MARYVILLE, Missouri – The Lindenwood Lions earned a series victory over the Northwest Missouri State University baseball team as the Lions posted an 8-3 win at the Bearcat Baseball Field on Sunday.
Lindenwood’s Blake Beckmann and Tyler Cassmeyer limited Northwest to three runs. Bearcat senior Jay Hrdlicka managed two of Northwest’s six hits.
In the top of the first inning, Lindenwood didn’t waste any time and put three runs on the scoreboard.
In the bottom of the second, the Bearcat offense successfully drove in a run, initiated by sophomore infielder Peter Carlson’s lead-off double to right center. Carlson advanced to third on a ground out by senior catcher Alixon Herrera and eventually brought in by senior catcher Jay Hrdlicka, decreasing the Lion lead to 3-1.
After a quiet third and fourth innings by both squads, Lindenwood led off the top of the fifth inning by tacking on three more runs and increasing its lead to 6-1 over Northwest.
The Northwest offense plated a single run in the fifth. Senior outfielder Derek Hussey led off the inning by being hit by a pitch and giving the Bearcats some life on the base path. Hussey advanced to second on a ground out by senior infielder Logan Rycraft and was driven in on a two-out double slapped down the left field line by junior first baseman Connor Quick.
Following the famous seventh inning stretch, Northwest notched another run in the bottom of the inning to claw back at the Lindenwood lead, 6-3. With one out, Hussey smacked a well-hit ball to the shortstop, beating out the throw to first base and notching a single. Rycraft stepped into the box next and was hit by a pitch, giving the Bearcats runners on first and second. During Rudolph’s at bat, Rycraft and Hussey advance to second and third on a wild pitch with Rudolph eventually walking to load the bases. In the next at bat, Quick lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Hussey. Northwest stranded two baserunners in the inning.
Lindenwood added single runs in the eighth and ninth to give it an 8-3 lead over Northwest, ultimately being the final score of the ball game.
On the mound, junior Joe Funkhouser got the start for the Bearcats, dealing four and 1/3 innings. Funkhouser allowed six runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out five.
Northwest falls to 20-25, 15-15 MIAA, while Lindenwood improves to 25-21, 17-13 MIAA.
The Bearcats will be back in action for their last regular season series May 3-5 as they prepare to take on Emporia State in Emporia, Kansas.
NOTES: Northwest honored nine seniors prior to the game … the Bearcat senior class has contributed 105 victories over the past four seasons.
— Northwest Athletics —