The Northwest Missouri State baseball team clinched a share of the MIAA regular season title with a 9-8 win at Central Oklahoma on Saturday.
The Bearcats improve to 30-19 overall and 25-10 in MIAA play. The Bronchos fall to 32-17 and 24-11 in conference action.
Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored once in the second, six runs in the fourth, one in the sixth and one in the eighth inning. The Bronchos scored six in the first, one in the second and one in the ninth inning.
– The Bearcats had nine runs on ten hits with one error. Central Oklahoma had eight runs on 16 hits with no errors.
– Kevin Handzlik finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, one RBI and a homerun.
– Derek Hussey also went 2-for-3 he scored three runs and had one RBI.
– Logan Rycraft was 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and a double.
– Hudson Bilodeau finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs, a double, a triple and a run scored.
– Mondesi Gutierrez was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a double.
– Luke Hassman went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
– Aaron Barratt finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs, a double and a run scored.
– Brad Roberts picked up his seventh winning after throwing 6.1 innings and striking out seven batters.
– Trevor Dudar picked up his 14th save of the year after throwing one inning and allowed one hit.
Key Northwest Innings
– To lead off the top of the second inning Handzlik hit a solo homerun over the left field fence to put the Bearcats on the board.
– After an out, Hassman walked and Handzlik singled up the middle, they both would then come around to score on a double by Barratt to left center. With two outs, Hussey singled through the left side to score Barratt and Hussey quickly stole second. Rycraft walked and stole second and both runners would come in to score on a triple to center field by Bilodeau. Gutierrez kept the inning going with a double down the right field line to score Bilodeau and give the Cats the lead.
– In the top of the sixth inning, Hussey singled to first base and advanced to single on a balk. Hussey would then come around to score on a double to right center by Rycraft to increase the lead.
– After an out, Hussey walked and promptly stole second. Rycraft reached base on a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Gutierrez hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Hussey and put the Bearcats up 9-7.
Up Next
– Northwest will conclude the series with Central Oklahoma, Friday May 6, at 1 p.m. in Edmond, Ok.
— Northwest Athletics —