MARYVILLE, Missouri – Max Spitzmiller was dealing on the mound for the Northwest Missouri State baseball team as he dialed up 7 1/3 innings of scoreless ball en route to a 9-2 victory for the Bearcats over the visiting Fort Hays State Tigers.
Northwest’s offense heated up, scoring two runs in the home half of the third inning. Sophomore infielder Peter Carlson singled to left field and was advanced to third base on the next at bat after junior infielder Calvin Rudolph reached on an error. Junior first baseman Connor Quick recorded his first RBI of the game, scoring Carlson and giving the Bearcats runners on first and second. A fielder’s choice advanced Rudolph to third base and he scored when sophomore infielder Matt Gastner slapped a single up the middle.
The Bearcats got on the board again in the fifth inning, scoring an additional seven runs to bring their lead to 9-0 over the Tigers. Successful small-ball advanced Northwest baserunners around the diamond, including doubles hit by senior catcher Alixon Herrera and senior infielder Logan Rycraft. Northwest scored seven runs on eight hits and left two on base.
The sophomore Spitzmiller got the start on the bump for Northwest. Spitzmiller tossed seven and 1/3 innings shutout innings for the Bearcats, giving up five hits and striking out four Fort Hays State batters.
Senior righty Jarrett Cronin relieved Spitzmiller of his duties on the mound, pitching the final one and 2/3 innings. Cronin gave up two runs (two earned) on one hit and struck out two. The Tigers tacked on two runs in the top of the ninth coming off of a two-run shot to left field by junior catcher Jared Maneth.
Northwest will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 6 for game two of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Bearcat Baseball Field.
NOTES: Northwest has won a season-best four games in a row … Northwest is 15-15 on the season and 11-8 in MIAA play … Rudolph extended his hitting streak ot 10 games … Quick (14) and Rudolph (11) extend their on-base streaks.
— Northwest Athletics —