Dave Riggert – Page 408 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Missouri Western volleyball splits two matches at Washburn Invite

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. – With its back against the wall on the first day of the 2016 season, the Missouri Western volleyball team rallied to split two matches on the first day of the Washburn Invitational.

Match 1: University of Mary 3, MWSU 2
The Missouri Western Volleyball team dropped its opening match to University of Mary in five sets (25-20,23-25,25-23,24-26,9-15) in the opening game at the Washburn Invitational.

Missouri Western was in a battle early in the first set before using a 7-2 run to claim the first set. The Griffons erased a four-point deficit midway through the second set, but the Marauders were able to escape late in the set to tie the match at 1-1. The third set saw the Griffons fight off a late U of Mary rally with a setter’s attack from Lauren Murphy to take the 2-1 match lead. The fourth set, again, saw the Marauders escaping late with four-straight points to force a deciding fifth set. In the fifth set, Missouri Western could not overcome five straight points by U of Mary to close out the game.

The Griffons were led by Blair Russell, who had 14 kills on the match. Kelsey Olion added 12 kills, while hitting .500 for Missouri Western. Freshman Lauren Murphy made her first career start as a Griffon, dishing out 39 assists for the match.

Match 2: MWSU 3, Drury 2
Missouri Western’s third straight match at Washburn’s Lee Arena ended in a five sets. The Griffons rallied back from down 0-2 to beat Drury University 3-2 (19-25, 13-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-9) in the afternoon game of the Washburn Invitational.

After a late timeout, the Missouri Western offense found its groove. The Griffons used Kelsey Olion’s kill to spark five consecutive points in the third set to take a 16-14 lead from Drury and never looked back in the set. Brushing off a slow start in the fourth set, Missouri Western used a 12-4 advantage to gain momentum midway through and take the set following back-to-back Stephanie Doak kills.

Drury jumped out to an early 4-1 fifth set lead but, the Griffons took advantage of Rachel Friedrich’s kill to finish the match on a 7-3 run. Friedrich behind her 10 kills, four blocks and three aces led Missouri Western. Stephanie Doak added 10 kills with Kelsey Olion’s eight.

The Griffons evened their record to 1-1 and will look to add to that starting at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow against Quincy University and again at 1:30 p.m. versus Midwestern State.

— MWSU Athletics —

K-State’s upset bid comes up short at No. 8 Stanford

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey had two long touchdown runs and Ryan Burns threw a scoring pass in his first career start to lead No. 8 Stanford to a 26-13 victory over Kansas State on Friday night.

With the Wildcats focused on stopping McCaffrey after he set the major college football record for all-purpose yards and finished second last year in Heisman Trophy voting, Stanford turned to its new quarterback to lead the offense early and the defense late in the opener for both teams.

“The defense bailed us out a lot in the second half,” McCaffrey said. “We just have to be better in a lot of different areas. We have a lot of new guys on this team playing their first college football game. Sometimes that comes back and haunts you, especially Week 1.”

Burns completed his first 10 passes, including a 40-yard touchdown strike to Michael Rector on the opening play of the second quarter.

McCaffrey then got into the act with an electrifying 35-yard touchdown run. He froze safety Kendall Adams with a juke and raced to the end zone for the score.

“When he touches the ball enough, good things happen,” coach David Shaw said.

McCaffrey shattered Barry Sanders’ 27-year-old record by gaining 3,496 all-purpose yards last season when he finished second to Alabama’s Derrick Henry in the Heisman.

But Stanford’s offense stalled in the second half before McCaffrey iced the game with a late 41-yard TD run. He finished 126 yards on 22 carries and 210 all-purpose yards.

“They run the heck out of it,” Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. “McCaffrey is a tremendously talented player and a nice kid. You take away the two runs, one was a blitz and he ran right by guys. The first one he had a lot to do with, bouncing off guys. I counted at least three broken tackles on that first run. We were inconsistent consistently, let’s put it that way.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Kansas State: The Wildcats’ inexperienced offensive line featuring two freshmen struggled. Stanford had eight sacks, including one in the end zone by Jordan Watkins for a safety. Jesse Ertz was briefly knocked out of the game in the second half after one hit. He recovered to throw a late TD pass to Isaiah Zuber.

Stanford: After converting his first five third-down passes into first downs, Burns struggled. The Cardinal gained just 30 yards in the second half before McCaffrey’s second TD run. The defense was up to the task to make the lead hold but could have more trouble doing that once the Pac-12 schedule starts.

UP NEXT

Kansas State: The Wildcats play Florida Atlanta in their home opener Sept. 17.

Stanford: The Cardinal are off before beginning conference play at home against No. 20 USC.

— Associated Press —

MWSU soccer rallies to defeat Harding in overtime 4-3

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Chad Edwards said he wanted, needed, his team to score more goals in 2016. Well, if game one is going to set the tone for the rest of the season then Missouri Western’s all-time winningest head soccer coach is probably happy.

Edwards’ Griffons opened the 2016 season with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win over Harding at the MIAA-GAC Challenge hosted by Ouachita Baptist. The four goals were more than the team scored in any of its 18 games last year.

Sarah Blakley’s header in the 99th minute gave Missouri Western the win after coming back from a 3-2 deficit late in regulation. 2015 leading scorer Bridget Blessie knocked in a penalty kick with less than five minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game at three. The goal was much needed after two Harding goals in a three-minute span turned a 2-1 MWSU advantage into a 3-2 deficit.

The Griffons twice tied the game and twice regained the lead. After falling behind 1-0 following a Harding goal in the 10th minute, Sydney Cluck scored her first goal of 2016 off a rebound to tie the game at one. Missouri Western took its second lead of the game off a Maddy Cowell corner kick in the 48th minute to give the Griffons a 2-1 advantage. Harding answered with a goal in the 62nd minute and another in the 65th.

Both teams ended with 14 shots each, eight on goal. Lexie Martin had five saves in her first start in goal for the Griffons.

Missouri Western continues play in the crossover event, Sunday, when they take on host Ouchita Baptist at 1:30 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Cardinals lose opener at Cincinnati on walk-off single

Posted on September 3, 2016September 3, 2016

CINCINNATI (AP) — Eugenio Suarez had never ended a game with a hit. When his grounder made it through the infield, he raised both arms in celebration.

Suarez singled up the middle with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals were hoping to start a final-month surge toward the playoffs — they’re in position to get the NL’s second wild-card berth behind San Francisco. Instead, the Reds snapped a four-game losing streak.

Seung Hwan Oh (4-3) walked Zack Cozart on four pitches to open the ninth, and Brandon Phillips followed with a single. After Scott Schebler singled one out later to load the bases, Suarez got his first career game-ending hit.

“I knew this opportunity would come,” Suarez said. “I tried to make it game over. I was just trying to hit a ball up the middle. I got the opportunity and didn’t try to do too much. I hit it good.”

The Reds had loaded the bases in the seventh and eighth and failed to score. Raisel Iglesias (1-1) gave up a walk in the ninth.

“We kept getting in trouble,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “When you’re going to load the bases in the seventh, eighth and ninth of a tie game, it’s hard to get out of that.”

Yadier Molina and Randal Grichuk connected for an early lead off Anthony DeSclafani, who has been tough against St. Louis during his career. The right-hander is 3-1 in six starts against the Cardinals with a 2.25 ERA.

“I don’t think I threw the ball that good,” DeSclafani said. “I got away with a lot early. A lot of balls were hit at guys. It could’ve gotten ugly early.”

Molina led the Cardinals with a .347 batting average in August and had 32 hits, his most in any month since May 2015. He connected in the second inning for his sixth homer.

Grichuk led off the fifth inning with his 20th homer, extending his big week. He had a game-tying homer and a game-winning single earlier in the week.

The Reds tied it in the sixth against Alex Reyes, who made his second major league start. Cozart singled, ending his 0-for-17 skid. Phillips followed with a double that ricocheted off third base. Adam Duvall’s sacrifice fly and Schebler’s single made it 2-2.

DIFFERENT LOOK

The Reds wore their special camouflage jerseys as part of a night honoring the military.

ADAMS BACK

Matt Adams was activated off the disabled list. He’d been sidelined since Aug. 10 with inflammation in his right shoulder, missing 19 games. Adams pinch hit and grounded out in the seventh.

TAKE THREE

Billy Hamilton stole three bases — the first two off Reyes’ move to the plate — leaving him 23 for 25 career in steal attempts against Molina. It’s the most steals by any runner against the eight-time Gold Glove catcher. Hamilton leads the majors with 57 steals.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RH Mike Leake is expected to rejoin the team in Cincinnati and throw a bullpen session on Sunday. He’s been on the disabled list since Aug. 22 with the shingles.

Reds: Joey Votto was out of the lineup with a stiff neck. Ivan De Jesus Jr. started at first base.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: LH Jaime Garcia (10-10) has allowed at least five runs in three straight starts for the first time in his career.

Reds: RH Dan Straily (10-7) had a career-high six-game winning streak snapped Monday in a 9-2 loss at the Angels. He tied his career high by allowing seven runs and four homers.

— Associated Press —

Griffons roll to 44-21 win over Nebraska-Kearney in season opener

Posted on September 2, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – The newly renovated Spratt Memorial Stadium opened with a bang as the Missouri Western football team ran away with a 44-21 victory over Nebraska-Kearney Thursday night.

The Griffon defense forced three Nebraska-Kearney turnovers – two interceptions by Donte Watkins — and held the Lopers to just 20 yards rushing. Meanwhile, the Griffons ran wild for 329 yards, including a career-high 168 yards by Josh Caldwell, besting his previous high of 151 at Nebraska-Kearney last season. The sophomore carried the ball 23 times and had one touchdown carry. He was one of four Griffons with a rushing touchdown. Kendall Short , Derek Gray and backup quarterback Corey Bertini each had TD carries as well.

The Griffons lead was just 9-7 with 8:28 to go in the second quarter after Nebraska-Kearney scored on a 2-yard rush, but the Griffons scored the next 28 points, 14 more in the final three minutes of the second quarter to take a 23-7 lead to halftime. Six different Griffons scored touchdowns, the four rushing scores plus Patrick Bolton with a 16-yard catch from Skyler Windmiller and Dijuan Ussery with a 55-yard scamper through the Loper defense off a catch from Windmiller.

The junior quarterback was 11-20 for 160 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Bertini led the offense for one series in the second quarter. He was 1-1 for nine yards and rushed three times for 18 yards and a score. Bolton caught three passes for 36 yards and a score. Ussery caught two for 69 yards.

Watkins led the defense with 10 total tackles, seven solo, the two interceptions and a pass break up. Tyrell Robison had six tackles, one for loss. Brandin Dandridge had the other interception for the Griffon defense.

Next week, Missouri Western plays the only Saturday game in the MIAA with a trip to Missouri Southern. The Lions lost 22-10 at Fort Hays Thursday night. The Griffons have won their last three games in Joplin. Kickoff next Saturday is set for 6 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Chiefs defeat Green Bay in final preseason game

Posted on September 2, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Packers coach Mike McCarthy got everything he wanted out of the preseason.

Two series for Aaron Rodgers and a bunch of work for his backups.

That includes rookie Joe Callahan, who capped a strong preseason by throwing for 143 yards and a touchdown as the Packers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-7 in their preseason finale Thursday night.

“I thought it was a quality training camp. I thought like we accomplished a lot,” said McCarthy, who like Chiefs counterpart Andy Reid played almost entirely backups on Thursday night.

Callahan played almost the entire way in a game featuring second- and third-teamers on both sides. The product of Division III Wesley College has been trying to earn the No. 3 job behind Aaron Rodgers and Brett Hundley, who has been sidelined by an ankle injury this preseason.

“You try not to think about things too much,” Callahan said of making the team. “When it’s out of your hands it’s always hard. But I’ve been confident since I’ve been here.”

In fact, the only first-stringers to see much of the field were specialists.

They needed some practice, too.

After the Chiefs’ third straight three-and-out in the first quarter, Dustin Colquitt’s punt was blocked by Green Bay wide receiver Ty Montgomery. The Packers only needed two plays for Callahan to hit tight end Jared Cook for the game’s opening touchdown.

The game also featured the debut of Green Bay punter Jacob Schum, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay this week. Schum replaced veteran punter Tim Masthay in a surprising roster move.

“The coaches didn’t want to fill my head too much,” Schum said. “But we’re professionals and we’re kind of expected to know how to do things.”

Kansas City running back Knile Davis, who could be traded by the weekend, ran 15 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. The former third-round draft pick also caught a pass out of the backfield.

Darrin Reaves also had 63 yards rushing and a touchdown for Kansas City.

“I just wanted to have a clean game, you know? Do everything right,” Davis said. “I wanted to hit my holes, catch a couple of balls, and just fine tune.”

PED ISSUE IN PAST

The Packers’ Julius Peppers said after the game he was happy to be cleared by the NFL this week in a performance-enhancing drug probe. The league found there was no evidence Peppers, teammate Clay Matthews and Steelers linebacker James Harrison were provided with or used prohibited drugs, allegations that were raised in an Al Jazeera America documentary.

BERRY SITS OUT

As expected, Chiefs SS Eric Berry sat out the preseason finale. Berry signed his franchise tender last weekend and finally reported to training camp, but only practiced a couple of days. Reid said he expects Berry to be ready for the regular season.

ROOKIE WATCH

Packers: SS Marwin Evans had six tackles for Green Bay before getting shaken up on special teams. RB Brandon Burks had 31 yards rushing on 12 carries in the contest.

Chiefs: SS Eric Murray had a pair of tackles as he tries to win a backup job. WR Tyreek Hill was targeted four times without a reception, dropping one pass that would have been a first down.

POSITION BATTLES

Packers: The wide receiver depth after Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb remains in flux. Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Jared Abbrederis are in the mix. Abbrederis had two catches for 49 yards Thursday night, while Adams caught two passes for 20 yards.

Chiefs: LBs Ramik Wilson and Justin March are competing for Kansas City’s inside linebacker spot alongside Derrick Johnson following a season-ending injury to Josh Mauga. Wilson had a nice tackle for loss early in the game and appeared to have the inside track.

INJURY UPDATE

Packers: Rookie WR Trevor Davis left the game with a shoulder injury after making a nice catch along the sideline on the first series of the game. Geronimo Allison replaced him on the next possession.

Chiefs: The Chiefs rested RB Jamaal Charles and LB Tamba Hali, just as they did their first three preseason games. Both are coming off knee surgery but are expected to play in the season opener.

— Associated Press —

Missouri State crushes NAIA opponent Southwestern 57-0 in first game

Posted on September 2, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State christened the 2016 football season in grand fashion, dominating Southwestern College in all phases of the game in a 57-0 victory Thursday evening at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. Led by a career night from Colby Isbell, the Bears defense stifled the Moundbuilders’ attack to finish the first shutout of the Dave Steckel era.

Isbell matched a career high with 7.0 tackles, while recording 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in the opening half to help stake Missouri State (1-0) to a commanding lead, before the Bears offense put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Overall, the Bears held SC to 116 yards of total offense in 66 plays (1.76 yards per play), recorded 4.0 sacks and 11.0 total tackles for losses totaling 48 yards to help post MSU’s largest margin of victory in nearly a quarter century.

The MSU offense helped spur an early charge that saw the Bears take a 21-0 lead just 10 minutes into the contest and racked up 462 yards of total offense on the night. Sophomore quarterback Breck Ruddick completed 13-of-15 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 37 yards on just four carries.

Sophomore Nick Masoner led a potent MSU ground attack that piled up 321 rushing yards on 52 carries, finishing his night with a game and career-high 132 yards on 13 carries.

The runaway victory before a crowd of 8,827 represented the largest final margin in a Bears’ win since Sept. 21, 1991, when MSU routed Prairie View A&M by a 61-0 score at Plaster Stadium.

Deion Holliman, a preseason All-MVFC pick and the nation’s leading combined kick returner last fall, turned in a big night as well. The junior recorded 173 all-purpose yards, including 129 on his two kickoff returns, and hauled in the second touchdown reception of his Missouri State career. Holliman sparked the Bears’ early outburst by returning the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead, just 12 seconds into the new season. He would add to the MSU advantage on the Bears next possession by reaching high to grab a nine-yard scoring strike from Ruddick, who went 5-of-5 for 42 yards on the 73-yard drive.

MSU took advantage of a short field to add to its lead, as an 18-yard SC punt set up the Bears at the 28-yard line. Three plays later, Jason Randall bulled his way into the end zone for a seven-yard scoring run to stretch the margin to 21-0 with 5:00 to play in the opening quarter.

The Missouri State defense left an early impression on the Moundbuilders (0-1) as well, limiting the visitors to just 10 offensive yards in the opening period. After allowing 23 yards on Southwestern’s opening drive, the Bears put the clamps on the opposition, thanks in large part to a series of stops on key third down plays. Isbell came up with third-down sacks on back-to-back possessions, and recorded all 5.5 of his tackles for loss before the break, ultimately coming up just a half tackle short of Dylan Cole’s MSU single-game record.

MSU held the ‘Builders to just one first down in the period and did not allow a third or fourth down conversion until late in the second quarter.

Redshirt freshman kicker Zach Drake tacked on his fourth successful boot of the first half by drilling a 19-yard field goal that made it a 24-point MSU lead with 10:39 left on the clock. Ruddick, who completed 9-of-11 passes for 69 yards in the opening half, connected twice with freshman Aaron Denson for a total of 20 yards, as well as with Calan Crowder on an eight-yard play to set up the kick.

In all, the Bears allowed just 62 yards on the ‘Builders’ 38 first-half offensive plays.

Another strong start in the second half all but sealed the outcome, with the Bears out-scoring their guests by a 19-0 margin to top the 40-point mark for the first time in their last 26 games dating back to November 2013. Randall, who totaled 67 rushing yards on nine carries, spearheaded an eight-play, 87-yard drive that ended with his second TD run of the night after the sophomore turned in three different runs of 10 yards or more. Ruddick hit on all four of his pass attempts for 60 yards, including back-to-back completions of 23 and 19 yards to Erik Furmanek and Malik Earl, respectively.

The Bears’ defense once again stood tall, as McNeece Egbim picked off a Braden Langston pass and returned it for what appeared to be a 32-yard touchdown. An illegal block wiped out the score, but Phoenix Johnson negated the penalty on the initial play of the drive with a 21-yard scamper that gave the home club a 38-0 lead.

After stopping the ‘Builders deep in their own territory, an errant snap on a punt attempt sailed through the end zone for a safety. Holliman’s 38-yard return of the ensuing kickoff set up another MSU scoring chance, as Masoner and Johnson teamed up to total 39 rushing yards on six carries to set up a 24-yard Shelby Harris field goal.

MSU would tack on a one-yard Gerard Harker run in the fourth, before Robert Thomas intercepted a Ka’Darius Baker pass and returned it 23 yards for the game’s final tally.

Missouri State embarks on its first road swing of the season next Saturday (Sept. 10) when it takes on Murray State in a 6 p.m. non-conference contest at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Ky.

— MSU Athletics —

Royals blow 4-0 lead, lose to Yankees in 13 innings

Posted on September 1, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Brian McCann delivered a sacrifice fly in the 13th inning and Dellin Betances shut down the Kansas City Royals in the bottom half to give the New York Yankees a 5-4 victory Wednesday night.

Royals reliever Chris Young (3-9) gave up a single to Didi Gregorius and a double to Starlin Castro to lead off the decisive frame. Matt Strahm came in against McCann for a lefty-lefty matchup, and the New York designated hitter lofted a fly ball to left to score the go-ahead run.

Ben Heller (1-0) pitched a perfect 12th to earn his first major league win, while Betances wrapped up a winning series for the Yankees by working around a leadoff walk for his seventh save.

Castro hit a two-run homer for the Yankees. Kendrys Morales hit one for Kansas City.

The Royals appeared to have quickly erased the memories of their rain-delayed, 5-4 loss in 10 innings the previous night when Morales homered for the second straight game with two outs in the first.

Kansas City added another run off Luis Cessa in the second on an error by third baseman Chase Headley and a timely double by Alcides Escobar, then made it 4-0 when Eric Hosmer homered to left in the third.

Ian Kennedy was cruising along for Kansas City until the sixth, when Gregorius lofted a sacrifice fly to left field. Castro followed moments later with his two-run shot.

Kennedy’s night was done when he walked Aaron Hicks with one out in the sixth. Scott Alexander came in and gave up a single to Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury’s tying sacrifice fly to center.

Both teams had chances to push runs across before the 13th inning.

The Royals’ Raul Mondesi drew a leadoff walk in the seventh and Jarrod Dyson dropped a sacrifice bunt to get him to second base with only one out. But Mondesi got caught straying between second and third, and Cheslor Cuthbert promptly struck out to end the inning.

In the 11th, Salvador Perez walked and pinch-runner Billy Burns stole his way to third. He wound up stranded there when Paulo Orlando ripped a line drive right at Castro at second base.

The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the 12th, but Gary Sanchez lined out to Cuthbert at third base and Mark Teixeira chopped a grounder to shortstop to end that threat.

YANKEES DEAL

The Yankees sent OF Ben Gamel, the MVP of the International League, to Seattle for minor league RHPs Jio Orozco and Juan De Paula on Wednesday. They also sent cash to Milwaukee for speedy OF Eric Young Jr., who manager Joe Girardi said could join the club when rosters expand later this week.

ROYALS MOVES

RHP Chien-Ming Wang was placed on the DL with biceps tendinitis after tossing two scoreless innings on Tuesday night. The Royals shored up their taxed bullpen by recalling LHP Scott Alexander and RHP Brooks Pounders from Triple-A Omaha and optioning INF Christian Colon to the same club.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: Hicks left the game after grounding out in the ninth, limping his way to the dugout with a right hamstring strain. Aaron Judge replaced him in the lineup.

Royals: CF Lorenzo Cain (sprained wrist) got the night off. He’s been playing in pain for about two weeks. “It’s been pretty sore,” manager Ned Yost said. “It’s not a thing that’s going to heal in a week.”

UP NEXT

The Yankees take Thursday off before sending RHP Chad Green to the mound to start a three-game set in Baltimore on Friday night. LHP Danny Duffy gets the call for the Royals when Detroit visits Friday night to open their three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western hires Bierbaum as first Cross Country, Track & Field coach

Posted on August 31, 2016August 31, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University has selected its first-ever head coach for the coming men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.

Marc Bierbaum was selected from a pool of more than 100 candidates. Bierbaum was most recently an assistant women’s cross country and track coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Prior to UNO, Bierbaum served as the head men’s and women’s cross country coach and assistant track coach at his alma mater, Dana College.

“We’re very excited to have Marc lead our new programs,” Missouri Western director of athletics Kurt McGuffin said. “Marc’s enthusiasm really stood out and I think that will be a great attribute as he starts these programs.”

“He has a proven record of success at this level and knows the Midwest. We were really impressed by his knowledge of the area and the MIAA along with his strategies for building a program that Missouri Western can be proud of.”

At Nebraska Omaha, Bierbaum coached 36 all-conference performers and helped the Mavericks break 13 school records. At Dana, he coached a national champion in outdoor track and field; three national qualifiers in cross country; 17 national qualifiers in indoor track and field; 20 national qualifiers in outdoor track and field; two all-americans in indoor track and field; 43 all-conference selections; and saw eight school records fall.

“It’s a dream for me,” Bierbaum said. “Everyone that was involved in the process, everyone I’ve met, the campus, it’s all amazing. I can’t think of a better place to start a program.”

“I’m very excited to get going. This is a unique opportunity for myself and the student-athletes that will get to be a part of the first-ever program here at Missouri Western. This campus has everything we need to be successful. The campus and the people here feel like family already.”

The 2001 Dana College graduate was a two-time national qualifier as a marathoner for the Dana track team and a 1999 national qualifier in cross country. He also has experience coaching at the high school level in the Omaha, Nebraska area and has taught elementary art in Omaha as well.

“I really want to thank everyone at Missouri Western,” Bierbaum said. “Everyone has been very welcoming already. I had a great experience meeting with Dr. Vartabedian and everyone in the athletic department. I can’t wait to join the Missouri Western family.”

Bierbaum will begin his duties in the coming weeks. A search for a full-time assistant coach will begin soon after. The six new teams to Griffon Athletics will begin competition in the fall of 2017.

— MWSU Athletics —

St. Louis drops series finale at Milwaukee 3-1

Posted on August 31, 2016

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kirk Nieuwenhuis homered and Matt Garza pitched into the eighth inning, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night, ending a six-game losing streak.

Nieuwenhuis belted a three-run homer off Luke Weaver (1-2) in the third inning.

Garza (5-6) turned in his longest outing of the season, giving up one run and three hits in seven-plus innings while walking two and striking out eight.

Garza allowed the first two batters in the eighth to reach base before being replaced by Carlos Torres, who pitched out of the jam but not before loading the bases with two outs.

Yadier Molina hit a solo home run in the fourth for the Cardinals giving them a homer in a franchise-record 20 consecutive games.

Weaver, making his fourth major league start, gave up three runs and four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out 10, including four straight at one point.

The Brewers loaded the bases with one out in the sixth but failed to score off Weaver, who struck out Keon Broxton looking to end the inning.

Tyler Thornburg notched his sixth save in 10 chances.

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

The Brewers traded OF Eric Young Jr., who has spent the entire season at Triple-A Colorado Springs, to the New York Yankees, for cash considerations.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: 1B Matt Adams, on the DL with left shoulder inflammation, could soon return to the lineup. Adams is “getting healthy and getting close,” manager Mike Matheny said.

Brewers: Manager Craig Counsell said OF Domingo Santana is healthy despite being out of the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. Santana missed games in May with a sore shoulder. An ailing right elbow kept him out of the lineup from the first week of June until earlier this month.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Alex Reyes (1-0, 0.64 ERA) will make his second major league start when St. Louis starts a three-game series at Cincinnati on Friday. He had a no-decision in his first start on Saturday against Oakland, allowing one run and two hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Brewers: Junior Guerra (7-3, 2.93) will return to the rotation when Milwaukee opens a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Friday. Guerra had been on the DL with right elbow inflammation. He is 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Pirates.

— Associated Press —