The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats got back to their winning ways Friday afternoon as they rallied to beat the Missouri Southern Lions 8-6 at Bearcat Field.

With the win, Northwest moves to 6-15 on the season and 5-8 in MIAA play while the Lions recorded their fifth consecutive loss.

Northwest struck first in the second inning when Jake Kretzer singled through the left-side to score Eric McGlauflin to give the Bearcats the 1-0 advantage.

The Bearcats continued the scoring in the third tacking on another run thanks to a Tyler Durant single that plated Cameron Bedard to put Northwest up 2-0.

Missouri Southern would rally in the top of the fourth as they would plate four runs on four hits to take the 4-2 lead.

The Bearcat bats would get hot in the fifth inning as Bedard would lead off the inning with a single up the middle.  Eric Swain would follow suit and add a single of his own to left field.  A Tyler Durant single to left field would plate Bedard.

Kretzer would keep the rally going with a two-run single through the left side.  Singles by Travis Green and Ryan Abernathy would plate two more runs for Northwest giving them the 7-4 advantage.

The Lions scored two runs in the top of the sixth to bring them within one but that would be as close as they would get.

Northwest added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a Steven Garber single giving the Bearcats an 8-6 lead.

Josh Parrish would pitch three scoreless innings of relief for Northwest in the win striking out one while allowing just one hit to record his third save of the season.  Parrish has not allowed a run in his past three outings and has tossed seven consecutive scoreless innings.

Carson Smith recorded his first career win on the mound for Northwest moving his record to 1-2.

Cody Griebling would record the loss for the Lions, his first loss of the season.

Tyler Durant and Jake Kretzer lead the Bearcats offensively with two hits apiece in the win.

“Our offense did a tremendous job of battling back against one of the top pitchers in the MIAA,” Northwest Head Coach Darin Loe said. “Once we were able to get the lead Josh Parrish continued to do a tremendous job by closing out a tight ballgame against a very quality opponent.”

Up Next: The Bearcats and Lions continue their four-game series Saturday afternoon with first pitch of the double-header from Bearcat Field slated for 1p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —