Opposition Research - William Jewell

Your Northwest Missouri State Bearcats baseball team will challenge the  William Jewell Cardinals in Maryville in a single 9-inning game on Tuesday, March  18, 2014, with first pitch set for 3pm. 2014 William Jewell Cardinals -  As of Sunday, March 16, the Cardinals are 3-6 on the year, 1-1 in their conference,  1-3 at home games and 2-3 at road games.  On the weekend of March 15-16, the  Cardinals traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, to play Bellarmine University having split  the first two games.  William Jewell was picked to finish 7th in the Western Division  of the GLVC as picked by the conference's baseball coaches. Head Coach Mike Stockton -  Mike Stockton is entering his eleventh season as the Head Baseball Coach at  William Jewell College. In his ten years at the helm of the Cardinals program  he has been named the Conference and Region “Coach of the Year” four times,  winning the awards in 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2009. Stockton’s teams have  either won the Conference or the Conference Tournament five times in ten  years.  They have also played in the Regional and / or National Tournament  the last 8 years in a row.  The Cardinals are averaging 42 wins a year and  have had 14 players sign professional baseball contracts. Stockton came to WJC after serving as the assistant coach at Dallas  Baptist University in Dallas, TX for two years where he was the infield  and hitting coach. The DBU squad made back-to-back trips to the  NAIA World Series, finishing as the National Champion runner-up in  2000 and fifth in 2001. Under Stockton’s guidance, the team set a new  NAIA single season record for double plays with 82 during the 2000 season. Prior to DBU, Stockton served as an assistant coach for the University of  Kansas baseball team from 1998-99, coaching the Jayhawk infielders and  assisting with hitting while earning a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology. Stockton played college baseball for Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS.  His team won the conference championship 2 out of 3 years he was there  and Stockton was named "Conference Player of the Year" his senior year  and was named to the “All-American” team. Following his graduation from Ottawa, where he received his Bachelor’s  degree in English, Stockton played with the Royal Antwerp Eagles out  of Antwerp, Belgium. He was the starting shortstop the next two years  for the club and was crowned the League’s Most Valuable Player in 1998. 2014 Statistics -  Batting & Defense Player avg gp-gs ab r h 2b 3b Hr rbi tb slg% bb hbp so gdp ob% sf sh sb sba po a e fld% Gorman, Vance .400 4-3 10 0 4 3 0 0 2 7 .700 0 0 2 0 .400 0 0 1 1 19 0 0 1.000 Waheed, Coleman .344 9-9 32 4 11 3 1 1 5 19 .594 0 0 10 0 .324 2 0 1 1 15 34 1 .980 Morman, Sam .267 9-9 30 1 8 1 0 0 1 9 .300 2 3 10 0 .371 0 0 0 1 11 1 1 .923 Brown, Hunter .240 7-7 25 6 6 1 0 0 1 7 .280 1 1 8 0 .296 0 0 1 1 19 2 1 .955 Porting, Bryan .222 9-9 27 1 6 0 0 0 1 6 .222 2 0 2 0 .276 0 0 2 2 11 22 2 .943 Goff, Nate .222 4-2 9 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 .222 0 0 0 0 .222 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 1.000 Tyson, Zach .185 9-9 27 0 5 0 0 0 2 5 .185 2 1 5 0 .267 0 0 0 0 31 7 1 .974 Lucchetti, Luke .152 9-9 33 3 5 1 1 0 0 8 .242 0 0 6 1 .152 0 0 0 0 19 3 1 .957 Gray, Jesse .130 8-6 23 1 3 1 0 0 2 4 .174 1 1 3 0 .200 0 2 2 2 6 0 0 1.000 Rice, Jordan .083 7-7 24 3 2 0 0 0 0 2 .083 2 0 2 0 .154 0 2 1 1 4 4 4 .667 O'Dowd, Clarke .038 8-7 26 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 .077 1 0 7 0 .074 0 0 0 0 82 6 0 1.000 ---------- Renzin, Bryan .333 2-2 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 .333 0 2 0 0 .600 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 1.000 Patton, Jared .286 2-2 7 1 2 0 0 0 0 2 .286 0 0 0 0 .286 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals .203 9-9 276 20 56 11 2 1 15 74 .268 11 8 55 1 .253 2 4 8 9 226 118 13 .964 Opponents .249 9-9 277 27 69 12 2 1 25 88 .318 5 5 31 1 .273 2 11 5 7 231 95 7 .979 Pitching Player era w-l app-gs cg sho sv ip h r er bb so 2b 3b hr ab b/avg wp hbp bk sfa sha Kirkpatrick, Billy 0.00 0-1 1-1 1 0-0 0 9.0 6 3 0 0 5 0 0 0 31 .194 0 0 0 1 1 Collins, David 1.75 1-2 3-3 2 0-0 0 25.2 24 9 5 1 8 2 1 0 97 .247 1 2 0 1 3 Felgate, Preston 2.08 1-2 3-3 0 0-0 0 21.2 18 7 5 1 10 3 1 1 78 .231 1 1 0 0 1 Mitrisin, Drew 2.81 1-0 2-2 1 0-0 0 16.0 17 7 5 2 8 5 0 0 61 .279 0 2 0 0 4 ---------- Mancha, Chris 0.00 0-0 1-0 0 0-0 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 0 0 1 Carano, Blaze 4.50 0-1 4-0 0 0-0 1 2.0 4 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 8 .500 1 0 0 0 1 Total 1.91 3-6 14-9 4 0 1 75.1 69 27 16 5 31 12 2 1 277 .249 3 5 0 2 11 Opponents 1.87 6-3 17-9 3 1 1 77.0 56 20 16 11 55 11 2 1 276 .203 3 8 2 2 4
Northwest Missouri State - Your Bearcats are 11-5, 8-5 MIAA so far in 2014 and are presently in 4th place in the MIAA baseball standings.  This past weekend, SBU swept Northwest by winning all 3 games in Maryville to spoil the Bearcats home opener.  However, despite the most recent 3 games, Northwest swept road opponents by beating Lincoln all 4 times in Jefferson City, MoWest both times in St. Joseph, and splitting 4 games with Nebraska-Kearney in Coffeyville, Kansas.
2014 Statistics -
Player   avg  gp-gs  ab  r  h  2b  3b  hr  rbi  tb  slg%  bb  hbp  so  gdp  ob%  sf  sh  sb-att  po  a  e  fld%  Pablo,Nikko   1.000  1-0  1  0  1  1  0  0  0  2  2.000  0  0  0  0  1.000  0  0  0-0  0  0  0  .000  Pomatto,Jon   .387  19-19  62  21  24  4  2  2  18  38  .613  13  1  8  0  .500  0  2  3-4  48  3  0  1.000  McGlauflin,Eric   .367  16-16  60  10  22  5  1  0  15  29  .483  7  1  9  0  .435  1  0  2-2  11  2  0  1.000  Meyer,Derek   .357  6-6  14  5  5  2  0  0  3  7  .500  4  0  1  1  .474  1  0  1-1  24  1  0  1.000  Ferreira,Zack   .338  19-19  65  10  22  5  0  0  14  27  .415  7  1  6  0  .411  0  1  0-2  4  24  1  .966  Johnson,Paul   .338  18-18  71  18  24  5  1  1  4  34  .479  5  3  6  1  .405  0  2  3-6  22  35  6  .905  Wulff,Austin   .328  18-17  61  23  20  4  0  4  12  36  .590  8  3  12  0  .425  1  2  1-2  24  0  0  1.000  Abernathy,Ryan   .315  19-19  73  19  23  7  0  0  11  30  .411  7  3  4  0  .393  1  1  3-5  42  3  4  .918  Garber,Steven   .313  17-16  48  12  15  2  0  0  15  17  .354  11  3  12  0  .468  0  3  0-0  121  10  0  1.000  Singleton,Alex   .286  5-2  7  1  2  0  0  0  1  2  .286  0  1  0  0  .375  0  1  0-0  1  0  0  1.000  Huske,Brandon   .282  17-17  71  10  20  3  0  0  14  23  .324  6  3  6  1  .358  1  0  1-1  28  47  4  .949  Wilkinson,Luke   .250  4-0  4  1  1  0  0  1  3  4  1.000  0  1  0  0  .400  0  0  0-0  3  0  0  1.000  Hardegree,Blake   .237  14-13  38  6  9  2  0  0  10  11  .289  7  1  10  0  .362  1  5  1-1  70  5  2  .974  Fort,Garrett   .190  9-6  21  5  4  0  1  0  8  6  .286  3  0  6  0  .280  1  1  0-0  5  8  1  .929  Holler,James   .125  4-3  8  1  1  0  0  0  0  1  .125  3  0  2  0  .364  0  0  0-1  13  1  2  .875  Douglas,Zachary   .000  2-0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  .000  0  0  1  0  .000  0  0  0-0  5  0  0  1.000  Totals   .319  19-19  605  142  193  40  5  8  128  267  .441  81  21  83  3  .413  7  18  15-25  432  170  22  .965  Opponents   .290  19-19  568  106  165  31  3  6  96  220  .387  62  20  96  4  .375  8  17  20-21  443  200  34  .950
Player   era  w-l  app-gs  cg  sho  sv  ip  h  r  er  bb  so  2b  3b  hr  ab  b/avg  wp  hbp  bk  sfa  sha  Pomatto,Jon   0.00  0-0  1-0  0  0/0  1  1.0  0  0  0  1  1  0  0  0  2  .000  0  0  0  0  1  Reutter,Blane   2.25  2-0  6-0  0  0/0  0  12.0  12  5  3  5  10  2  1  0  47  .255  1  0  0  0  0  Schmiedt,Brian   2.35  2-1  7-0  0  0/0  0  7.2  8  2  2  2  7  2  0  0  28  .286  2  2  0  1  1  Warren,Austin   4.22  1-2  4-4  1  0/0  0  21.1  23  15  10  6  10  1  1  1  82  .280  1  5  0  0  5  Fox, Ryker   4.40  3-1  6-6  0  0/0  0  30.2  28  16  15  17  24  6  0  2  115  .243  0  3  2  0  2  Pearcy,Hondo   4.55  2-1  6-4  0  0/0  0  27.2  28  15  14  6  15  6  0  2  103  .272  0  1  1  1  2  Smith,Tanner   4.76  0-0  5-0  0  0/0  0  5.2  4  3  3  7  5  0  0  0  19  .211  1  2  0  0  2  Trout,Andrew   7.71  0-0  3-0  0  0/0  0  2.1  2  3  2  3  1  1  0  0  9  .222  0  0  0  1  0  Klocko,Kole   9.24  1-1  4-3  0  0/0  0  12.2  17  13  13  7  8  6  0  0  53  .321  2  2  0  1  1  Perry,Daulton   9.64  0-0  6-0  0  0/0  0  4.2  5  5  5  0  2  0  1  1  19  .263  0  1  0  0  0  Henrichs,Rob   10.38  0-2  6-2  0  0/0  0  13.0  26  21  15  4  10  6  0  0  64  .406  1  2  0  2  3  Pablo,Nikko   13.50  0-0  4-0  0  0/0  0  5.1  12  8  8  4  3  1  0  0  27  .444  1  2  0  2  0  Totals   5.62  11-8  19-19  1  0/0  1  144.0  165  106  90  62  96  31  3  6  568  .290  9  20  3  8  17  Opponents   7.31  8-11  19-19  1  1/1  2  147.2  193  142  120  81  83  40  5  8  605  .319  13  21  2  7  18
Head Coach Darin Loe - Darin Loe has been the skipper of Northwest Missouri State's baseball program  since 2000. Loe posted seven consecutive winning seasons from 2002-08 - the Bearcats'  longest such streak in more than 25 years. The 2012 season also saw Loe  capture his 500th career win on the final day of the regular season in a sweep  over Lincoln on May 6. Loe has led Northwest to the MIAA tournament five times in his first six seasons. The 2010 squad gave Loe his seventh tournament berth and did so in spectacular  fashion, winning 15 of its final 23 regular-season games and four of its final five  series against league foes. Four Northwest teams have won at least 30 games under Loe including the 2003  squad which finished 36-17 and made the program's first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1989. That Bearcat squad placed second in the league  standings with a 20-8 record, went 1-1 at the MIAA tournament and beat Minnesota Duluth at the South Central Regional. Nine Bearcats have earned first-team All-MIAA honors under Loe including David Dugan, who was a two-time first-teamer. Loe has developed 30 All-MIAA  players overall which includes nine two-time all-conference performers. Adam Bailey was named All-America outfielder in 2000 and is one of Loe's two-time, all-league performers. Bailey was the program's first All-America choice since 1989. Before arriving to Maryville, Loe served three seasons as the head coach at Baker  University in Baldwin City, Kan. There, he led the Wildcats to HAAC tournament  championships in 1997 and 1998 and to a third-place regional finish in 1998. Loe's first head coaching gig came at Missouri Valley College in Marshall back in 1994. He spent three years there and led the Vikings to their first HAAC tournament  appearance in the process. In all, Loe has 17 seasons of collegiate head coaching experience. Loe was a dominating collegiate pitcher at Valley City State University in Valley City, N.D. More than 20 years since his last pitch there, Loe still holds program records for  career wins (28) and career strikeouts (380). He led the NAIA with 121 strikeouts  in 1987, which still stands as a program record. Loe was also a standout quarterback for the Vikings and entered the Valley City State Hall of Fame in October 2001. At the culmination of his collegiate career, Loe was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 26th round of the 1989 amateur draft. He played three seasons in the Mariner's  organization before entering the coaching ranks. Loe attained his bachelor's degree from Valley City State University in 1991 and a master's degree from North Dakota State University in the spring of 1994 where he  served as an assistant coach.  Team by Team comparison - Batting - NW .319; WJ .203 OBP - NW .413; WJ .253 SLG - NW .441; WJ .268 Fielding - NW .965; WJ .964 ERA - NW 5.62; WJ 1.91 Go Cats!! ###

SBU sweeps Northwest in 3-game series, game 4 cancelled due to snow

SBU sweeps Northwest in 3-game series, game 4 cancelled due to snow

Your Northwest Bearcats had a tough home opening weekend and lost 3 games to the visiting Southwest Baptist Bearcats from Bolivar.  Offensively, Northwest did fine but pitching and defense both had tough weekends.  With the three losses, Northwest's 2014 record stands at 11-5, 8-5 MIAA.  Your Bearcats presently stand in 4th place and 1.0 game behind 3rd place Emporia State.

Game 1 - Northwest lost the game 16-8 in a 9-inning affair in Maryville.  Your starting nine included Brandon Huske, SS, Paul Johnson, DH, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Austin Wulff, LF, Zack Ferreira, 3B, Jon Pomatto, RF, Steven Garber, 1B, Derek Meyer, C, Garrett Fort, 2B...and pitching was Austin Warren.

Offensively, Northwest scored 8 runs off of 10 hits, 7 RBIs, 10 walks, 7 strike-outs, and left 14 runners on base.  The Bearcat offensive star of the game was Zack Ferreira, 3 for 5 with 1 RBI.  Seven other Bearcats earned a hit including Brandon Huske (3 RBIs), Paul Johnson, Austin Wulff, Steven Garber (2 walks & 2 runs scored), Derek Meyer (2 walks & 2 runs scored), James Holler, and Garrett Fort (3 RBIs and a walk).  The Cats stole two bases in the game.

Defensively, the Cats had a tough day with 4 charged errors from Abernathy twice, Fort, and Henrichs.

Pitching, Austin Warren earned the start and had a tough day after he completed 3.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, 7 runs (4 earned), 1 walk, 1 strike-out, 0 balks, 0 wild pitches, and he hit 2 batters.  Rob Henrichs came into the game in the 4th inning and worked 1.2 innings, allowed 4 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 1 walk, 1 strike-out, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Blane Reutter had a stellar day after he came into the game in the 5th inning.  Blane worked 3.1 innings, allowed 4 hits, 1 run (earned), 1 walk, 5 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Daulton Perry came into the game in the 9th inning and worked 1.0 inning, allowed 3 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 0 walks, 0 strike-outs, 0 balks, 0 wild pitches, and he hit one batter.

Game 2 - Northwest lost the game 5-4 in a tough fashion with SBU scoring 4 runs in the final frame to take the lead and victory.  The game lasted 7 innings.  Your starting 9 include Brandon Huske, SS, Paul Johnson, 2B, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Austin Wulff, LF, Zack Ferreira, 3B, Jon Pomatto, RF, Steven Garber, 1B, Blake Hardegree, C, James Holler, DH, and your starting pitcher was Ryker Fox.

Offensively, Northwest scored 4 runs off of 10 hits, 4 RBIs, 2 walks, 5 strike-outs, and left 8 runners on base.  The 3 Bearcats offensive stars included Ryan Abernathy who went 2 for 2 with a walk and a run scored, Jon Pomatto went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, and Steven Garber who went 2 for 3 with a RBI.  Brandon Huske, Paul Johnson, Austin Wulff, and Zack Ferreira all earned a hit in the game.

Defensively, the 'Cats were not charged with an error.

Pitching, Ryker Fox earned the start and pitched very well until he ran into trouble in the 7th and final frame.  In total, Ryker worked 6.0 innings, allowed 6 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he hit one batter.  Brian Schmiedt came into the game in the 7th inning and worked 1.0 inning, allowed, 2 hits, 1 run (earned), 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and he hit a batter.

Game 3 - Northwest lost 11-7 to finish SBU's 3-game sweep over the green Bearcats in a 7-inning game.  Your starting 9 included, Brandon Huske, SS, Paul Johnson, 2B, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Austin Wulff, LF, Zack Ferreira, 3B, Jon Pomatto, RF, Steven Garber, 1B, Derek Meyer, C, Alex Singleton, DH, and your starting pitcher was Hondo Pearcy.

Offensively, Northwest scored 7 runs off of 9 hits, 6 RBIs, 5 walks, 1 strike-out, and left 10 runners on base.  The Bearcats offensive stars were Austin Wulff, who went 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs, a home run, and 2 runs scored, and Zack Ferreira, who went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.  Paul Johnson, Jon Pomatto, Derek Meyer, and Alex Singleton all earned a hit in the game.

Defensively, Northwest was charged with 2 errors in the game (Johnson 2).

Pitching, Hondo Pearcy earned the start and worked 4.0 innings, allowed 8 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 0 walks, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Tanner Smith came into the game and worked 0.1 inning, allowed 3 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Nikko Pablo came into the game in the 5th inning and worked 1.2 innings, allowed 1 hit, 1 run, 2 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Bex Trout came into the game to pitch the final inning and worked 1.0 inning, allowed 2 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, 0 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.

Game 4 - Cancelled due to snow and ice covered baseball field plus cold weather conditions.

Next up for the Bearcats - Your Bearcats play a mid-week game at William Jewell in Liberty, Missouri, then hit the road again to play Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas, for a four-game conference series.

Notable Bearcats -

Zack Ferreira hit .545 this weekend with 2 walks, 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and 0 errors playing 3B for your Bearcats.

Austin Wulff hit .500 this weekend with 1 walk, 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored, and 0 errors playing left field and batting clean-up for your Bearcats.

Steven Garber hit .375 this weekend with 3 walks, 2 RBIs, 3 runs scored, and 0 errors playing 1st base for your Bearcats.

Jon Pomatto hit .333 with 3 walks, 2 RBIs, 3 runs scored, and 0 errors playing right field for your Bearcats.

Derek Meyer hit .400 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored, and 0 errors playing in 2 of 3 games at catcher for your Bearcats.

 Blane Reutter worked 3.1 innings of relief, allowed only 1 earned run, 1 walks, and 5 strike-outs.









Go Cats!!
###

Bearcats sweep games 3 & 4, series against Lincoln U

Northwest sweeps games 3 & 4, series against Lincoln U

Your Northwest Bearcats baseball team swept Friday's double-header against Lincoln to win all four games in the series.  The Cats won game 3 by the score 12-3 and won game 4 by the score 11-7.  The games were all played at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

In game 3, Northwest won 12-3 in a seven-inning game.  Your starting nine include:  Brandon Huske, SS, Paul Johnson, 2B, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Eric McLaughlin, DH, Austin Wulff, LF, Steven Garber, 1B, Jon Pomatto, RF, Derek Meyer, C, Zack Ferreira, 3B, and your starting pitcher was Hondo Pearcy.

Offensively, the Cats scored 12 runs off of 14 hits, 12 RBIs, 3 walks, 3 strike-outs, with 4 runners left on base.  There were several offensive stars in the game for the 'Cats including Paul Johnson, who went 3 for 3 (including a double) with a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored, Ryan Abernathy, who went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored, Austin Wulff, who went 3 for 4 (with 2 doubles) with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored, and Jon Pomatto, who went 2 for 3 (including a double and a triple) with 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and a walk.  Luke Wilkinson had a clutch pinch hit home run and went 1 for 1 with 3 RBIs and a run scored.  Nikko Pablo made his non-pitching debut with a pinch hit base hit in one plate appearance and went 1 for 1 on the day (a double).  Steven Garber went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 1 walk.

Defensively, the Cats were charged with 1 error (Johnson) and turned 2 double-plays.

Pitching, Hondo Pearcy earned the start and the victory to see his 2014 record climb to 2-0.  Hondo worked 6.0 innings, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 2 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Andrew Bex Trout came into the game in the 7th inning and 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 game 4, your Bearcats won 11-7 in a 9-inning game to sweep the series against Lincoln.  Your starting nine include, Brandon Huske, SS, Paul Johnson, 2B, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Eric McLaughlin, DH, Austin Wulff, LF, Steven Garber, 1B, Jon Pomatto, RF, Blake Hardegree, C, Zack Ferreira, 3B, and your starting pitcher was Kole Klocko.

Offensively, the Bearcats scored 11 runs off of 14 hits, 11 RBIs, 5 walks, 4 strike-outs, and left 8 runners on base.  Your offensive stars included Paul Johnson, who went 3 for 4 (a triple) with 1 RBI, 1 walk, and 3 runs scored, Ryan Abernathy, who went 3 for 5 (2 doubles) with 2 RBIs and 4 runs scored, and Eric McLaughlin, who went 3 for 5 (including a double) with 4 RBIs and a run scored.  Of note, Zack Ferreira went 2 for 5 (including a double)with a RBI and a run scored.  In the game, Steven Garber, Jon Pomatto, and Blake Hardegree (a double) each earned a hit in the game.

Defensively, the Cats were charged with 1 error in the game (Abernathy) and turned 1 double-play.

Pitching, your Cats starting pitcher was Kole Klocko who worked 3.0 innings, allowed 2 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 4 walks, 4 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 0 balks, and 0 hit by pitches.  Rob Henrichs came into the game in the 4th inning and worked 2.1 innings, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 1 walk, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Blane Reutter came into the game in the 6th inning and worked 2.2 innings and picked-up the win in the game and allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 3 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.  Brian Schmiedt came into the game in the 9th inning and worked 1.0 inning, allowed 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 walks, 1 strike-out, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.

Bearcat notables -

Paul Johnson hit .642 with 3 walks in starting every game at 2B.

Ryan Abernathy hit .412 with 4 RBIs and 7 runs scored in the series.

Eric McLaughlin hit .471 with a walk, 6 RBIs, and 5 runs scored.

Austin Wulff hit .385 with 3 walks, a home run, 5 RBIs, and 7 runs scored.

Austin Warren earned a complete 9.0 innings victory in Game 2 against Lincoln without allowing an earned run, 3 strike-outs,  1 walk.

Hondo Pearcy worked 6.0 innings and picked-up his 2nd victory in 2014 with only allowing 2 earned runs, 2 walks, and 1 strike-out.










Go Cats!!
###

Northwest sweeps double-header against Lincoln U, Games 3 & 4 tomorrow

I confess that the Harlem Shake is now "been there, done that" or "soooo 2 years ago" but whenever your Northwest Missouri State Bearcats baseball team sweeps a double-header, it make me want to do the Harlem Shake....soooooo, with that said, your Bearcats sweep a double-header against Lincoln by winning games 1 & 2 on Thursday.  So, everybody, click play on your computer screen, step away from the screen, because your Bearcats won games 1 & 2, now, do the Harlem Shake....

Your Bearcats won game 1 by the score 9-2 in a 7-inning game to start the 4-game series against Lincoln University in Jefferson City.  Your Bearcats starting nine include:  Brandon Huske, SS, Paul Johnson, 2B, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Eric McLaughlin, DH, Austin Wulff, LF, Steven Garber, 1B, Jon Pomatto, RF, Derek Meyer, C, Zack Ferreira, 3B, and your starting pitcher is Ryker Fox.

Offensively, your Bearcats scored 9 runs off of 10 hits, 8 RBIs, 6 walks, and 3 strike-outs.  Your offensive stars included Zack Ferreira who went 3 for 4 with 4 RBIs & 2 doubles, and Eric McLaughlin who went 2 for 3 with 2 doubles, a walk, and 2 runs scored, and Jon Pomatto, who went 1 for 3, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, and 2 stolen bases.  Huske, Johnson, Garber, and Meyer, each earned a hit in the game.

Defensively, your Bearcats were not charged with an error.

Pitching, Ryker Fox earned the start and the win for your Bearcats after he worked 5.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 4 walks, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 2 balks, and 0 hit by pitches.  Tanner Smith came into the game in the 6th inning and worked 2.0 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, 2 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batter.

In game 2, your Bearcats beat the Lincoln U by the score 7-1 in a 9-inning game.  The starting 9 included: Brandon Huske, SS, Paul Johnson, 2B, Ryan Abernathy, CF, Eric McLaughlin, DH, Austin Wulff, LF, Steven Garber, 1B, Jon Pomatto, RF, Blake Hardegree, C, Zack Ferreira, 3B, and your starting pitcher was Austin Warren.

Offensively, your Bearcats scored 7 runs off of 12 hits, 7 RBIs, 4 walks, and 4 strike-outs.  Your offensive stars included Eric McLaughlin, who went 3 for 5 with a double, a stolen base, a RBI, and a run scored, Austin Wulff, who went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, a home run, 2 runs scored, and a walk, and Paul Johnson, who went 2 for 5 with a run scored.  In the game, Ryan Abernathy, Steven Garber, Jon Pomatto (a double), Blake Hardegree (a double), and Zack Ferreira, all earned a hit in the game.

Defensively, your Bearcats were charged with 2 errors (Ferreira and Abernathy).

Pitching, Austin Warren earned the start and win in the game and worked 9.0 innings, allowed 5 hits, 1 run (earned), 2 walks, 4 strike-outs, 0 wild pitches, 0 balks, and did not hit a batters, to earn the complete game victory for the Bearcats.

Your Bearcats will play games 3 & 4 on Friday, March 7, 2014, with first pitch set for noon at Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

Special tribute to the NWMSU men's basketball team -



Photo courtesy of northwestbearcats.com

 In tribute to Coach McCollum, Coach Meyer, and Coach Peterson, and the NWMSU Bearcats men's basketball team 2nd round game of the MIAA Post-season Conference Tournament in Kansas City, the B2R offers a special video I found on youtube.com that brings good karma to the 'Cats with a mix of baseball and basketball trick shots.  Enjoy

Go Cats!!
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B2R Analysis - Western, Lincoln University, and MIAA standings

B2R Analysis - Western, Lincoln University, and the MIAA Standings

Your Northwest Missouri State Bearcats baseball team has played all of their games on the road so far this season and earned a 7-5 overall and a 4-2 MIAA record with all games being away from Maryville.  As of March 4, 2014, your Bearcats are presently ranked 2nd in the MIAA baseball standings. 

Offensively, your Bearcats are producing at a terrific pace with a .391 on-base percentage, a .411 slugging percentage, and a .304 batting average as a team.  Northwest is averaging 7 runs per game, 2 extra-base hits per game, almost 5 walks/hit by pitches per game, and nearly 10 hits per game.  There are two Bearcats batting .400 or above (Huske & Pomatto), with an additional four Bearcats batting .300 or above (Meyer, McLaughlin, Garber, and Abernathy). 

Northwest won both games against Western despite the team's leading hitter, Brandon Huske, being out of the line-up.  In the 12 games of the 2014 NCAA season, Brandon is hitting a remarkable .436, slugging .487, with a .489 on-base percentage.  Jon Pomatto has had an exemplary start to the 2014 season.  Pomatto is hitting .400 while starting every game in right field, slugging .650, leading the team with 2 home runs, and a .478 on-base percentage.  Among your .300+ hitters, Northwest's #3 (Abernathy) and #4 (McLaughlin) have been producing at an ascending leveling with productive at bats.  Ryan Abernathy has hit in the third spot and started all 12 games so far for the 'Cats in center feld.  Abernathy is hitting .304, slugging .413, with a .377 on-base percentage.  Eric McLaughlin has started all 12 games with most starts as a DH.  McLaughlin has hit in the 4th spot all season and is built like a lumberjack.  In 12 games, Eric has hit .326 with a .395 slugging and a .412 on-base percentage.  Derek Meyer has produced offensively when he has started (2 spot starts) and is hitting .333 with a .333 slugging and a .429 on-base percentage.  Steven Garber has been a steady and ascending offensive producer his entire Bearcat career.  In 12 games, Garber is hitting .308 with a .385 slugging and a .438 on-base percentage. 

Of the Bearcats starters batting below .300, Paul Johnson is hitting .279 and fourth on the team in slugging with .442 percentage and only charged with 3 errors (2 of which came in one game in the first week of the season in his first season as a starting second baseman, Austin Wulff is batting .263 and third on the team in slugging with .447 as a true freshman and tied with the team lead in home runs (2), Blake Hardegree, batting .241, but a .343 on-base percentage, in his first season as the starting catcher for Northwest, and Zack Ferreira, batting .256 as a true freshman, .341 on-base percentage, starting every game, playing at either third base or short stop (0 charged errors at either third base or short stop).

Defensively, your Bearcats have been steadily improving and are presently at a team fielding percentage of .968.  In Northwest's two most recent games, your Bearcats were not charged with an error with true freshman Zack Ferreira starting at shortstop, Paul Johnson starting at second base, and Hardegree/Meyer each earning starts as catcher in the two games against the Griffons.  Your Bearcats starting outfield of Wulff, Abernathy, and Pomatto, has been a terrific trio of offense and defense with superior fielding skills and flight to fly balls and each displaying a very strong and accurate arm with their respective throws.  At catcher, Northwest has allowed 3 past balls (2 for Hardegree, coming in one series against Cameron University in the first week of the season, and 1 for Meyer against UNK).  But for the initial rust of the early season, the catchers have played very well behind the plate.

Pitching, your Bearcats have seen Ryker Fox take the ball as the team's ace and Friday starter in an unassuming and workmanlike way.  In four starts so far in 2014, Ryker has a 2-1 record, a 4.12 ERA, nearly 20 innings pitched and 17 strike-outs.  One of Ryker's four starts came right after he became very sick and he gutted-out a performance that got the 'Cats deep into the game with a chance to win.  Your Bearcats have seen the emergency of Hondo Pearcy as the team's #2 starter as a true freshman.  Hondo is leading all starters with his 3.57 ERA and he is second on the team with 10 strike-outs.  Hondo has appeared in 4 games with 2 starts.  Austin Warren has been the Bearcats workhorse every season he has been at Northwest.  Presently, Austin has started 2 games with a 5.79 ERA, nearly 10 innings pitched, and 6 strike-outs.  Kole Klocko has came on as the 'Cats 4th starter and has a 1-1 record, 8.38 ERA, 2 starts and 3 appearances, nearly 10 innings pitched, and 4 strike-outs.  Rob Henrichs has appeared in 4 games and 2 starts in 2014.  Rob has had a tough start to the 2014 season but is working hard to get back in the groove.  The coaching staff obviously think very highly of Henrichs as he started the season as the team's #3 starter. 

Your Bearcats' bullpen has been fantastic in 2014 with 6 of 7 relievers pitching with a 3.00 ERA or below.  Daulton Perry and Rob Schmiedt have been the 'Cats firemen putting out high leverage fires for the team in 2014.  Daulton has tied for the team lead in appearances with 5, all coming from the bullpen, with a 2.45 ERA, zero walks, and opponents are batting a mere .154 against him.  Rob Schmiedt is a firey competitor and also tied with the team lead in appearances (5).  Schmiedt has came in extremely high leverage situations and performed very well.  So far in 2014, Schmiedt is throwing a rediculous 1.59 ERA, 2-0 record, 5 strike-outs to only 2 walks.  Speaking of ridiculous, three 'Cats relievers has a 0.00 ERA with Tanner Smith consistently dominating the opposition with 3 appearances, 3.1 innings pitched, and opponents are batting .000 against him.  Jon Pommatto is the team's closer and has the 'Cats lone save in his one and only appearance.  Pomatto also has 0.00 ERA.

A few thoughts about the Western series - the Bearcats won in two distinct and equally important ways.  In the first game, the Cats came out flying and dominated the scoreboard.  The Griffons scored a few runs late in the game to make the final score seem close.  In fact, Northwest was leading 7-1 going into the final inning of game 1 and the Griffons hadn't scored any runs in that game since the 1st.  If the 'Cats got the Griffons attention in game 1, the win in game 2 was more important to the team's 2014 future then game 1.  In game 2, your Bearcats dug in and fought out a gritty victory against a very talented Western team.  Make no mistake, whatever reason or reasons that kept Western out of game 1 were long gone in game 2.  Coach Verduzco's team stormed back in game 2 with a 4-run 6th inning to close the game to 6-4 and then tie the game in the Top of the 9th.  Your Bearcats didn't back down or wilt in the pressure in the Griffons comeback attempt.  Northwest buckled down and scored a walk-off victory with Mr. Versatility himself (Garrett Fort) getting a base hit then moving to second on a failed pick-off attempt.  With one out, true freshman Zack Ferreira had a productive at bat and advanced Fort to third base with a ground-out to 1st.  Ryan Abernathy was then hit by a pitch and McLaughlin walked to load the bases for another true freshman, Austin Wulff, coming up with the big hit.  There is video of the walk-off victory available on Facebook and its obvious the game meant a lot to the team.  The 'Cats ran on the field to huddle around Wulff after his clutch base hit with plenty of smiles to go around.  That's a team.  Your Bearcats play and fight as a team.

A few thoughts about the Lincoln series - On paper, LU doesn't have the offense or pitching statistics like the Bearcats.  The Blue Tigers have a lot of unknowns still to discover in 2014.  Of all teams, the Cats will know unknown isn't necessarily a good thing for opponents (Exhibit A - Hondo Pearcy, Exhibit B - Austin Wulff, Exhibit C - Zack Ferreira, and Exhibit D - Blake Hardegree).  The Bearcats have started out 2014 with a bang but this is no time to stop and be satisfied with what has been accomplished.  The next series is upon them and mother nature has cancelled yet another mid-week tune-up game for the 'Cats (Rockhurst).  The 'Cats will have plenty of pitching and the team's depth will be tested with the "new" 4-game weekend series format the MIAA re-implemented in 2014.  Give me a team that pulls for each other, plays with an edge yet loose, with the mindset that they know and believe they can win, and I will take my chances against anybody.

Go Cats!!
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