against Washburn and his continued ascension on the baseball field.
Joseph Hietpas put in a MIAA Pitcher of the Week caliber performance in Game 1 versus Washburn with a complete 9.0 inning victory. Hietpas threw 106 pitches and worked 9.0 innings, allowed a mere 2 hits, a mere 1 walk, a mere 1 run, 8 strike-outs, and hit 1 batter. Joe lowered his ERA 77 points and now sits at 3.28. A B2R attaboy to Joseph Hietpas on his exemplary performance against Washburn this week.
Landon Figg is continuing his hot offensive performance as the Bearcats most consistent threat. In the Washburn series, Landon went 4 for 12 with a double, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, and 0 errors while playing third base. So far in 2017, Landon is leading the team with a .324 batting average, scoring 14 runs, 24 hits, 8 doubles, 13 RBIs, .432 slugging percentage, 8 walks, 1 hit by pitch, and 11 strike-outs. Landon has played terrific defense following the Northeastern State series. A B2R attaboy to Landon Figg for his terrific play this season and this week against Washburn.
Ozzie Adams had a terrific week of baseball against Washburn and is effectively putting together his best season as a Bearcat. In the Washburn series, Ozzie went 3-10, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 1 double, 2 walks, 1 sacrifice fly, 1 strike-out, and committed only 1 error. Ozzie's batting average has been on the rise for the past month and currently sits at .316, .468 slugging, and .398 on-base percentage. A B2R attaboy to Ozzie Adams for a terrific week of baseball for your Northwest Bearcats.
Quintin VanAckeren is putting together quite a freshman year at Northwest Missouri State University. VanAckeren had a terrific week of baseball against Washburn. He came into the game out of the bullpen and effectively pitched 2.0 innings, allowed only 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 3 strike-outs, and hit 1 batter to see his season ERA fall to 1.42. Quintin is a Freshman from Omaha, Nebraska, and a graduate of Papillion LaVista South High School. A B2R attaboy to Quintin VanAckeren on a terrific week of baseball.
Jacob Wagner has become the Bearcats right-handed fire extinguisher in 2017. Perhaps a better example of Jacob's role for Northwest this season is he is the "PULL IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" fire alarm that Coach Loe can call upon whenever the Cats are in trouble. The 6'2" righty comes in when called upon, puts out the fire in less than 1.0 inning and keeps the Cats in the game. Jacob puts out the fire. Jacob is the fire alarm that you pull in case of an emergency. Jacob had a terrific week of baseball for Northwest Missouri State. Against Washburn, Wagner made two appearances (0.1 of an inning in 1 appearance and 0.2 of an inning in the other appearance), allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, and lowered his ERA to 1.59. A B2R attaboy to Jacob Wagner on a terrific week of baseball.
Nikko Pablo had a terrific week of baseball against Washburn. Nikko worked 2.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, hit 1 batter, and lowered his ERA to 3.45. Nikko is the probably the one player on Northwest's roster that can play all 9 fielding positions. While he stands 5'7", his heart is 100 feet tall. The Senior from Stockton, California, graduated from Ronald E McNair High School and a B2R favorite. A B2R attaboy to Nikko Pablo for a terrific week of baseball.
Next for NWMSU baseball - Your Bearcat baseball team will play non-conference opponents this week with a mid-week clash against William Jewell College on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in Maryville, at 2pm. Northwest will then travel to Kansas City to play Rockhurst University on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 3pm. Rockhurst and Northwest will then both drive to Maryville for a 2nd game on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at 1pm.
Go Cats!!
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