We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Author: Dave Riggert

Mizzou’s Tilmon declares for 2019 NBA draft but could return next season

Posted on

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou rising junior forward Jeremiah Tilmon announced Monday that he will he enter his name in the 2019 NBA Draft pool in order to test the process, but will take steps to retain his collegiate eligibility to allow a return for his third season in Columbia.

“It’s always been a dream of mine since I started playing basketball to make it to the NBA,” Tilmon said. “I want to get everything I can out of this process. I’m excited to learn from it and get the feedback I need.”

“Jeremiah has a chance to take advantage of a valuable opportunity and gather information through the process to help him moving forward,” head coach Cuonzo Martin said. “We fully support him using the resources available and we’ll assist him in any way we can.”

Tilmon led Mizzou on the inside during his sophomore campaign, posting 10.1 points per game and grabbing a team-best 183 rebounds. During his Mizzou career, Tilmon has been extremely efficient in the paint, posting field goal percentages above 50 percent in each of his two seasons.

Tilmon is the first Mizzou player to shoot over 50 percent from the field in back-to-back seasons when attempting 200 or more shots since Laurence Bowers did so in both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. The last Mizzou player to accomplish the feat in his freshman and sophomore seasons was Arthur Johnson in 2000-01 and 2001-02.

The East St. Louis native also saw improvement in SEC action from year one to year two, posting a better clip from the field (54.4 percent) and 2.6 more points per game while committing 10 fewer turnovers. Tilmon’s player efficiency rating during conference play soared from to 9.9 to 17.8 from his freshman to sophomore year.

During his two seasons at Mizzou, Tilmon has collected six double-doubles, scored in double digits 27 times and has reached the 20-point barrier on a pair of occasions.

The NCAA deadline for withdrawal from the NBA Draft is May 29.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Griffons use 6-run 8th to rally and sweep Northwest Missouri State

Posted on

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The comeback Griffs did it again on Sunday. The Missouri Western baseball team (17-15, 14-10) tallied six runs in the bottom of the eighth to clinch a season sweep of rival Northwest Missouri (17-19, 13-11) with a 7-6 victory.  MWSU won all three game this weekend, as well as a single game in March at Maryville.

Down 6-1 headed to the home half of the eighth, Nolan Monthei led off the inning with a pinch-hit triple and scored one batter later on Dusty Stroup’s single. Fahd Shakeel tripled for the second-straight day off Northwest pitcher Aaron Easley, driving in two. With two out, Casey Danley tied the game with a two-run single through the left side that got him to second on the throw and Will Jibas to third. With Monthei batting again, a wild pitch allowed Jibas to dash home for the winning run.

Jacob Miller closed it out for MWSU, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning on a strikeout and two ground outs. Carson Dwyre got the win in relief for the second straight day. He retired two of three he faced in the top of the eighth, but giving up a two-run home run to Derek Hussey.

The series sweep of Northwest pushed Missouri Western into a tie for third in the MIAA standings with Central Oklahoma, just a game back of Emporia State, which dropped two of three to Pittsburg State this weekend. The Griffons and Bronchos are three games back of Central Missouri and Missouri Southern who are tied for first.

Missouri Western travels to Pittsburg State (20-17, 13-11) for a three-game series April 18-20.

— MWSU Athletics —

Dozier’s walk-off single completes KC’s three-game sweep of Cleveland

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Terrance Gore has carved out a most unusual big league career, one that’s had him on base more often than in the batter’s box.

In an era marked by big swingers and advanced analytics, Gore showed Sunday that a speed specialist can have plenty of value in the late innings.

The pinch-running extraordinaire stole a base and then scored on Hunter Dozier’s single in the ninth, lifting the Kansas City Royals over the Cleveland Indians 9-8 to complete a three-game sweep of the AL Central favorites.

Ryan O’Hearn led off the ninth with a walk against Brad Hand (0-1) and was replaced by Gore. He swiped second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Roberto Perez, and Dozier then singled to left for Kansas City’s first walk-off win of the season.

“I looked at (Hand) before I went out there and saw his pickoff move,” Gore said with a wide smile. “I found the key to go on. I found a good pitch to go on. I saw the ball trickle out to center, and me being aggressive. I went for third.”

The Royals were questioned in spring training about using a roster spot for an almost one-dimensional player, but manager Ned Yost said Sunday is good evidence for Gore’s value.

“My whole mindset was `Find a way on.’ If you get on, I felt like we were going to win,” Yost said. “We had Gore ready to pinch-run as early as the seventh.

“I don’t know which was more crucial, Dozier’s hit or O’Hearn’s walk,” Yost added. “Probably O’Hearn’s walk, because without that, Dozier’s hit was just a single.”

Gore has 31 stolen bases and taken just 25 at-bats in six major league seasons.

“That’s why they have Gore sitting over there,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.

The Indians had not been swept in a road series of at least three games since May 4-6, 2018, at Yankee Stadium.

The Royals roughed up two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, who allowed 11 of his 18 batters to reach base safely. He gave up six runs, six hits and a career-most five walks in just 2 2/3 innings. The five walks doubled Kluber’s season total — he didn’t walk more than three batters in any game in 2018.

“He started getting under some pitches,” Francona said. “I know he knew it, but he had a hard time self-correcting. He just hasn’t gotten to the point yet where he’s a consistent Kluber. He will, and we’ll all be thrilled. It’s still a work in progress. Even when your last name’s Kluber, sometimes it’s still a work in progress.”

Royals starter Jakob Junis gave up five runs and eight hits through 6 1/3 innings.

Lucas Duda, Whit Merrifield and Jorge Soler homered for Kansas City. Duda had two hits and four RBI.

Leonys Martin hit his second leadoff homer in five days for Cleveland during a three-run first inning. Martin had three hits, and Jake Bauers had two hits, including a tying two-run single to cap a three-run rally in the seventh.

Wily Peralta (1-1) pitched the top of the ninth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Indians: SS Francisco Lindor left to join Triple-A Columbus in Louisville for a rehab assignment. Francona said before Sunday’s game that Cleveland wanted to “give him one more day of back-to-back-to-back.” Lindor has not played this season, due to a right calf strain and a left ankle sprain.

Royals: CF Billy Hamilton was not in the starting lineup, but manager Ned Yost said he “absolutely would be available” to play defense if necessary, but probably not to pinch run. He has a mild MCL sprain and a bone bruise on his left knee suffered when he crashed into the wall Thursday. Hamilton did not play.

ROSTER NEWS

The Indians selected the contract of OF Carlos Gonzalez from Triple-A Columbus. He batted third and went 1 for 5.

In a corresponding move, RHP Jefry Rodriguez was optioned to Columbus. Indians IF Brad Miller said he was designated for assignment, but the club did not announce it officially, or mention a corresponding move.

UP NEXT

Indians RHP Trevor Bauer (1-1, 2.29 ERA) will face Seattle’s Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, 4.15 ERA) when the Indians open a three-game series.

Royals RHP Heath Fillmyer (0-0, 15.00 ERA) will pitch as the Royals open a three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago. Former Royal Ervin Santana (0-1, 17.18 ERA) will take the mound for the White Sox.

— Associated Press —

Ozuna, Cardinals power past Reds 9-5 for split in Mexico

Posted on

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — For Marcell Ozuna, the atmosphere in the Estadio de Beisbol de Monterrey made it feel like a home game. Not in St. Louis, but back in the Dominican Republic.

Ozuna hit two home runs and Matt Carpenter connected for a tiebreaking drive in the seventh inning that sent the Cardinals over the Cincinnati Reds 9-5 Sunday for a split of their two-game series in Mexico.

“I liked the crowd here, it’s like in my country, it’s kind of the same the energy,” Ozuna said.

“It’s my first time in Monterrey and it feels good, the passion and the feel for the game that they have,” he said.

Ozuna has four home runs in his last five games along with eight RBI.

“I’m sure it was a comfortable feeling for him. I know it was for me,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “It’s an atmosphere that all Latin players enjoy, I’m sure I did.”

The stadium didn’t sell out for either game. But on both days, fans were noisy throughout the game, and the PA system blasted Latin music at every opportunity, creating a fiesta-like atmosphere.

“It felt like a winter league game there and I was trying to give my best to them,” Ozuna said.

Tyler O’Neill also homered for St. Louis. Yasiel Puig hit his first home run for the Reds and Jesse Winker hit his second in two days.

The Cardinals saluted the fans after the win and gave away their hats. The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels will play twice at this stadium in early May — Major League Baseball has committed to bring regular-season games to Mexico until 2021.

It was 4-all when Carpenter opened the seventh with his second home run of the season, tagging Amir Garrett (1-1). Ozuna hit a solo homer off Jared Hughes and Jose Martinez capped the five-run inning with a two-run single that made it 9-4.

“Amir has been doing a great job and he has been pitching very well,” Reds manager David Bell said. “It was a huge hit in the game for them. After that Jared came in to finish the right-handers and it just did not work out today.”

Ozuna hit a three-run homer and O’Neill added a solo drive as the Cardinals took a 4-0 lead in the first off Anthony DeSclafini.

The Reds rallied to tie it with a four-run fifth off Miles Mikolas. An error by Carpenter at third base set up an RBI double by Michael Lorenzen, and Winker’s three-run drive tied it.

Winker has hit four home runs in his last five games.

Puig homered in the eighth to make it 9-5 and the Reds loaded the bases, but Jordan Hicks retired pinch-hitter Kyle Farmer on a grounder to escape.

Hicks closed for this third save. John Gant (3-0) pitched one inning.

CHANGING THE TUNE

For the Mexico series, and probably in an attempt to please the local crowd, Puig and Reds teammate Joey Votto changed their walk-up song. Puig dropped “This Girl” by Kungs vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners for “El Rey” by Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez, while Votto skipped “Paint It Black” from the Rolling Stones and instead used “Como la Flor” by Selena.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Dakota Hudson (0-1, 2.79) starts at Milwaukee.

Reds: Puig makes his return to Dodger Stadium when Cincinnati opens a series Monday. RHP Luis Castillo (1-1, 0.92 ERA) starts for the Reds — he struck out at least eight and given up no more than two hits in each of his first three starts this year.

— Associated Press —

Griffons rally past Bearcats 13-10 to clinch series win

Posted on

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Game two of a three-game series between Missouri Western (16-15, 13-10) and Northwest Missouri (17-18, 13-10) looked like rivalry baseball. The Griffons rallied twice with an eight-run fourth and a four-run seventh to clinch the series with a 13-10 victory.

The rivals combined for 23 runs, 21 hits, five errors and used 11 total pitchers. It gave Missouri Western 29 runs in the first two games of the series along with seven home runs so far in the series with three on Saturday.

The win pushed the Griffs into a three-way tie for fifth place in the MIAA standings with Northwest and Lindenwood, just a half game back of Central Oklahoma for fourth.

NOTABLES

  • Early, it looked like Northwest was headed to as series-tying victory after scoring five runs and chasing Jacob Purl from the game after three innings
  • MWSU responded with a five-hit, eight-run fourth inning capped by back-to-back home run by Andrew Curry and Brooks Day
  • Curry’s shot gave MWSU an 8-6 lead before Day put the Griffs up by three
  • Northwest chipped away and regained the lead on a two-run home run in the top of the seventh
  • Fahd Shakeel, aided by a throwing error, scored on his own RBI triple in the bottom of the seventh to give MWSU an 11-10 lead
  • An RBI-single by Josh Robinson and an RBI fielder’s choice by Casey Danley put MWSU up 13-10
  • Carson Dwyre slammed the door, retiring all eight batters he faced, four on strikeouts, to earn his second win of the season
  • Curry was 3-for-5 with three RBIs
  • Danley drove in three and Fahd Shakeel and Robinson had two hits apiece

UP NEXT

  • MWSU goes for its first series sweep since taking all three of its MIAA opening series with Fort Hays State in late February at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Royals shutout Indians 3-0 for second straight win

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Homer Bailey pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Indians 3-0 Saturday night for their second straight win after a 10-game skid.

Ian Kennedy pitched a perfect eighth and Willy Peralta followed in the ninth for his first save to complete the two-hitter.

Ryan O’Hearn homered, and Whit Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi each had an RBI single for the Royals.

Bailey (1-1), who allowed seven runs, eight hits and two walks in five innings against Seattle on Monday, gave up only a pair of hits to eighth-place hitter Brad Miller. Bailey had won only one of his last 22 home starts, dating to 2016. He went 1-14 with a 7.49 ERA over that span.

Jefry Rodriguez (0-1) gave up two runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings in his first start with Cleveland. He was acquired in the offseason from Washington in the trade that sent catcher Yan Gomes to the Nationals.

Bailey had not won in an American League ballpark since May 19, 2012, when he won in Yankee Stadium while with Cincinnati.

He suffered a series of injuries beginning near the end of 2014 after pitching a no-hitter in each of the previous two years — Sept. 28, 2012, at Pittsburgh, and July 2, 2013, against San Francisco.

The Royals got on the board in the bottom of the third. Martin Maldonado led off the inning with a double to left center, snapping an 0-for-17 stretch. He moved to third on a flyout to left and scored on Mondesi’s two-out single.

The Royals added another run in the fourth when O’Hearn hit his second homer of the season, 429 feet to right field.

Merrifield had his second hit of the night, a two-out single in the seventh that drove in Hunter Dozier to give the Royals a 3-0 lead.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Indians: SS Francisco Lindor is likely headed to a minor-league rehab assignment as early as Monday. Lindor had a workout on Saturday, running the bases for the second day in a row. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said he’ll go to Louisville to join Triple-A Columbus, if there are “no ill effects, no repercussions of a second-day workout.” Lindor has not played this season due to a right calf strain and a left ankle sprain.

Royals: CF Billy Hamilton was kept out of the lineup for a second straight game with a mild MCL sprain and a bone bruise on his left knee suffered when he crashed into the wall Thursday. Royals manager Ned Yost says he’s about ready. “He seemed a little stiff yesterday but definitely could have played in an emergency,” Yost said. “He feels better today. Let’s see how he feels tomorrow, and we’ll determine where we’re at on the road.”

ROSTER NEWS

Indians RHP Cody Anderson and RHP Rodriguez were recalled Triple-A Columbus. Rodriguez made his first start with the Indians, while Anderson was added to the bullpen. RHP Jon Edwards and OF Jordan Luplow were optioned to Columbus to make room after the bullpen had to throw 7 1/3 innings on Friday.

“Sometimes somebody is a casualty of a game like that,” Francona said. “And I told (Luplow) that. I do think that it’ll be good for him to get at-bats, because he’s young and needs to play. Sometimes there are casualties when a pitcher goes less than one inning. That’s just the way the game is. Sometimes it’s unfair.”

The Indians also are expected to recall OF Carlos Gonzalez from Columbus before Sunday’s game. Gonzalez hit .348 with a home run and three RBI in six games at Columbus.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Corey Kluber (1-2, 3.86 ERA) picked up his first win of the season on April 9 in Detroit, when he gave up two runs (one earned) on seven hits, eight strikeouts and a walk in six innings.

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis (1-1, 5.74 ERA) will go in the finale of the seven-game homestand.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western softball sweeps Gorillas as win streak reaches 12

Posted on

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Missouri Western softball team (30-14, 17-5) stretched its win streak to 12 games with an offensive onslaught Saturday at Pittsburg State (21-24, 9-11).

The Griffons scored 12 unanswered runs over the final two innings of a game one 13-3 run-rule victory. In game two, the Griffs added nine more hits and two more doubles in a 7-2 win.

Missouri Western’s current win streak that includes six consecutive MIAA doubleheader sweeps is the longest since the 2015 team won 16 in a row.

GAME 1
Missouri Western 13, Pittsburg State 3 (6 innings)

  • Down 3-1 after four innings, MWSU scored seven in the fifth and five more in the sixth to win by run-rule
  • The seven-run fifth featured six Griffon hits, two for Morgan Frost
  • MWSU added to its MIAA-leading home run total with a first inning solo shot by Gabi Carter and a three-run shot by Emma Hoffart that got the scoring started in the fifth, the 33rd and 34th home runs of the season for the team
  • Six Griffs had at least two hits, including three by Frost and Carter
  • Sydni Hawkins’ two-hit game pushed her hitting streak to 14 games
  • Kaili Hinds held Pitt State to three hits and picked up her 14th win of the season

GAME 2
Missouri Western 7, Pittsburg State 2

  • The Griffons had nine hits and took advantage of Pitt State miscues
  • MWSU scored two in the first, one on a passed ball and another on an error
  • Frost made it 4-0 Griffs with a two-run double in the second
  • Taylor Hoelscher drove in two with a single in the third
  • An Pittsburg State error in the fourth allowed Brea Blanton to score MWSU’s seventh run
  • Frost had two more hits and drove in two. Another double gave her 19 on the season, second most in the MIAA
  • Blanton was 2-for-3 with three runs scored
  • Hawkins made it 14 straight games with a base hit, going 1-for-3
  • Kenzie Hilzer went the distance and improved to 6-7 on the year, her fourth-straight appearance with either a win or save

UP NEXT

  • The Griffons get next week off before hosting two MIAA series to end the regular season
  • Washburn and Emporia State visit the Spring Sports Complex on April 26th and 27th, respectively.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State softball gets swept at Pitt State

Posted on

JOPLIN, Missouri – The Missouri Southern Lions picked up a pair of wins Saturday morning over the Northwest Missouri State Bearcat softball squad.

The Lions won the first game in five innings, 9-1. The Lions secured a 5-1 triumph in the second contest.

Game One
Missouri Southern started game one with a seven-run first.

The Bearcats scored one run in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly from Sydne Brashear that plated Kaitlyn Weis and cut the lead to 7-1.

The Lions scored single runs in the fourth and fith to close out the five-inning victory, 9-1.

Game Two
The Lions jumped out early again in game two with three runs in the first.

Ady Watts singled to left field in the top of the second inning bringing in Weis to score and cut the lead to 3-1.

The Lions added two more runs in the bottom of the second inning to advance the lead to 5-1.

Northwest mustered only four more base runners after the second inning. The Bearcats were limited to three hits in the game with two coming in the second and one other in the seventh.

Up next for the Bearcats is a home doubleheader against Southwest Baptist on Monday starting at 2 p.m.

NOTES: Kaitlyn Weis, who registered two hits against the Lions, leads the squad with a season batting average of .398 … she also has 28 RBI and 8 home runs … Ady Watts, who tallied an RBI in game two, has a .325 slugging percentage this season.

— MWSU Athletics —

MWSU Track & Field wins four events at Pittsburg State

Posted on

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Missouri Western Men’s and Women’s Track and Field totaled four individual wins at the 11th Annual David Suenram Gorilla Classic on Saturday. The Griffons went toe-to-toe with some of the best competition in the country.

On the men’s side Grand Valley (5), Pittsburg State (11), Missouri Southern (12), and Central Missouri (18) are all ranked in the top-20 in NCAA Div. II. Several powerhouse women’s teams were also competing in Pittsburg, including Grand Valley (1), Missouri Southern (3), and Pittsburg State (7).

Nevertheless, the Griffons still came away with four event winners and several other top-five finishes. Hanna Williams, Megan Gillen, and Riley Gorham all claimed victories in track events for Missouri Western. Julia Odir also posted a win for the Griffons with her jump of 11.65m.

Williams and Jordan Garr both earned provisional marks on Saturday. Garr’s throw of 16.96m in the shot put also gave him a third-place finish.

TOP FINISHERS

  • Hanna Williams, 1st, Women’s 400m, 55.54 (Provisional)
  • Megan Gillen, 1st, Women’s 800m, 2:20.29
  • Riley Gorham, 1st, Men’s 1500m, 4:01.74
  • Julia Odir, 1st, Women’s Triple Jump, 11.65m
  • Jordan Garr, 3rd, Men’s Shot Put, 16.96m (Provisional)
  • Jacob Oyler, 3rd, Men’s 5000m, 16:08.20
  • Claire Reedy, Paige Kvale, Megan Gillen, Grace Schottel, 3rd, Women’s 4x400m, 4:06.77
  • Claire Reedy, 4th, Women’s 1500m, 5:00.57
  • Savannah Simmons, 5th, Women’s 200m, 25.33
  • Hunter Scaggs, 5th, Men’s High Jump, 2.02m

UP NEXT

  • Missouri Western will compete at the Kansas Relays beginning on April 17.

— MWSU Athletics —

Western tennis defeats Fort Hays State to clinch MIAA tournament berth

Posted on

HAYS, Kan. – Missouri Western (11-11, 2-6 MIAA) has officially punched its ticket to the MIAA tennis championships in Oklahoma City. The Griffons clinched their spot by defeating Fort Hays State (3-10, 0-8 MIAA) 5-2 on the road on Saturday.

The Griffons took the doubles points with wins on the number one and three courts. Joanna Abreu Roman and Karolina Ström started things off for Missouri Western with a 6-1 victory to open up the match. The Tigers would win the second doubles match before Federica Salmaso and Bojana Vuksan put the Griffons on the scoreboard with a 6-3 win to finish the doubles. Saturday’s doubles win is the seventh of the season for Salmaso and Vuksan, which is second on the team behind the duo of Abreu Roman and Ström.

Vuksan continued momentum for the Griffons with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout win. Ström and Salmaso also both won their singles matches, giving Missouri Western four points to clinch the match.

Abreu Roman battled her way to a victory in what turned out to be the day’s most competitive match. After losing the first set, the senior stormed back to win the final two sets by scores of 6-1 and 10-5. Abreu Roman is now second on the team with 12 wins in duals this season.

Missouri Western will wrap up the regular season at Nebraska Kearney (13-12, 2-6 MIAA) on Monday. It will be the team’s final competition before the MIAA Championships in Oklahoma City on April 26.

MWSU VS. FHSU
SINGLES
Karolina Ström (MWSU) def. Laura Jimenez-Lendinez (FHSU) 6-1, 6-3
Natalie Lubbers (FHSU) def. Birosta,Mireia (MWSU) 6-1, 6-0
Joanna Abreu Roman (MWSU) def. Lauren Lindell (FHSU) 3-6, 6-1, 10-5
Federica Salmaso (MWSU) def. Ellea Ediger (FHSU) 6-1, 6-3
Macy Moyers,(FHSU) def. Erica Dunn (MWSU) 2-6, 6-1, 10-8
Bojana Vuksan (MWSU) def. Haley Weidemann (FHSU) 6-0, 6-0

DOUBLES
Abreu Roman/Ström (MWSU) def. Lindell/Lubbers (FHSU) 6-1
Ediger/Moyers (FHSU) def. Birosta/Dunn (MWSU) 6-2
Salmaso/Vuksan (MWSU) def. Jimenez-Lendinez/Lubbers (FHSU) 6-3

— MWSU Athletics —

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File