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Author: Dave Riggert

Missouri Western earns at-large bid to the NCAA men’s golf tournament

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ST. JOSEPH – For the first time in 10 years, the Missouri Western men’s golf team will play in the NCAA Division II Regional. The Griffons were selected eighth in the final central region poll and will begin play in the Central/Midwest Regional May 7 in Findlay, Ohio.

The youthful Griffons were one of four MIAA teams selected to the field of 10 central region participants. Led by All-MIAA selections Patrick McCarthy and Kevin Kim, Missouri Western finished no worse than 10th in all 10 events this year. The Griffons won the Broncho Stampede Invitational to finish the championship portion of their season and tied for first at their home event, the Holiday Inn Express/Candlewood Suites MWSU Invitational in October.

The three round regional will be held at the Findlay Country Club May 7-9. At a minimum, the top three finishing teams at the regional along with the top-two individuals not on an advancing team, will qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championships at the Robert Trent Golf Trail at the Shoals, Fighting Joe Course in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

— MWSU Athletics —

Mizzou drops series opener at No. 13 Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mizzou Baseball dropped its series opener at No. 13 Kentucky, 2-1, Friday night (April 27) at Cliff Hagan Field. Kentucky got a go-ahead two-out homer from cleanup man Luke Heyer off Mizzou starter T.J. Sikkema in the fifth inning and that proved to be the difference. Mizzou falls to 28-14 on the year and 8-11 in SEC play while Kentucky improves to 28-14 and 9-10 in SEC play.

Sikkema took a tough-luck loss, falling to 3-4 on the year. He went 6.0+ innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits while striking out six against zero walks. Kentucky starter and reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year Sean Hjelle earned the win, improving to 6-3 on the year. He tossed 8.0 innings, scattering just six hits while striking out eight. He surrendered just one run on a first-inning sacrifice squeeze by senior C Brett Bond.

Freshman CF Cade Bormet missed a two-out game-tying homer in the top of the ninth inning by about a foot, caroming off the top of the wall, settling for a double to extend his hitting streak to six games. He was stranded on second base representing the tying run.

TURNING POINT

Mizzou and Sikkema took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning. After Sikkema retired the leadoff man, a one-out single by C Troy Squires set up the go-ahead inning for the Wildcats. Sikkema induced what would have been a tailor-made double play ball off the bat of Kole Cottam, but Squires was running on the pitch and that extended the inning as Mizzou got just the one out. That loomed large as Luke Heyer hit a go-ahead two-run homer to center field, just over the 390-foot wall.

That blow came as Hjelle appeared to settle in, facing the minimum over the fifth and sixth innings. Mizzou got a leadoff double from Alex Samples in the seventh, but could not push him across as that was Mizzou’s best chance to tie the game.

QUOTING MIZZOU

Head Coach Steve Bieser

“Really tough game right there. We had our opportunities and just didn’t take advantage of those opportunities. When you don’t do that, you’re going to get in trouble and that’s what happened tonight.”

TOP TIGERS

  • Sophomore LHP T.J. Sikkema worked 6.0+ innings, facing one batter in the seventh inning, wallowing just two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. He walked just one in a tough-luck loss.
  • Junior 1B Brian Sharp reached base in three plate appearances, singling and scoring to leadoff the first, and walk later in the game. He tallied an infield hit in the eighth inning for his ninth multi-hit game of the season.
  • Senior C Brett Bond had Mizzou’s lone RBI on a sacrifice bunt in the first inning.
  • Junior RHP Nile Ball turned in a pair of shutout relief innings, striking out four.
  • Senior 3B Alex Samples hit his third double in the last two games Friday.
  • Freshman Cade Bormet extended his hitting streak to six games with a two-out double in the ninth inning.

NOTES

  • Mizzou now trail the all-time series with Kentucky, 6-8.
  • Mizzou falls to 6-5 on Fridays this season and 22-6 in night games.
  • Mizzou is now 8-8 against ranked teams this season.
  • Mizzou falls to 7-8 in road games this season
  • Mizzou scored in the first inning for the 18th time this season. Mizzou is 13-5 in such games this season. Mizzou has scored 35 runs in the first inning this season (42 runs).
  • Senior 3B Alex Samples hit his eighth double of the season in the seventh inning. He now has three doubles in his last two games.
  • Mizzou played its 25th errorless game of the season Friday as it continues to defend alongside the nation’s best teams.
  • Mizzou held its opponent to fewer than three runs for the 24th time in 42 games. It marked the 21st time in 42 games that the opponent has scored two or fewer runs.

UP NEXT

Mizzou and Kentucky will play Saturday at 1 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Griffons’ Shi Qing Ong named MIAA Golfer of the Year

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Griffon women’s golfer Shi Qing Ong was named MIAA Golfer of the Year as announced by the conference, Friday afternoon.

Ong was the medalist at this week’s MIAA Championships in Kansas City, claiming the individual title by seven strokes. Her MIAA win was the third individual title for the junior this season. She was also named first team All-MIAA for the third time in her career after being named MIAA Golfer of the year four times.

Joining Ong on the first team was Chong Yong. The sophomore had five top-10 finishes this season after qualifying, individually, for the NCAA Division II National Championships last season.

— MWSU Athletics —

St. Louis blows 3-run lead in ninth as they lose at Pittsburgh in 11 innings

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Starling Marte’s game-ending single in the 11th inning lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

David Freese drew a one-out walk from rookie Jordan Hicks (1-1), advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on Gregory Polanco’s groundout. Marte then delivered a liner into center field, giving the Pirates their third victory in four games.

Cardinals closer Greg Holland started the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead, but failed to retire any of the batters he faced as his ERA rose to 7.11 in nine appearances. He was signed to a $14-million, one-year contract on opening day after tying for the NL lead with 41 saves last season with the Colorado Rockies. It was his first blown save with the Cardinals.

Corey Dickerson doubled and scored when first baseman Jose Martinez misplayed Colin Moran’s groundball for an error. Jordy Mercer then doubled off the center-field fence to drive in a run. When Tommy Pham misplayed the ball for an error, pinch-runner Chad Kuhl scored the tying run and Mercer advanced to third.

Three relievers combined to keep Mercer stranded, sending the game to extra innings but the Cardinals wound up losing for just the third time in 13 games.

Francisco Cervelli had three of the Pirates’ 10 hits and Polanco hit his sixth home run but first since April 12.

George Kontos (2-2) pitched one scoreless inning.

The Cardinals’ Marcell Ozuna had two RBI singles among his three hits and Jedd Gyorko homered.

St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas was in line to raise his record to 4-0 after allowing two runs and six hits in seven innings with seven strikeouts and no walks before the Pirates rallied against Holland.

Pittsburgh starter Steven Brault gave up five runs (four earned) in 4 2/3 innings.

Polanco’s home run led off the sixth and Dickerson added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to cut the Cardinals’ lead to 5-2.

The Cardinals broke on top 5-0 as Gyorko’s leadoff home run keyed a three-run third inning that included an RBI double by Pham and a run-scoring single by Ozuna. Kolten Wong hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth and Ozuna singled in a run an inning later.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: LHP Ryan Sherriff (fractured right big toe) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis.

Pirates: RHP AJ Schugel (right shoulder discomfort) has pitched twice for Triple-A Indianapolis, giving up one run in 2 2/3 innings, since having his rehab assignment moved from Class A Bradenton.

KANG TO EXTENDED SPRING

Pirates INF Jung Ho Kang, who is on the restricted list, will begin working out Monday at extended spring training in Bradenton Florida. Kang has not played for the Pirates since 2016 as he was unable to obtain a work visa last year after being arrested in his native South Korea for DUI for a third time and receiving an eight-month suspended sentence.

BULLPEN SHUFFLE

The Cardinals optioned RHP John Gant to Memphis a day after he pitched three perfect innings to get the win in a 13-inning game with the New York Mets. RHP Mike Mayers was recalled from Memphis.

KINGHAM LIKELY TO DEBUT

Manager Clint Hurdle said the Pirates are planning to recall RHP Nick Kingham from Indianapolis to make a spot start Sunday. It would mark the major league debut for the 26-year-old.

TURN OF THE CENTURY

Phil Coyne, who retired as an usher just prior to opening day, was honored in a pre-game ceremony on his 100th birthday. Coyne began ushering in 1936 and the Pirates estimate he worked over 6,000 games at Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park.

UP NEXT

St. Louis will recall RHP Jack Flaherty (0-0, 1.80 ERA) from Memphis to start Saturday night against RHP Trevor Williams (3-1, 2.15). Flaherty pitched for the Cardinals on April 3 at Milwaukee and allowed one run in five innings of a no-decision. Williams is 1-2 with an 8.15 ERA against the Cardinals in six career games.

— Associated Press —

MWSU’s softball season ends with loss to Central Oklahoma

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – No. 5-seeded Griffon Softball (25-29) was eliminated from the MIAA Championships with a 3-1 loss to No. 3-seeded Central Oklahoma (31-21), Friday at ASA Hall of Fame Complex.

Kenzie Hilzer and Kaili Hinds combined to strand 13 UCO base runners in the game, working around at least two runners in every inning to hold the Bronchos to three runs on 10 hits. The Griffon offense had a hard time moving base runners itself, leaving seven on base in the game. MWSU had five hits and walked three times.

  • It was just the third time in the Jen Bagley Trotter era the Griffons finished the season under .500 and the first time since 2008 (27-28)
  • The top five batters in the Griffon order went a combined 1-for-13 in the game
  • Gabi Carter went 2-for-3 in the game
  • Tamara Hicks went 2-for-3
  • Morgan Frost drove in the only Griffon run on a single in the third
  • Hilzer (14-14) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on nine hits. She walked five and struck out two

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons rally past No. 1 seed Washburn to stay alive at MIAA softball tournament

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – No. 5 seed Griffon Softball (25-28) rallied to keep its season alive, coming back to eliminate No. 1-seeded Washburn 5-4 on the opening night of the MIAA Championships.

Shelby Uhl delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth to push Missouri Western past the MIAA regular season champions. Gabi Carter got on to lead off the eighth by being hit by a pitch. Kalyn Damgaard pinch ran for Carter and got to second two batters later on Markee Brown’s fielder’s choice. Uhl bounced a single into center that scored Damgaard from second to give MWSU the upset win.

Down 4-0 in the bottom of the seventh, the bottom of the Griffon order sparked the rally. Rebekah Mueller led off the inning with a double to left and got to third when Markee Brown singled and advanced on a throw. With runners on second and third, Tamara Hicks struck out. Shelby Uhl gave the Griffs their first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Mueller and got Brown to third. Shelbie Atwell followed with an RBI-double to left center. Morgan Frost scored Atwell with a single to left and got to second herself on the throw. Lonnie Groves drove in the tying run with a single to right.

The Griffons were limited to just an infield single through the first six innings, but totaled five hits in the seventh. Kenzie Hilzer picked up the win in relief. The honorable mention All-MIAA pitcher entered with runners on first and second and one out in the eighth. She coaxed two ground outs to end the Ichabod threat.

A 5-3 loss to No. 4 seed Northwest Missouri in the opener pushed the Griffons into the Thursday night elimination game. The win over Washburn moves the Griffons into another elimination game Friday at 11 a.m. against No. 3 seed Central Oklahoma

— MWSU Athletics —

Royals drop series opener against White Sox 6-3

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Matt Davidson is disproving the notion power hitters don’t like Kauffman Stadium.

Davidson hit two of Chicago’s five home runs, leading the White Sox to a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

Davidson, who drove in three runs, has seven home runs this season — five against the Royals in Kansas City. He hit three out in the season opener March 29. In this game, he homered in the fourth and then hit a two-run shot in the sixth that went 450 feet to left-center.

“It’s something about the Kansas City barbecue has gotten him going,” said White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito (1-3). “I come in after an inning, and guys are hitting home runs left and right and it makes me feel good. I’m ready to get back out there and put another zero on the board.”

Davidson is 6 for 10 with five home runs in three games this season at the Royals’ ballpark.

“I do love barbecue in general,” Davidson said. “It’s one of those things. It’s not like when I come here, `like man, I can’t wait to get here.’ It’s kind of a big park and the green backdrop. You see the ball well here.

“It’s pretty cool hitting here. It’s not necessarily a hitter’s park, but it’s gone pretty well so far. We’ve won every day we’ve been here. So let’s keep it going.”

Yoan Moncada homered to open the first inning for Chicago for the second straight game, and Yolmer Sanchez and Trayce Thompson also went deep against Jakob Junis (3-2), who became the third pitcher in franchise history to allow five homers in a game. The others were Chris Young, May 9, 2016 at the New York Yankees, and Sean O’Sullivan, May, 28, 2011 at Texas.

Junis gave up six runs and six hits with two walks over 5 2/3 innings.

“A few of them were up and out over the plate and they took advantage of them,” Junis said. “Pretty rare to give up five homers on six hits in a game. That’s never really happened to me. When you give up six, you’re not really getting it done.”

The Royals went 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.

“We’re getting guys on,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We’re getting opportunities. We’re just struggling to get that big base hit.”

Giolito allowed two runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. His only hiccup was a Jorge Soler home run with Mike Moustakas aboard in the fourth.

The Royals loaded the bases with one out in the eighth and managed to score a run on Alcides Escobar’s two-out single. Joakim Soria worked a scoreless ninth for his third save in four chances.

The White Sox picked up just their second victory in 11 games. The Royals dropped to a major league-worst 1-10 at home.

ROSTER MOVES

The White Sox sent 1B Casey Gillaspie outright off the 40-man roster. Gillaspie, a 2014 first-round pick of the Rays, was hitting .214 with 29 strikeouts in 76 at-bats with Triple-A Charlotte. … The White Sox acquired OF Todd Cunningham from the Pirates for future considerations. He has spent parts of three seasons in the majors with the Braves and Angels.

FARQUHAR UPDATE

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said RHP Danny Farquhar has been able to go on light walks with his wife as he continues to improve. He remains in stable condition in intensive care after suffering a brain aneurysm Saturday and collapsing in the dugout.

RENTERIA’S MOTHER DIES

Renteria’s mother, Angela, 91, died Wednesday. Renteria will miss the White Sox games Friday and Saturday to attend services in Austin, Texas.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: 1B Jose Abreu was not in the lineup with flu-like symptoms, which caused him to exit in the fourth inning Wednesday. … LF Nicky Delmonico was scratched with a stiff neck. Traycie Thompson replaced him in the lineup.

Royals: RHP Nathan Karns, who is on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation, threw a 25-pitch one inning simulated game. … RHP Ian Kennedy has the clearance to start Sunday after leaving his Tuesday start with a bruised toe.

UP NEXT

White Sox: RHP Reynaldo Lopez has not allowed more than four hits or two runs in any of his four starts.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy was pulled after 4 2/3 innings in his previous start, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks at Detroit.

— Associated Press —

Fowler, Pham lead Cards over Mets in 13 innings

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Dexter Fowler has hit in six different lineup slots in the last six games for the St. Louis Cardinals. In the series finale against the New York Mets, he was at the right spot at the right time.

Fowler’s 13th-inning single capped a comeback from a pair of deficits Thursday and gave the Cardinals a 4-3 victory .

“I’m a swing man, I’m hitting everywhere,” Fowler quipped. “First, second, I’m trying to get all nine. Some people play all nine positions, I just hit everywhere.”

The lineup juggling has been an attempt by Cardinals manager Mike Matheny spark Fowler and several other hitters after a slow start. Fowler has three RBI in his last two games.

“My swing’s there,” Fowler said. “I’ve just been hitting stuff off the end of the bat, not hitting it the way I want to. I’m barreling it, just towards the end.”

St. Louis trailed 2-0 in the seventh and 3-2 in the 10th. Tommy Pham had four hits and scored twice, a day after leaving a game after cutting his head with his bat while warning up in an indoor batting game. He played with a large bandage on his head.

“It could have been worse,” Pham said. “I’m just extremely lucky.”

Jose Martinez walked with one out in the 13th against Paul Sewald (0-1), took second on a single by Marcell Ozuna and scored when Fowler singled to right for his sixth game-ending RBI.

John Gant (1-0), recalled from Triple-A Memphis before the game, pitched three perfect innings of relief for his second big league win. His first was for Atlanta against the Mets on June 17, 2016.

“He was finishing that game,” Matheny said. “He did a good job of finishing that game.”

St. Louis won its second straight against the Mets after losing the series opener in 10 innings. The Mets have lost eight of 12 after an 11-1 start.

“It would be frustrating if we weren’t where we are at in the standings,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “Were still in a pretty good spot, so what has happened the last week or week-and-a-half is not going to continue to happen. That’s just not going to happen, `cause we have really good pitchers and really good players.”

New York went ahead 3-2 in the 10th when Luke Gregerson loaded the bases with a walk to Adrian Gonzalez and forced in a run with a walk to Jose Lobaton.

Pham singled with two outs in the bottom half and scored when Martinez doubled off the center-field wall against Jeurys Familia, who blew a save for the third time in 12 chances.

“That guy’s nasty,” Martinez said.

Mets starter Noah Syndergaard allowed two runs — one earned — and six hits in 7 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. He retired his first 10 batters and did not allow a runner into scoring position until the seventh inning.

“I think the big thing for me today was for me to going out there and throwing in and tight to hitters,” Syndergaard said. “I haven’t really had my slider all season, but it was nice going out there and mix and match my sinker and change up and curveball when I needed it.”

Pham said Syndergaard has gotten better.

“I faced him in Triple-A and I faced him a couple of years ago — he was more so just a thrower with great stuff,” Pham said. “Now he’s elevated his arsenal.”

Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez gave up one run and four hits in six innings.

Yoenis Cespedes hit an RBI double in the first that ended Martinez’s scoreless streak at 18 innings and made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly in the seventh. His 23 RBI are one behind NL leader Javier Baez of the Chicago Cubs.

Pham doubled leading off the seventh and scored on Marcell Ozuna’s single. Greg Garcia led off the eighth with a grounder that bounced off the glove of shortstop Amed Rosario, who didn’t get hit glove down and was charged with an error. Garcia advanced to third on Matt Carpenter’s single against Syndergaard and scored on Pham’s single off Robert Gsellman.

BEANBALLS

Martinez hit Brandon Nimmo twice and Todd Frazier once. Martinez has hit a batter in a team-record seven consecutive games dating to Sept. 26, matching Pedro Martinez and Dave Bush for the fourth-longest streak in major league history.

UP AND DOWN

RHP John Brebbia was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to make room for Gant.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: Assistant hitting Coach Tom Slater served as first base coach for Ruben Amaro Jr., who was ill

UP NEXT

Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (2-0, 2.53 ERA) start Friday at San Diego in the opener off a three-game series. DeGrom has reached double digits in strikeouts in his last two starts.

Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (3-0, 3.46 ERA) starts Friday at Pittsburgh. Mikolas has walked two in 26 innings this season.

— Associated Press —

MWSU’s Uhl named MIAA Defensive Player of the Year; four earn All-MIAA honors

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Shelby Uhl was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and was one of four Griffons named All-MIAA as announced, Thursday.

Uhl was named to the second team as an outfielder, but became the second-straight Griffon to be named defensive player of the year after Katie Klosterman took the honor last season. Uhl entered the MIAA Championships as the only player in the MIAA with nine or more home runs (9), 40 or more RBI (42) and 20 or more stolen bases (20). The junior led MWSU in the regular season with a .351 batting average. She also led the team in RBI, hits, home runs, slugging percentage and stolen bases. In the outfield, Uhl started all 51 games, committing just one error all season. He also had six assists from her position in center. The Pleasant Hill, Iowa native was an honorable mention selection last season.

Shelbie Atwell became a three-time All-MIAA selection with her honorable mention this season. Atwell was among the MIAA leaders with 29 walks and her .447 on base percentage. The senior started all 51 games, splitting time between shortstop and first base. The Columbia, Missouri native’s 55 hits were tied for second on the team. She added 10 doubles which was also second on the team and 26 RBI.

Rebekah Mueller was named honorable mention, her first-ever All-MIAA honor. The senior catcher batted .279 with a career-high six home runs. Mueller’s 23 RBIs were also a career-high. She started all 51 games behind the plate this season, committing just three errors all year.

Kenzie Hilzer was an honorable mention selection as a pitcher. The sophomore turned her season around, finishing the regular season 13-12 with a 4.27 ERA. Hilzer started 29 games and made 32 appearances in the circle. In 172 innings, she allowed 213 hits and struck out 84 batters. Hilzer pitched two complete games.

— MWSU Athletics —

Western lets three-run lead slip away at Northwest Missouri State

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MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri rallied to defeat Griffon Baseball 8-7 on Wednesday.

Missouri Western led 7-4 headed to the bottom of the sixth. The Bearcats got two in the bottom half of that inning and added two more in the seventh to sweep the season series. Casey Danley led off the top of the ninth with a double and got to third with one out on a Brooks Day sacrifice Bunt. The Griffons couldn’t get Danley in with Dusty Stroup and Levi Schreiner both striking out to end the game.

NOTABLES

  • Missouri Western had 11 hits in the game
  • Danley went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. He hit a two-run home run in the fourth that capped a five-run inning for MWSU
  • Fahd Shakeel went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double and a triple. Shakeel also scored twice and had an RBI
  • Day was 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple
  • Maurice Bruce went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI
  • Kellan Richards took the loss, giving up two unearned runs and a hit in 1/3 inning of relief

UP NEXT
The Griffons end a run of eight-straight games on the road with a three-game series at Fort Hays State. The series begins Fridaywith first pitch of game one coming at 7 p.m. in Hays, Kansas.

— MWSU Athletics —

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