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Author: Dave Riggert

Gordon, Soler lift Royals over Red Sox 7-6 in 13 innings

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BOSTON (AP) — Alex Gordon hit a tying home run off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning, Jorge Soler hit a three-run homer against Brian Johnson in the 13th and the Kansas City Royals rallied for a 7-6 win over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

Boston led 3-2 before Gordon’s one-out drive off Kimbrel, who was trying for his 299th save but instead blew an opportunity for the first time in eight tries this season.

Jon Jay had four singles and a sacrifice fly in the 12th that put Kansas City up 4-3. But Eduardo Nunez homered against Kelvin Herrera (1-0) in the bottom half.

Gordon and Whit Merrifield singled off Johnson (1-1) ahead of Soler’s homer over the Green Monster.

Mitch Moreland singled leading off the bottom half against Burch Smith, who hit Xander Bogaerts with a pitch. Rafael Devers hit into a forceout, Brian Flynn relieved and Jackie Bradley Jr. had a run-scoring groundout. Christian Vazquez singled in a run, but Flynn got the first save of his five-year big league career when Nunez flied out to the center-field wall.

Chris Sale struck out six while allowing two runs — one earned — and five hits in seven innings. He was in position to win consecutive starts for the first time this season.

Jakob Junis pitched five scoreless innings for Kansas City before Boston tied the score in the sixth on Moreland’s homer and Bradley’s RBI single.

Brad Keller threw a run-scoring wild pitch in the seventh.

Alcides Escobar hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth, and the Royals took a 2-0 lead in the sixth when Lucas Duda got caught in a rundown while trying to steal second and Jay, who began the play on second, was able to come home.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: DH Mike Moustakas was out of the starting lineup after getting hit by a pitch on his right forearm in the first inning Monday. He came off the bench in the 10th and grounded out while pinch hitting for Cheslor Cuthbert.

Red Sox: RF Mookie Betts (tight right hamstring) was out of the lineup a third straight game because of a tight right hamstring that forced him out Saturday. Betts took over in right field in the ninth.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (0-3, 5.40 ERA) makes his team-high seventh start, still searching for his first win. Duffy is 0-4 in six starts against Boston, the only AL team he has yet to beat.

Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 7.27) gets his third start of the season after missing the first 18 games with a forearm injury.

— Associated Press —

Missouri baseball wins wild game at Iowa in 11 innings

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IOWA CITY, Iowa – Mizzou Baseball scored 11 runs from the eighth through 11th innings to complete a 17-16 comeback win over Iowa Tuesday afternoon at Duane Banks Field. Mizzou trailed 8-0 after three, 13-6 after six and 14-13 after eight innings and completed the comeback by scoring two runs in the top of the 11th inning. Sophomore SS Chris Cornelius drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the 11th inning as part of a career-best six RBI in the game. Junior OF Zach Hanna drove home the game-winning run with a single in the next at-bat.

Mizzou had six different hitters tally multiple-hit performances as the Tigers slugged a season-high 24 hits, its most since posting 26 against Texas on April 11, 2008. To put the crazy game into perspective, Mizzou junior Brian Sharp entered the game as a pitcher in the fourth inning and finished 4-for-4 with four runs, including the go-ahead run in the 11th inning, and two RBI. Senior RHPAndy Toelken entered the game as a pitcher and had a hit as well. Mizzou left 17 men on base and scored 17 runs.

RS junior RHP Bryce Montes De Oca earned his fifth win of the year after throwing a shutout 10th inning and Luke Anderson earned his first career save.

TURNING POINT

There were about 15 turning points in Tuesday’s game, but none bigger than the 11th inning. Junior Brian Sharp led off the frame with a single and Paul Gomez followed that with a single up the middle. That set the stage for Cornelius, who roped a single through the left side and Sharp slid in just ahead of the tag for the 16th run. Hanna singled one batter later to extended the lead to 17-15, which was huge because Iowa hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 11th inning.

QUOTING MIZZOU

Head Coach Steve Bieser

“The guys laid it all on the line today. You talk about some resiliency and just battling all the way through and never gave in. There were lots of ups and downs, but they just kept trusting one another.”

TOP TIGERS

  • Senior 1B Brett Bond tallied five hits, including an RBI double in the sixth inning. It was his first game with three or more hits game since March 23 against Mississippi State. It was his first four-hit game since May 2, 2017, vs. Murray State and he matched his career-high with five. His double was his first since April 14 at Florida. He reached base in five plate appearances Tuesday.
  • Junior 1B/OF Tony Ortiz has a successful pinch hit in each of the last two games after posting an RBI double in the fifth inning. The RBIs for Ortiz were his first since tallying three against LaSalle on March 10.
  • Junior RHP/DH/2B/1B Brian Sharp extended his hitting streak to six games with an RBI single in the fifth inning.  He entered the game as a pitcher in the fourth inning and wound up with four hits, four runs and two RBIs.
  • Freshman C Chad McDaniel extended his hitting streak to seven games with an eighth-inning single.
  • Junior OF Zach Hanna hit his fifth homer of the year, a game-tying two-run blast to cap the seven-run eighth inning. It was Mizzou’s first pinch-hit homer since Ortiz hit one against Northeastern on Feb. 23, 2018, vs. Northeastern. He had an RBI single in the 11th inning that drove in the game-winning run.
  • Junior OF Connor Brumfield hit a go-ahead ninth-inning double to highlight his fifth multi-hit game of the season.
  • Sophomore SS Chris Cornelius drove in a career-high six runs, including a bases-loaded double in the eighth inning and the game-winning RBI with a single through the left side in the 11thinning.

NOTES

  • Mizzou now leads the all-time series with Iowa, 28-13. It was the first meeting between the two teams since 1997.
  • Mizzou is still undefeated in midweek games this season and is 6-0 on Tuesdays.
  • Mizzou is now 4-3 on the year when facing left-handed starting pitcher.
  • Mizzou moves to 9-9 on the year in road games.
  • Mizzou tallied 24 hits Tuesday, a season-high, surpassing the 21 it his in game two of the season at FIU. It’s the most hits for Mizzou since 2008/
  • Mizzou played its 26th errorless game of the season Tuesday.
  • Mizzou has scored 10+ runs in three straight games for the first time since 2007.

UP NEXT

Mizzou hosts Georgia No. 20 Georgia Thursday-Saturday at Taylor Stadium.

— MWSU Athletics —

Cardinals rally in 9th, top White Sox 3-2 on Molina’s single

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter homered to start a ninth-inning rally and Yadier Molina ended it with a single to drive in the winning run, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.

St. Louis snapped a three-game losing streak.

Carpenter tied it at 2 with a leadoff homer off White Sox closer Joakim Soria (0-1). It was Carpenter’s 100th career home run and his first since April 10.

With one out, Marcell Ozuna doubled off the right-field wall. Molina then singled to left field to score Ozuna.

Bud Norris (1-0) picked up his first win of the season with a perfect ninth.

The White Sox wasted a good start by James Shields, who pitched six strong innings after giving up a leadoff home run.

Tommy Pham hit a 3-2 fastball off him for a 454-foot home run into the left-field seats. It was his first leadoff homer in his career and the second this season for St. Louis.

Shields retired the next 15 batters before giving up a single to Kolten Wong in the sixth. He allowed just two hits. Shields, who has not won since opening day, struck out four and did not walk a batter.

The White Sox scored twice in the fourth to take the lead. Trayce Thompson and Adam Engel drew one-out walks. After Shields struck out, Yoan Moncada doubled home both runners. His sinking fly ball got past Ozuna, who was trying for shoestring catch.

Michael Wacha pitched five innings in his second career appearance against the White Sox. He walked three and allowed hits.

The Cardinals ran themselves out of a scoring chance in the seventh.

Against reliever Bruce Rondon, St. Louis had a runner at third with one out. Ozuna hit a hard to grounder to Jose Abreu, who threw home to nail Carpenter trying to score.

ROSTER MOVE

The St. Louis sent right-hander reliever Mike Mayers to Triple-A Memphis and called up first baseman Luke Voit, a St. Louis native. The 27-year-old began this season on the disabled list with an oblique strain. He was batting .205 in 12 games at Memphis following his return. As a rookie in 2017, Voit batted .246 with four home runs and 18 RBI. Mayers is 0-0 with a 1.35 ERA and one save in four relief appearances covering 6 2/3 innings this season.

MILESTONES

Tuesday’s game was manager Mike Matheny’s 1,000th with the Cardinals. He is just the fourth manager to pilot the club in 1,000 or more regular-season games. Matheny succeeded Hall of Famer Tony LaRussa as skipper in 2012. In his first four seasons, the Cardinals reached postseason play. St. Louis reached the World Series in 2013. … Catcher Yadier Molina tied Hall of Famer Johnny Bench at 1,742 games for 16th in career games caught.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: RHP Danny Farquhar continues to show progress after his April 21 surgery for a brain aneurysm. He has taken a few short walks with his wife, Lexie. He is listed in neurologically stable condition ICU for next few weeks.

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (elbow inflammation) played catch before the game. “If all goes well and he feels good, he is scheduled to throw a bullpen tomorrow,” said John Mozeliak, the team president. “We just have to be smart about this.”

UP NEXT

White Sox: Lucas Giolito (1-3, 7.71 ERA) will be making his first career appearance against St. Louis. He snapped a three-game losing streak in his last start against Kansas City.

Cardinals: Carlos Martinez (2-1, 1.43 ERA) will be facing the White Sox for the first time. He has had consecutive no-decisions in his last two starts. The Cardinals have won each of his last five starts since opening day.

— Associated Press —

Mizzou basketball adds Evansville transfer Dru Smith

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball has signed transfer guard Dru Smith to its 2018 recruiting class, head coach Cuonzo Martin announced Tuesday. Smith transfers from the University of Evansville, where he was one of the most efficient shooters in the nation as a sophomore and earned Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman honors in 2017.

Smith started all 22 games he appeared in last season, reaching double figures 17 times and scoring at least 20 points in a game on four occasions. The Evansville, Indiana, native will sit out the 2018-19 campaign due to NCAA transfer rules and have two years of eligibility remaining.

“We are excited to welcome Dru into the Mizzou Basketball Family,” Martin said. “Dru is an experienced player who understands the kind of work ethic it takes to succeed at this level. He is a proven shooter and talented passer who can impact the game in so many ways. Dru will be an outstanding teammate and we’re thrilled to have him join the program.”

Smith averaged 13.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals as a sophomore at Evansville. The sharpshooter led the Missouri Valley Conference in three-point shooting, making 48.2 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Smith ranked third in the MVC in both field goal percentage and free throw percentage, shooting 57.8 percent from the floor and 86.2 percent from the free throw line.

Smith saw action in 28 games as a freshman, chipping in 5.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest. The 6-foot-3 guard played at Reitz High School, where he steered his squad to a 22-5 record while pouring in 20.8 points per game and grabbing 6.5 rebounds per outing as a senior.

“I really connected with Coach Martin and the staff and I already feel like a part of the family,” Smith said. “Mizzou Arena and all the facilities are incredible and I’m just ready to get there and go to work.”

As a junior in high school, Smith captained Reitz to a 29-2 record and a runner-up finish in the Indiana Class 4A State Tournament while posting 10.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per contest. He is the sixth member in a talented group of Mizzou newcomers heading in to the 2018-19 season, alongside signees Mark Smith, K.J. Santos, Javon Pickett, Xavier Pinson and Torrence Watson.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Northwest’s Gutierrez named MIAA Hitter of the Week

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University junior Mondesi Gutierrez was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week for his performance during the Bearcats’ sweep of Southwest Baptist this weekend. Gutierrez went .588 with ten total hits, ten runs scored, three doubles, one triple, nine RBIs, and he hit three home runs.

On Friday, he went 4-for-5 while scoring three runs, he hit four runs in and hit two homeruns. On Saturday he finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a double and a triple.

Northwest heads to Central Oklahoma this Friday to begin a three-game MIAA series with the Bronchos. Friday’s game will begin at 3 p.m. in Edmond, Ok.

— Northwest Athletics —

Owens, Blessie take home Missouri Western’s Student-Athlete of the Year Awards

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ST. JOSEPH – The accomplishments of Missouri Western teams, student-athletes and coaches were honored Monday night at the 19th Annual St. Joseph News-Press Golden Griffon Awards.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the event was held at the historic Missouri Theater in downtown St. Joseph. The big honors of the night went to the 2017-18 male and female Student-Athletes of the Year. Griffon Football’s Jonathan Owens was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year while Griffon Soccer’s Bridget Blessie was named Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Another highlight of the night came when director of athletics Josh Looney surprised members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee panel with the announcement of a matching donation, allowing SAAC to grant a wish for a child during the 2018-19 academic year as part of the organization’s Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraising efforts.

Award Winners and Nominees
Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Jonathan Owens (Football)
Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Bridget Blessie (Soccer)
Dr. James J. McMillen Award: Kayla Ruff (Volleyball)
Baseball Nominee: Kellan Richards
Men’s Basketball Nominee: Cole Clearman
Women’s Basketball Nominee: Melia Richardson
Cheer Squad Nominee: Kaley Dittemore
Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field Nominee: Phil Thompson
Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field Nominee: Kaitlyn Shoemaker
Football Nominee: Jonathan Owens
Men’s Golf Nominee: Patrick McCarthy
Women’s Golf Nominee: Tiffanie Yabut
Soccer Nominee: Bridget Blessie
Softball Nominee: Shelbie Atwell
Tennis Nominee: Karolina Ström
Volleyball Nominee: Kayla Ruff

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Choice Awards
SAAC Volunteer of the Year: Audrey Keim (Volleyball/Tennis)
Coach of the Year: Chad Edwards (Soccer)
Team of the Year: Volleyball
Best Actor in a GSI Feature: Marian Carbin for “The Prank”
Griff Up Award: Paige Phipps (Soccer/Women’s Basketball)
Most Intriguing Moment: Football ringing the bell for the first time

— MWSU Athletics —

Kansas City drops series opener at Boston 10-6

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BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox slammed their way through their most wins in April ever.

Xander Bogaerts hit a grand slam over the Green Monster and Boston finished April by beating the Kansas City Royals 10-6 on Monday night.

Mitch Moreland hit a solo homer and had three hits along with Bogaerts for the Red Sox, who posted their 19th victory in April. They had reached 18 three times, the last coming in their World Series-winning 2013 season.

It was Boston’s sixth slam of the season — all coming in April — and tied them with 1996 Montreal Expos for most ever in the majors by May 1. The Red Sox didn’t even hit one last season.

“I didn’t hit a grand slam in my career, it’s not because of me,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, breaking into a smile.

Bogaerts had a simple answer.

“Especially with the bases loaded, we’re getting some good swings,” he said. “I think we’ve been really selective and looking for some good pitches to hit.”

Despite playing, at times, in lousy conditions at home — like Monday night when it was chilly night with temperatures in the mid-40s and a light rain falling most of the game — the Red Sox offense continues to hit homers unlike the team that was last in the AL in 2017.

“It’s not the best weather to play in,” Bogaerts said. “But, it’s playable.”

Whit Merrifield had three hits and two RBI for the Royals, who were coming off their first consecutive wins this season.

Hector Velazquez (4-0), the first of three relievers, worked two scoreless innings of relief for the victory.

Trailing 3-0, Boston scored a run in the second on Moreland’s homer and five off Jason Hammel (0-3) in a third inning highlighted by Bogaerts’ slam that completely left Fenway Park. Moreland drew a bases-loaded walk for the other run.

“I thought that Jason’s first couple of innings were good and then he really started to fight it himself a little bit in the third,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “The grand slam was a pitch that was up and in, which I don’t think he was trying to go there.”

Boston fell in the 3-0 hole in the first when starter Eduardo Rodriguez gave up three runs on three walks, two singles and a hit batsman.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: SS Alcides Escobar was back in the lineup after leaving Sunday’s game with a bruised left hand from being hit by a pitch. … DH Mike Moustakas was hit by a pitch and came out with a bruised left forearm.

Red Sox: Cora decided to give OF Mookie Betts a second straight day off because of a tight right hamstring that forced him out Saturday. “I feel like not starting today is going to benefit him, but if we need it late in the game, we’ll use him,” Cora said.

PRESS BOX CONFUSION

The Royals made a late lineup change, which caused confusion in the press box when everyone thought the club had moved its DH to third base after Moustakas had to leave in the first.

It would have forced pitcher Hammel to hit.

The problem was: The Royals had given a new lineup to the umpires from the one posted in the press box and on Fenway’s scoreboards that had Moustakas at third base and Cheslor Cuthbert as the DH.

Cuthbert came in at third base at the bottom of the first.

GONE EARLY

Both starting pitchers were out by the fifth inning.

Rodriguez gave up five runs, walked three, hit two batters and struck out six in four.

Hammel was tagged for eight runs on eight hits in 4 2/3.

SPECIAL GUESTS

The Royals’ traveling party had 28 extra guests because they were invited to bring their dads or brothers on the trip.

“I really, really enjoy it — a chance to come to Fenway. They went on a tour here, a private tour. I think they all enjoyed that,” Yost said. “It’s just a phenomenal trip together being able to share three days like this.”

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis (3-2, 3.34 ERA) hopes to rebound Tuesday from a miserable previous start when gave up a club-record tying five homers against the White Sox.

Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale (2-1, 2.31) looks to continue his strong run, having allowed three or fewer runs — one or less four times — in his initial six starts.

— Associated Press —

Griffon women’s golf earns bid to NCAA Tournament

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ST. JOSEPH – For the first time in Missouri Western history, both the men’s and women’s golf teams will compete in NCAA Division II Regionals. The women’s team was the latest to receive the news it is in the field of 12 teams at the Central Regional to be played at Missouri Bluffs Golf Club in St. Charles, Missouri, May 7-9.

It was the third-straight regional bid for the women’s squad that is led by MIAA Golfer of the Year Shi Qing Ong. Missouri Western was one of six MIAA members selected for the women’s regional, joining Northeastern State, Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Central Missouri and Nebraska Kearney. Fort Hays State’s Hannah Perkins qualified for the regional as an individual.

The Griffons turned in six top-five finishes as a team this season, including a tie for first at the Northeastern State Women’s Golf Classic in September.

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons complete three-game sweep of Fort Hays State

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HAYS, Kan – The Missouri Western baseball team (26-21, 18-15) swept Fort Hays State (13-34, 5-28) with a 13-5 win on Sunday afternoon.

Missouri Western wasted little time in getting the brooms out for the sweep as it scored six runs in the first inning. MWSU added three runs in the third inning with an RBI single from Fahd Shakeel and a two-run home run from Brooks Day. The Griffons added a run in the eighth inning and finished with three runs in the ninth. 

Ryan Smith pitched three innings and struck out four of the nine batters he faced to earn his first save of the season. Smith played the game’s first six innings in left field before his relief appearance. He also recorded a hit and scored a run for MWSU.

NOTABLES

  • Nine different Griffons recorded a hit in the game
  • MWSUs outhit FHSU 15-6
  • Casey Danley and Brooks Day combined to go 5-for-9 with six runs scored and three RBIs
  • Levi Schreiner was 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and run scored
  • Bailey Zimmer and Dusty Stroup combined for five RBIs

UP NEXT
Missouri Western hosts Nebraska Kearney, for the last regular season series of the season, on Friday, May 4. Game one of the series is set for 7 p.m. at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Athletics —

Bearcats shutout Southwest Baptist in series finale

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The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team picked up a 4-0 victory on Sunday over Southwest Baptist at Bearcat Field in Maryville, Mo.

The Bearcats move to 29-18 overall and 24-9 in MIAA play while SBU falls to 16-31 overall and 10-23 in conference.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored one run in the first, third, fourth and eighth innings.
– The Bearcats had four runs on ten hits with one error. SBU had no runs on six hits with two errors.
– Landon Figg was perfect on the day going 4-for-4 with an RBI and three doubles.
– Hudson Bilodeau went 1-for-4 with a run scored, a double and he continued his hitting streak to 23 games.
– Luke Hassman was 1-for-4 with an RBI.
– Kevin Handzlik went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
– Aaron Barratt was 1-for-4 with a double.
– Matt Schingel finished 1-for-3 with RBI and a double.
– Logan Rycraft went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
– Quintin Van Ackeren picked up his fourth win after throwing seven shutout innings, he allowed only four hits and struck out four batters.
– Trevor Dudar grabbed his 13th save of the year to put him as the all time leader in saves in a single season.

Key Northwest Innings
– In the bottom of the first inning, Bilodeau hit a double to right center and then moved to third on a fly out. Figg followed an out with a double to right field to score Bilodeau from third.

– After an out, Gutierrez reached on an error and moved to third on a double down the right field line by Figg. Hassman would then single to left field to score Gutierrez and put the Bearcats ahead 2-0.

– After an out, Hussey walked and came around to score on a double to left field by Rycraft to put the Cats up 3-0.

– Handzlik started the eighth inning with a single up the middle and moved to third on a double to left center by Barratt. Schingel hit a sacrifice fly to deep right to score Handzlik and make the score 4-0.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on Central Oklahoma on Friday, May 4, at 3 p.m. in Edmond, Ok.

— Northwest Athletics —

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