TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma – The Northwest Missouri State University baseball squad captured the rubber game today in a three-game set at Northeastern State. The Bearcats recorded a 19-15 triumph over the Riverhawks.
Northwest moved to 6-7 overall and 2-1 in MIAA play, while Northeastern State fell to 2-11 overall and 1-2 in league play.
Northeastern State jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second by executing small ball to get runners around the bases.
In the third, Northwest notched two runs of their own despite beginning the inning with a pair of outs. Senior infielder Mondesi Gutierrez walked to get the ball rolling for the Bearcats. Gutierrez was then advanced to third after senior outfielder Derek Hussey reached base on a throwing error. Senior catcher Jay Hrdlicka drew a walk to load the bases. The first hit of the afternoon for the Bearcats came when senior catcher Alixon Herrera singled to left, scoring Gutierrez and Hussey.
The Riverhawks added one in the bottom half of the third, increasing their lead to 6-2.
The Bearcat offense exploded with a seven-run fourth to take a 9-6 advantage. During the top of the fourth, the Bearcats offense rallied and tallied seven runs in the inning to take back the lead over Northeastern State, 9-6. To lead off the fourth, junior infielder Calvin Rudolph and sophomore infielder Matt Gastner each singled. Freshman outfielder Ryan Koski advanced them with a sacrifice bunt. The Bearcats loaded the bases when senior infielder Logan Rycraft was hit by a pitch. Gutierrez followed with a single to left scoring Rudolph and leaving the bases loaded. A wild pitch allowed Gastner to score and advanced Gutierrez and Rycraft. Hrdlicka recorded his first hit in the game during the inning by singling to right, scoring both Gutierrez and Rycraft. Hrdlicka advanced to third base when Herrera reached on a throwing error. Sophomore infielder Peter Carlson singled advancing Herrera to second and allowing Hrdlicka to trot across home. Rudolph produced a two-out, two RBI double to deep right center to cap the monstrous seven-run inning.
The Riverhawks drew to within 9-8 with a two-run sixth.
In the eighth, both teams combined to score 10 runs on nine hits. Northwest scored four in the top of the eighth with a two-out rally, initiated by Herrera singling to right field. Freshman Jonathan Hernandez pinch ran for Herrera. Hernandez advanced to second on a single by Carlson. Up next, Rudolph singled to left to load the bases for the Bearcats. Gastner singled to right, scoring Hernandez and Carlson, while moving Rudolph to third. Junior infielder Matt Schingel clubbed a double, scoring Rudolph and Gastner, but was called out when trying to stretch it into a triple.
Heading into the bottom of the eighth, Northwest held a 13-8 lead with closer Trevor Dudar on the hill. But, Northeastern State answered with six runs on four hits and took advantage of a Bearcat error to retake the lead at 14-13.
The Bearcats returned the favor, scoring six runs of their own in the top of the ninth to take a decisive 19-13 lead over the Riverhawks. Northwest tallied the six runs on four hits in the comeback.
The Riverhawks managed only one run in the bottom of the ninth allowing the Bearcats to take it 19-15 and two of three games in the series.
The Bearcats used five pitchers on Saturday. Max Spitzmiller made the start and pitched 1 1/3 innings. Spitzmiller gave up three hits and three runs, while striking out one. Dudar got the victory as he went 3 2/3 innings despite giving up six hits, nine runs (seven earned) and striking out six, while walking seven. Gibson Brown relieved Dudar with two on and no one out in the ninth. Brown gave up a single and a sacrifice fly but was able to close out the victory for the Bearcats.
Northwest will travel to back to Oklahoma for a three-game set at Central Oklahoma this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The series was originally set for Maryville, but was moved to Edmond, Oklahoma because of inclement weather and field conditions.
NOTES: Herrera is riding a 10-game hitting streak … Gutierrez and Hrdlicka extended their on-base streaks to 13 games … first baseman Matt Gastner knocked in four runs and notched his first three-hit game of the season … third baseman Calvin Rudolph and left fielder Peter Carlson also produced their first three-hit games of the season.
— Northwest Athletics —