Dave Riggert – Page 1085 – St. Joseph Post Archive

No. 21 Western takes two from Fort Hays State

Posted on March 30, 2012

The 21st ranked Griffons softball team got back on track picking up a doubleheader sweep over the Fort Hays State Tigers in MIAA action. Western won game one 3-1 coming from behind and jumped on the Tigers in game two run ruling Fort Hays State 8-0 in six innings. The Griffons improve to 27-6 overall and 10-2 in the MIAA.

Game 1: MWSU 3, FHSU 1
A three run sixth inning helped the Griffons earn its 26th victory of the season and ninth in the MIAA. Western got a sacrafice fly from Blair Stalder scoring pinch runner Kim Robinson tying the score at one. Keri Lorbert came up next blasting a two run double to right field giving Western the 3-1 come from behind victory.

Jackie Bishop pitched her 15th complete game improving to 14-2 on the season. This is the second consecutive season she started 14-2. She struckout 12 batters in the contest which marks her ninth game with 10 or more strikeouts but first since March 6 against Quincy. She walked four giving up just one hit.

The Tigers scored its lone run in the fourth inning when Callie Wright led off with a triple and then scored on an error by Griffon catcher Kat Steponovich. Bishop stranded Tigers in the inning and four overall.

Maddie Holub picked up the loss going six innings giving up three runs and three hits while striking out five for the Tigers.

Game 2: MWSU 8, FHSU 0 (6 innings)
In game two the Griffons jumped all over Tiger pitcher Abby Morrison opening up the game with four straight hits which included a lead off triple from Breanna Fleschner and a three run homer by Lorbert over the centerfield wall giving Western the 4-0 lead. The homerun was Lorbert’s fourth of the season. Western tacked on one more in the inning taking a 5-0 lead after one.

Annalee Rubio dominated the Tigers the rest of the way giving up just two hits while striking out six in her 10th complete game and fifth shutout of the season. She improves to 11-4 with the victory.

Western was able to end the game early scoring one in the fifth and two in the sixth putting the run rule in effect. Maegan Roemmich hit a single to right center scoring Kendall Sorenson in the fifth and then in the seventh Fleschner doubled scoring Leah Steele and Stalder hit one to shortstop which scored Sarah Elliot ending the game.

The Tigers fall to 20-10 on the season and 7-3 in MIAA play. Morrison falls to 2-3 while Katitly Shattleroe pitched 5.1 innings giving up five hits nad four earned runs in releif.

Fleschner had two of the Griffons nine hits as eight of the Griffons nine batters got a hit.

The Griffons return to action tomorrow taking on the Washburn Lady Blues in an MIAA doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm from the MWSU Softball Field.

— MWSU Sports Information —

NWMSU’s McCollum named DII National Coach of the Year

Posted on March 30, 2012March 30, 2012

Northwest Missouri State head coach Ben McCollum has been named the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Division II National Coach of the Year as announced Friday by CollegeInsider, a national organization that covers all divisions of college basketball.

McCollum was tabbed the winner after completing a near 180-degree turnaround for the Bearcats going from 10th place to first place. He guided the Bearcats to a 22-7 finish and a 15-7 league record that culminated with a MIAA championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament.

His Bearcats led the MIAA in defense and free-throw percentage as three players earned All-MIAA accolades. McCollum also was honored by the league as MIAA Coach of the Year.

The third-year head coach was one of two nominees from the South Central Region and the lone MIAA representative. Midwestern State’s Nelson Haggerty was the other representative from the South Central Region.

McCollum was also nominated for the John McLendon Award, which was won by Savannah State’s Horace Broadnax. The John McLendon Award is given to the top collegiate coach in all divisions and honors the late John McLendon, who was a major contributor to the development of modern basketball, both on the college and professional levels.

McCollum is 44-38 in three seasons as a head coach, all at Northwest. The Storm Lake, Iowa, native got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Northwest under Steve Tappmeyer. After earning his master’s degree from Northwest, McCollum served as an assistant under David Moe at Emporia State before returning to Northwest prior to the 2009-10 season.

At the time of his hiring in 2009 he was the second-youngest active head coach in NCAA Division II. McCollum also played two seasons under Tappmeyer at Northwest, helping the Bearcats reach the program’s first-ever Elite Eight in 2002.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Royals sign Alex Gordon to multi-year contract

Posted on March 30, 2012March 31, 2012

The Kansas City Royals announced Friday the club has reached an agreement on a multi-year contract with outfielder Alex Gordon. The contract includes four guaranteed years through the 2015 season, then a player option for the 2016 campaign. Consistent with club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The 28-year-old Gordon won both the Les Milgram Royals Player of the Year as well as his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2011. He batted .303 (185-for-611) with 45 doubles, four triples, 23 home runs, 87 RBI and 101 runs scored in 151 games for Kansas City. Gordon was one of five players in the Major Leagues to post a greater than .300 average, 45 or more doubles and 20 or more home runs, joining the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera, the Red Sox’ Jacoby Ellsbury and Adrian Gonzalez, and the Yankees’ Robinson Cano. In his first full season as a full-time outfielder, he led the Majors with 20 outfield assists, also setting a single-season franchise record.

The Royals’ first-round selection (second overall) in 2005 out of the University of Nebraska, Gordon and his wife, Jamie, reside in Lincoln, Neb., with their one-year-old son, Max.

— Royals Media Relations —

Missouri’s Haith named AP Coach of the Year

Posted on March 30, 2012March 31, 2012

University of Missouri first-year Head Men’s Basketball Coach Frank Haith added another piece of hardware to the Tiger trophy case today, as he was recognized as the Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year. The award was presented to Haith this morning in New Orleans at an A.P. awards ceremony.

The award marks the second national coaching honor received this week by Haith, who was earlier named the recipient of the 2011-12 Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award, presented annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Haith was presented with the USBWA trophy Friday morning in New Orleans, which was followed by the AP trophy presentation hours later.

Despite having a roster which featured just seven scholarship players, Haith and his staff guided the Tigers to a 30-5 overall record, marking just the second 30-win season in MU history. Mizzou, picked fourth in the Big 12 Conference pre-season coaches’ poll, won a school-record 14 Big 12 games, and finished second in the league standings with a 14-4 conference mark. The Tigers won the school’s second Big 12 Tournament Championship with a 3-0 run in Kansas City, before seeing their season end in the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s hard to express how honored I am by this recognition,” said Haith. “If you had told me a year ago that I would be in this position, I wouldn’t have believed it, but I think this is a great testament to how much a group of people can achieve when they come together and believe in each other and pull in the same direction. Our staff and our kids did just an unbelievable job this season, and as I said before, it might be my name on the award, but it truly belongs to everyone at Mizzou,” he said.

Haith becomes the third Mizzou coach to win national honors, joining former coaches Norm Stewart and Mike Anderson in that group. Stewart twice won national coach of the year honors (1982 [UPI] and 1994 [AP]), while Anderson won the same distinction by the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 2009.

— MU Sports Information —

Missouri Western hires Edmisson as women’s basketball coach

Posted on March 29, 2012March 29, 2012

After a 29 day search process that drew 172 applicants, Griffon Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin announced today that Rob Edmisson has been chosen as the eighth head coach in Griffon Women’s Basketball history. Edmisson comes to MWSU from Oklahoma City University where he has coached since 2005.

“We had an overwhelming amount of interest for our position which included numerous current and former head and assistant coaches from all levels of college basketball,” said Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin. “At the conclusion of the search, there was no doubt in my mind that Coach Edmisson is right the person to lead our women’s basketball program.”

Edmisson brings 16 years of college head coaching experience to MWSU in which he has amassed some remarkable numbers. He holds a career coaching record of 514-150, including a 212-31 record in his stint at OCU. His 2011-2012 team finished the season 35-1 overall and defeated Union College 69-48 in the NAIA National Championship Game last week in Frankfort, Kentucky.

He began his head coaching career at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas in 1993 where he spent nine seasons. His teams went 192-89 overall in qualifying for the region playoffs eight times while producing 25 All-Conference Players.

Following his tenure at Hutch, he spent three years as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State University. His duties included being the junior college recruiting coordinator, scouting coordinator, community engagement coordinator and academic mentor. He helped recruit a top 20 recruiting class to OSU in 2003-2004 according to All-Star Girls Report, a class which included the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

In 2005, Edmisson took his talents to perennial NAIA power Oklahoma City University. In his seven year career, his teams have consistently been ranked in the top five of the national polls, won five Sooner Athletic Conference regular season championships and five post season tournament championships and have qualified for the NAIA National Tournament every year including two Sweet Sixteen appearances, two Elite Eight’s and two Final Four appearances culminating in winning the National Championship this past season. He’s recruited and coached 27 Sooner Athletic Conference All-League Players, three Newcomers of the Year and three conference players of the year. Nine of his players have been named NAIA All-America.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity that President Vartabedian and Kurt McGuffin are giving me in the opportunity to take over the women’s basketball program,” Edmisson said. “It’s a tradition rich program that has recently fallen on hard times and I look forward to getting to campus and getting started and helping to return the program to a level where we are year in and year out competing for MIAA and NCAA Championships.”

As good as Edmisson’s teams have been on the floor, they’ve been equally as good in the classroom. At Hutchinson Community College all nine of his teams produced a team GPA of 3.00 or higher which included 14 of his players being named Academic All-America. At OCU, he’s graduated 90% of his players who have exhausted their eligibility and all seven of his teams have achieved a team GPA of 3.00 or higher including four Academic All-America selections.

“His track record of winning and building quality student-athletes both on the court and in the classroom speaks for itself and we look forward to him bringing those abilities to Missouri Western,” McGuffin said. “To be able to attract a coach with his credentials speaks very highly of our University and the resources we have to be successful.” “With Coach Edmisson now on board, we look forward to a very bright future.”

Edmisson and wife Gina have two children, Corbin and Cierra.

A press conference to formally introduce Coach Edmisson will be held Friday, March 30 at 11 AM in the KCP&L Theater in the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex. Listen live to the press conference on ESPN 1550 AM.

A reception to meet Coach Edmisson will be held at Boudreaux’s from 4:30 – 6:00 PM. The public is invited to attend both events.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Royals makes several roster moves Thursday

Posted on March 29, 2012March 29, 2012

The Kansas City Royals made six roster moves following Thursday afternoon’s game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Following the moves, the Royals now have 31 players in Major League camp, which includes right-handed pitchers Felipe Paulino (injured), Joakim Soria (injured) and Blake Wood (injured), and catchers Salvador Perez and Manuel Pina (60-day D.L.).

Four players were returned to minor league camp: left-handed pitchers Francisley Bueno and Tommy Hottovy, catcher Max Ramirez and infielders Kevin Kouzmanoff.

In addition, right-handed pitchers Louis Coleman and Jeremy Jeffress were optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

— Royals Media Relations —

Western softball falls to No. 21 in NFCA Top 25 poll

Posted on March 28, 2012March 28, 2012

The Missouri Western softball team fell to 21st in the latest NFCA Division II Top-25 poll after falling twice at Emporia State last Sunday. The Griffons were ranked 9th in last weeks poll. Western is 25-6 overall and 8-2 in MIAA play.

This week the Griffons will look to get back on track with two home MIAA doubleheaders. The Griffons take on the Fort Hays State Tigers (20-8, 7-1 MIAA) on Friday, March 30 at 1:00 pm and wrap-up the week against the Washburn Lady Blues (11-13, 5-3 MIAA) on Saturday, March 31 at 12:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Bearcat softball snaps nine-game skid in game two against Rockhurst

Posted on March 28, 2012March 28, 2012

It took the second game of a double header, but the Northwest Missouri State softball team snapped a nine-game skid splitting a double header Wednesday afternoon with Rockhurst, dropping game one 9-2 before pitching a shutout in game two 6-0.

Northwest saw its record move to 12-18 on the year as a number of players returned to the normal lineup after sitting out last weekend. The Bearcats will hit the road for their final four road games of the regular season traveling to nationally ranked Central Oklahoma on Saturday and Northeastern State on Sunday.

Both teams were held scoreless in game one through five innings, before they both got on the board in the sixth inning.

Rockhurst picked up two runs in the top half before Northwest got a lead-off home run from Hailee Hendricks. After back-to-back singles Kristine Labertew picked up a two-out RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.

After a solid outing through six inning Northwest starter Morgan Brunmeier ran into trouble in the seventh. Brunmeier recorded two outs in the seventh as the trouble struck with the Hawks batting around and a three-run homer from Natalie Johnson.

The Bearcats failed to rally in the bottom of the seventh as they dropped their ninth straight.

However, game two would be all Bearcats, highlighted by a no doubt home run off the bat of Kayli Schurman in the third inning. The three-run bomb gave Northwest a 5-0 lead as Bearcat starter Paige Blythe held Rockhurst scoreless.

Schurman blasted a two-run homer in the first inning giving Northwest an early 2-0 lead. Schurman finished 2-for-3 adding five RBIs in the win.

Blythe was impressive going seven strong innings and only allowing three hits. She walked none and struck out four.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

MWSU tennis gets swept at Emporia State

Posted on March 28, 2012March 28, 2012

The Missouri Western tennis team played its first road match of the season this afternoon falling against MIAA opponent Emporia State by a score of 9-0. This marked the first match for Western since March 7th when they fell against the Washburn Lady Blues in St. Joseph, Mo. Western falls to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in MIAA play.

The Griffons struggled all day against the Lady Hornets winning just four sets in doubles play. In singles No. 3 player Kayla Dysart played well but fell to Tiffany Khounsombath after winning the first set 6-4. Dysart lost set two 6-3 and the tie breaker 10-8.

Erin Ward fell in No. 4 singles 6-2 and 6-1 against Alex Crowe while Alecia Jenkins fell 6-2, 6-2 against Jennifer Gerhardt in No. 5 singles.

Western continues road action on Friday, March 30th when they take on Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. at 3:00 pm.

Emporia State 9, Missouri Western 0
Mar 28, 2012 at Emporia, Kan. (Milton Courts)

Singles competition
1. Jara,Nicole (ESU) def. Kerr,Nicole (MWSU) 6-0, 6-0
2. Smith,Taylor (ESU) def. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 6-0, 6-0
3. Khounsombath,Tiffany (ESU) def. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 4-6, 6-3, 10-8
4. Crowe,Alex (ESU) def. Ward,Erin (MWSU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Gerhardt,Jennifer (ESU) def. Jenkins,Alecia (MWSU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Schmidt,Somer (ESU) def. Field,Katie (MWSU) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Jara,Nicole/Smith,Taylor (ESU) def. Boldridge,Ceara/Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 8-1
2. Gerhardt,Jennifer/Crowe,Alex (ESU) def. Kerr,Nicole/Field,Katie (MWSU) 8-2
3. Khounsombath,Tiffany/Schmidt,Somer (ESU) def. Ward,Erin/Jenkins,Alecia (MWSU) 8-1

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State tennis rolls past Lincoln, 9-0

Posted on March 28, 2012March 28, 2012

The Northwest Missouri State women’s tennis squad snapped a two-game skid as the swept by Lincoln 9-0 on Wednesday in MIAA action at the Jefferson City Country Club.

The Bearcats improved to 5-6 on the season as they also helped head coach Mark Rosewell inch closer to win number 900. Rosewell now sits at 896 as the Bearcat women travel to Tulsa, Okla., for a trio of regional matches with Dallas Baptist, Newman and Arkansas-Fort Smith.

Northwest breezed through doubles action as the duo of Camila Quesada and Alexis Bartek won 8-0.

The Bearcats finished the doubles sweep at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions winning 8-1 in both matches.

Quesada and Erica Leston took their No. 1 and No. 2 singles matches 6-0, 6-1 pacing the Bearcats in the sweep. The final four positions at No. 3, 4, 5, and 6 singles all won their matches 6-0, 6-0.

The Bearcats continue MIAA action on Sunday as they host Truman State on Sunday in Maryville. Sunday’s match with the Bulldogs is also senior day as two seniors will honor a senior from each the men’s and women’s squad.

— NWMSU Sports Information —