Hietpas, Bearcat bullpen, & a big 8th as Cats top Lions

Maryville, Mo. - Joseph Hietpas and the Bearcat bullpen came through again as Northwest beat Southern 6-2 thanks to a big 8th inning on Saturday in Maryville. Hietpas did not allow a run until the 6th inning. Hietpas made Southern go 3 up 3 down in the first 3 innings of the game. In the 4th, the only runner that reached base was due to a 2-out bunt. Hietpas reduced one of the most potent offenses in recent MIAA history to a bunt after almost 4 innings of failure. Attaboy Joe. Your Bearcat baseball team is now 23-10, 12-8 MIAA, and currently sit in 5th place by mere percentage points in the MIAA standings.

Hang in there Bearcat fans, this baseball team has a make-up of the 2015 Kansas City Royals team with strong starting pitching, exemplary lights out bullpen, strong defense, and timely hitting.

In the game, Northwest was trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the 8th inning. To start the bottom of the 8th, Southern made a few defensive changes to first and second base. James Holler was the first Bearcat batter and was hit by the first pitch of the inning. Jay Hrdlicka promptly laid down the perfect bunt and safely reached base. With runners on first (Hrdlicka) and second (Holler), Coach Loe pinch hit Kevin Handzlik for Luke Wilkinson. Handzlik put down a sacrifice bunt advancing Holler to third and Hrdlicka to second with 1 out. Coach Loe pinch ran Joseph Curtis for Jay Hrdlicka at second base. Kolby Greenslade grounded out for the second out. The runners did not advance with two outs. Logan Rycraft then walked to load the bases with two outs. Garrett Fort came through in the clutch, again, and scored 2 Bearcat runners. Fort advanced to second on the throw. Southern made a pitching change. The pitching change did not work. Ozzie Adams singled to left field and scored 2 runs. Landon Figg singled to right field and Ozzie Adams advanced to third base. Southern made another pitching change. Coach Loe called a double steal and it worked to perfection as Figg successfully stole second and Ozzie Adams successfully stole home. Luke Hassman was then hit by a pitch to put runners on first (Hassman) and second (Figg). Southern made another pitching change. Holler then struck out to end the inning after scoring 5 runs, 4 hits, and left 2 runners on base.

Offensively, Garrett Fort was Northwest's most valuable player in the game. Garrett went 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 1 run scored as the Bearcat center fielder. Ozzie Adams went 1 for 5 with 2 RBIs and a run scored as the Bearcat second baseman. Landon Figg, 3B, went 1 for 2 with 3 walks and 1 run scored in the game. Luke Hassman went 1 for 4 as the Bearcat right fielder. James Holler, 1B, went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored in the game. Jay Hrdlicka, C, went 1 for 3 with 1 walk on the day. Luke Wilkinson went 1 for 3 as the Bearcat designated hitter. Kolby Greenslade, LF, went 1 for 3 with 1 walk in the game. Logan Rycraft earned a walk and scored a run as the Bearcat short stop. In total, Northwest scored 6 runs off of 9 hits, 5 RBIs, 6 walks, 10 strike-outs, and left 11 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 1 error that led to 1 unearned run in the game.

Pitching, Joseph Hietpas earned the start in the game. Hietpas pitched an exemplary game and worked 6.0 innings, allowed 5 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 1 walk and 5 strike-outs in the game. In the 7th inning, Jacob Wagner came into the game and worked 1.0 inning without allowing a hit or a run. In the 8th, Austin Battaglia came into the game and worked 1.0 inning without allowing a hit or a run. Austin picked-up the win for his effort and saw his 2017 record climb to 3-0. Nikko Pablo came into the game in the 9th inning and worked 1.0, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks and 2 strike-outs in the game.

NWMSU's article on the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/4/8/baseball-mssu-saturday.aspx

Next - Northwest goes for the series sweep on Sunday, April 9th, in Maryville. First pitch is 1pm at Bearcat baseball field.

Go Cats!!
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Clutch Fort delivers again as Cats win with a Walk off

Maryville, Mo. - Garrett Fort had quite a day against Missouri Southern in Game 1 of the 3-game series but nothing bigger than the walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th to win the game for your Bearcat baseball team by the score 7-6 at Bearcat baseball field in Maryville. There are so many story lines in this game. The Bearcat bullpen came through AGAIN and held the Lions scoreless for 4 innings. Quintin VanAckeren, Jacob Wagner, Austin Battaglia, and Nikko Pablo all combine for 4.0 innings and 0 runs. Sprinkle in some bottom of the 9th Bearcat magic and Northwest rushed the field in celebration. With the win, Northwest is now 22-10, 11-8 MIAA.

What a game. Above is the footage of the final pitch.

Offensively, Garrett Fort was Northwest's most valuable player in the game. In total, Fort went 3 for 6 with 2 RBIs and a stolen base. Landon Figg went 2 for 2 with a home run, 3 walk, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored in the game. Luke Hassman went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and 1 walk on the day. Kolby Greenslade went 2 for 5 with 1 run scored in the game. Ozzie Adams went 1 for 5 with 1 run scored on the day. James Holler went 1 for 5 with 1 RBI in the game. Jay Hrdlicka earned 2 walks and scored 1 run on the day. Logan Rycraft earned 1 walk and scored 1 run in the game. In total, Northwest scored 7 runs off of 11 hits, 5 RBIs, 7 walks, 3 strike-outs, and left 10 runners on base.

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

Pitching, Anthony Caenepeel earned the start but did not factor in the game's decision. In total, Anthony worked 6.0 innings, allowed 9 hits, 6 runs, 0 walks, 9 strike-outs, 3 wild pitches and 1 balk in the game. In the 7th inning, Quintin VanAckeren came into the game and worked 0.1 of an inning, allowed 1 hit and 1 walk in his outing. With 2 runners on base and 1 out in the Top of the 7th, Jacob Wagner came into the game and worked another masterful performance. The B2R has given Wags many titles trying to capture the huge performances he has had this season. This performance was so big you can call Wags the Rolaids man. Pop pop fizz fizz oh what a relief it is. Wags shut down the Southern offense for two huge outs to keep them off the board. Fire extinguisher. Rolaids man. Pull in case of an emergency. Just call him a stud. In the 8th inning, Austin Battaglia came into the game and worked 1.0 inning and did not allow a hit or a run and struck out 1 batter. Tags worked a clean inning. The guy is a surgeon on the mound. In the 9th inning, Nikko Pablo came into the game and worked 1.0 inning and allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 2 walks and 0 strike-outs.

NWMSU's article of the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/4/7/baseball-mssu-friday.aspx

Next - Northwest and Southern face-off in Game 2 at Bearcat baseball field on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at 2pm.

Go Cats!!
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This Week in Bearcat Baseball - New Strike-out King & a 4-0 week

Maryville, Mo. - There is a new strike out king at Northwest Missouri State and the Bearcats went 4-0 in this week in Bearcat baseball. Your Northwest Bearcat baseball team swept the Pitt State Gorillas over the weekend then beat the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers to win all four games this week. All four games were on the road. With this week's success, the Bearcats have jumped in the MIAA standings from 11th to 8th and are now in a play-off position.

During the Pitt State series, Anthony Caenepeel was the story of the series as he struck out 14 Gorillas in a complete game shut out victory in Game 1. Caenepeel became the career strike out leader at Northwest Missouri State University with his performance in the game.

Snapshot of NWMSU - Your Bearcat baseball team is 21-10, 10-8 MIAA at this point in the season. Northwest is 8-3 in Maryville, 12-6 on the road, and 1-1 at neutral site games this season. Offensively, Northwest is batting .285, slugging .419, on-base .376, and scoring 6.19 runs per game. Defensively, Northwest is fielding .970 this season. Pitching, Northwest has a 3.09 ERA and average 8 strike-outs and 2 walks per game.

Bearcats that had good weeks of baseball:

Anthony Caenepeel became the career strike-out leader in Northwest Missouri State history on Friday against the Gorillas. Anthony worked a complete game shut-out victory and struck-out 14 batters and only allowed 2 walks. In total, Caenepeel worked 9.0 innings, allowed 5 hits, 0 run, 2 walks and 14 strike-outs in the game. A B2R attaboy to Anthony Caenepeel on an exemplary week of baseball.

Garrett Fort went 10 for 18 with 4 runs scored, 4 RBIs, 3 doubles, 3 stolen bases and was hit by a pitch. On the season, Fort is batting .315, slugging .441, and on-base .412 percentages. Garrett is 2nd on the team in hitting. A B2R attaboy to Garrett Fort on an exemplary week of baseball.

Jay Hrdlicka went 7 for 16 with 5 runs scored, 6 RBIs, 1 double, 3 home runs, and 2 walks this week. On the season, Hrdlicka is 3rd on the team in batting with a .315 average, #1 on the team with a .596 slugging, and #1 on the team with a .460 on-base percentage. A B2R attaboy to Jay Hrdlicka on an exemplary week of baseball.

Ozzie Adams went 6 for 15 with 3 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 3 walks, 1 stolen base, only 1 strike-out and was hit by a pitch. On the season, Ozzie is leading the team with a .336 batting average, with a .464 slugging and a .430 on-base percentage. A B2R attaboy to Ozzie Adams on an exemplary week of baseball.

Landon Figg went 5 for 18 with 4 runs scored, 1 RBI, 1 double and was hit by a pitch this week. On the season, Figg is hitting .302, slugging .413, and on-base .362. A B2R attaboy to Landon Figg on an exemplary week of baseball.

Logan Rycraft went 4 for 11 with 5 runs scored, 1 RBI, 2 doubles, 2 walks, 1 hit by a pitch and 1 sacrifice on the week. On the season, Logan is .293, slugging .359, and on-base .431. A B2R attaboy to Logan Rycraft on an exemplary week of baseball.

Joseph Hietpas earned a victory in Game 2 versus Pitt State this past weekend. In total, Hietpas worked 7.1 innings, allowed 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 3 strike-outs and 1 wild pitch. In 2017, Hietpas is 4-1 with a 2.80 ERA, 2 complete games, 20 walks, 57 strike-outs, and opponents are batting a mere .198 against him. A B2R attaboy to Joseph Hietpas on an exemplary week of baseball.






Bearcat bullpen of Jacob Wagner, Quintin VanAckeren, Austin Battaglia, and Nikko Pablo combined for 8.2 innings pitched without allowing a run this weekend. A B2R attaboy to the Bearcat bullpen on an exemplary week of baseball.

Next - Your Bearcat baseball team plays Missouri Southern this weekend in Maryville. MoSo is currently in 7th place in the MIAA standings. Game 1 is Friday, April 7th at 3pm. Game 2 is Saturday, April 8th at 2pm. Game 3 is Sunday, April 9th at 1pm.

Go Cats!!
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Groovy Greenslade's Grand Go ahead Gives Glorious Bearcats walk-off, 5-4

Kearney, Nebraska - Kolby Greenslade shows that a little can do attitude goes along way as he hit a game winning double in the bottom of the 9th inning to score Jay Hrdlicka for a walk-off victory over the University of Nebraka-Kearney Lopers by the score 5-4. The game was moved to Kearney, Nebraska by agreement. Northwest's Eddy Kraber has been very impressive as the mid-week starter this season. Kraber had another quality outing in this game. Northwest's bullpen was even better as four relievers combined for 4 scoreless innings to give the 'Cats a chance to win the game. Garrett Fort had a terrific game in the field and in the batter's box against the Lopers. Fort has been a terrific leader in center field for Northwest and a huge offensive spark plug for the 'Cats this season. Fort set the table for the Bearcat line-up and the boys kept fighting until they walked-off the field with a victory. Northwest is now 21-10, 10-8 MIAA in 2017. The Bearcats are now in 8th place in the MIAA standings with Tuesday's victory.

Offensively, Garrett Fort was Northwest's most valuable player in the game. In total, Fort went 2 for 4 (including a double) with a stolen base and a run scored on the day. Ozzie Adams went 1 for 3 with a walk as Northwest's second baseman. Landon Figg went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI, was hit by a pitch, and a run scored in the game. Luke Hassman went 1 for 4 (a home run) with 2 RBIs and a run scored as Northwest's right fielder. James Holler went 1 for 4 (a home run) with 1 RBI and a run scored in the game. Jay Hrdlicka went 1 for 4 with a run scored as Northwest's catcher. Kevin Handzlik went 1 for 3 with a walk as the Designated Hitter. Kolby Greenslade had the game winning double to drive in Jay Hrdlicka to win the game for our Bearcats. In total, Kolby went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI as the left fielder. Logan Rycraft went 1 for 3 as the short stop. In total, Northwest scored 5 runs off of 10 hits, 5 RBIs, 2 walks, 5 strike-outs, and left 3 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 2 errors in the game that resulted in 1 unearned run.

Pitching, Eddy Kraber earned the start and worked 5.0 innings, allowed 8 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 0 walks and 6 strike-outs. In the 6th inning, Quintin VanAckeren came into the game and had a fine outing. In total, Quintin worked 1.2 innings, allowed 1 hit, no runs, no walks and no strike-outs. With 2 outs in the 7th inning, Jacob Wagner came into the game and worked 0.1 of an inning, allowed 1 hit, no runs, no walks and 1 strike-out. In the 8th inning, Austin Battaglia came into the game and worked 0.2 of an inning. Battaglia allowed no hits, no runs, no walks and 1 strike-out in the game. With a runner on second and 2 outs in the 8th, Coach Loe called for Nikko Pablo to close out the game. Nikko induced a ground-out to second base to end the Lopers' threat in the 8th. In the 9th, Nikko forced the first Loper to ground out to third base for the first out. Nikko struck-out the second Loper for the next out. Nikko ended the inning when the third Loper batter grounded out first base to pitcher covering the bag. 

NWMSU's article on the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/4/4/baseball-unk.aspx

UNK's article on the game - http://www.lopers.com/news/2017/4/4/baseball-late-run-propels-northwest.aspx

Next - An absolutely huge weekend conference series for Northwest this weekend as your Bearcats host the Missouri Southern Lions in a 3-game series. Game 1 is Friday, April 7th at 3pm. Game 2 is Saturday, April 8th at 2pm. Game 3 is Sunday, April 9th at 1pm. Missouri Southern is in 7th place in the MIAA baseball standings. Your Bearcats are in 8th place by 0.5 a game. Expect a thrilling weekend of passion and intense MIAA Conference baseball by two proud squads.

Go Cats!!

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Northwest Missouri State University - Caenepeel named MIAA Pitcher of the Week

Northwest Missouri State University - Caenepeel named MIAA Pitcher of the Week: Northwest Missouri State University senior Anthony Caenepeel has been named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week in a release from the league office on Tuesday.



Go Cats!!

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Hammerin' Hrdlicka & the fighting Bearcats sweep Pitt State

Pittsburgh, Kansas - What a weekend. Your Northwest Missouri State Bearcat baseball team beat Pitt State 11-4 thanks to THE HAMMER JAY HRDLICKA's 3 home runs & 4-4 day at the plate plus terrific pitching to sweep the three game series. Your Bearcats are now 20-10, 9-8 MIAA with the win. Northwest is in 9th place in the MIAA standings by percentage points to 8th place Missouri Southern. Guess who your Bearcat baseball team plays this weekend?

Offensively, Hammerin' Jay Hrdlicka was Northwest's most valuable player in the game. Jay had a career day with 3 home runs on the day. Hrdlicka went 4 for 4 with 6 RBIs, 3 runs scored, and 1 walk as the Bearcat DH.  Garrett Fort went 2 for 5 (including a double) with 1 RBI, 1 stolen base and 1 run scored. Ozzie Adams went 2 for 3 with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 walk and was hit by a pitch. Landon Figg went 2 for 5 (including a double) with 2 runs scored on the day. Luke Hassman went 1 for 5 in the game. James Holler picked-up 2 RBIs from 2 sacrifice at bats. Kolby Greenslade went 1 for 4 (a double) and a run scored on the day. In total, Northwest scored 11 runs off of 12 hits, 10 RBIs, 3 walks, 8 strike-outs, and left 5 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 2 errors that allowed 1 unearned run in the game.

Pitching, Brad Roberts earned the start and picked-up the win to see his 2017 record go to 4-4. After a tough 1st inning, Brad settled down and worked 5 more innings of scoreless baseball. In total, Brad worked 6.0 innings, allowed 8 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 0 walks and 5 strike-outs. In the 7th inning, Austin Battaglia came into the game and worked 2.0 innings, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk and 2 strike-outs. In the 9th inning, Nikko Pablo came into the game to close it out for Northwest. In total, Nikko worked 1.0 inning, allowed no runs, no hits, no walks, and 1 strike-out.

NWMSU article on the game - http://bearcatsports.com/news/2017/4/2/baseball-pitt-sunday.aspx?path=baseball

Next - Your Northwest Bearcat baseball team will travel to Kearney, Nebraska, to take on the UNK Lopers on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at 4pm. Then, Missouri Southern comes into town for an epic weekend match-up between two offensive powerhouses between the Lions and Bearcats. Game 1 with MoSo is Friday, April 7th, at 3pm. Game 2 with MoSo is Saturday, April 8th, at 2pm. Game 3 with MoSo is Sunday, April 9th, at 1pm.

Go Cats!!
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Hietpas throws gem, 'Cats win 7-2, now 8-8 in MIAA

Pittsburgh, KS - Your Northwest Bearcat baseball team defeated Pitt State 7-2 on Saturday, April 1, 2017, in Kansas, to win Game 2 of the series. Northwest is now 19-10, 8-8 MIAA with Saturday's win. Joseph Hietpas was terrific and threw a gem of a game. Jacob Wagner just stomped out whatever rally Pitt State tried to pull in the 8th. Nikko Pablo closed out the game in the 9th. Northwest's offense hummed along and put pressure on Pitt State most innings. The 'Cats stole a few bags and nearly everyone in the line-up earned hits. Northwest's dynamic 1-2 punch of Caenepeel and Hietpas has been a thrilling combination for Bearcat fans this season. Northwest's offense was consistent up and down the line-up. The Bearcat defense has been terrific. As a result, Northwest has the opportunity to go for a road conference series sweep on Sunday, April 2nd, at 1pm.

Offensively, Garrett Fort was Northwest's most valuable player in Game 2. In total, Garrett went 3 for 4 (including a double) with 2 RBIs, 1 run scored, 1 stolen base, and 1 hit by pitch. Luke Hassman went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs in right field. Ozzie Adams went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI, 1 stolen base and 1 run scored at 2nd base. Kevin Handzlik went 2 for 5 (including a double) with 1 run scored as Northwest's DH. Landon Figg earned a hit and scored a run as the Bearcat 3rd baseman. Jay Hrdlicka played catcher and earned a hit, too. Logan Rycraft was the Bearcat short stop and went 1 for 2 with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 walk and 1 hit by pitch. In total, Northwest scored 7 runs off of 13 hits, 6 RBIs, 1 walk, 6 strike-outs, and left 9 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 1 error in the game.

Pitching, Joseph Hietpas earned the start and picked-up his 4th win of the season. Hietpas is now 4-1 in 2017 after another terrific performance. In total, Hietpas worked 7.1 innings, allowed 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 3 strike-outs and 1 wild pitch. In the 8th inning, Hietpas struck out the first Pitt State batter. The 2nd batter singled to first base. The 3rd batter doubled to left field and scored the 2nd batter. With 1 out and a runner on 2nd base in a 5-2 game in the 8th, Coach Loe called for Jacob Wagner and his fire hose arm to extinguish the Pitt State rally. Jacob Wagner did his job, again. The first Pitt State batter Wagner faced grounded out to third base. The second Pitt State batter Wagner faced struck out. In total, Wagner threw 0.2 of an inning, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks and struck-out 1 batter. In the 9th inning, Nikko Pablo came into the game to close it out for Northwest. In total, Nikko worked 1.0 inning, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, hit 1 batter, and struck out 2 Gorillas to end the game.

NWMSU's article on the game - http://www.bearcatsports.com/news/2017/4/1/baseball-pitt-saturday.aspx?path=baseball

Next - Your Bearcat baseball team goes for the road series sweep on Sunday, April 2nd. First Pitch is 1pm. Its going to be a difficult challenge to sweep Pitt State in Game 3. So far this season, Central Missouri and Missouri Western could not do so when they had the chance. Northwest will have to keep the gas pedal down against the scrappy Pitt State team that is finding its way under a new head coach. If the Bearcats execute Coach Loe's game plan with focus and passion they can win this game which will have a dramatic impact on the MIAA standings for post-season play. Game 3 may be the single most important game for Northwest at this point in the season because it could mean being anywhere from 6th place to 11th place. Go get'em boys.

Go Cats!!
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