Dave Riggert – Page 460 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Griffons move up to No. 15 in latest NFCA Division II softball top 25 poll

Posted on April 13, 2016April 13, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – Win eight games in a row, take a two-game lead atop the conference standings, move up three spots in the national poll. That’s been the chain of events for the Missouri Western softball team over the last week.

The Griffons (34-10, 19-3) moved up to No. 15 in the latest NFCA Division II Coaches poll after extending their winning streak to eight games over the weekend. The eighth win in that streak completed a doubleheader sweep of Pittsburg State and gave Missouri Western a two-game lead over the Gorillas and Northwest Missouri State for first place in the MIAA. It was the fourth straight MIAA doubleheader sweep for the team that has won 12 of its last 14 games, and is 24-4 since Mar. 4.

Missouri Western will take a break from MIAA play this week, even with a doubleheader against conference rival, and current second place, Northwest Missouri State. Thursday’s home doubleheader with the Bearcats will not count as conference games. It’s also the Griffons’ final home regular season games this year. Jen Trotter’s team wraps up the regular season with games at Washburn (April 22) and Emporia State (April 23).

Click here to view entire poll.

— MWSU Athletics —

Cain’s early homer powers Royals over Astros 3-2

Posted on April 12, 2016

HOUSTON (AP) — Lorenzo Cain hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and the Kansas City Royals held on for a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas hit consecutive singles to start the game before Cain connected on a full-count, 91-mph fastball off Mike Fiers (0-1) to make it 3-0.

The Astros got within 1 in the bottom of the inning after an RBI double by Colby Rasmus followed by a run-scoring single by Tyler White.

Kris Medlen (1-0) allowed six hits and two runs with seven strikeouts in five innings in his 2016 debut. Wade Davis walked two players with one out in the ninth before retiring Jose Altuve and George Springer for his third save.

Fiers settled down after his tough first inning, allowing just three more hits and no runs in the next five innings before he was replaced by Will Harris for the seventh. But the early hole was too much to overcome on a night when the Astros went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

Kansas City’s bullpen was solid after Medlen’s exit, with Luke Hochevar and Kelvin Herrera striking out two each in perfect innings before Joakim Soria took over in the eighth. He allowed one hit and walked one before he was relieved by Davis.

Houston designated hitter Evan Gattis went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in his first game of the season after starting the year on the disabled list after February surgery to repair a sports hernia.

CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD

The Royals announced on Tuesday that they received permission from Major League baseball to continue to wear the gold accented jerseys and hats that they wore for the first two games of this season during each Friday home game this season. The uniforms, which include hats that have the 2015 World Series Champions logo on the side, are a tribute to their championship season.

Their next Friday home game is April 22 against the Orioles.

PRESIDENTIAL PITCH

Former President George H.W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday’s game. The 91-year-old was pushed onto the field in a wheelchair and tossed the ball left-handed to Monday’s starter Collin McHugh from about five feet in front of the plate. After McHugh grabbed the pitch, which was just a bit outside, Bush raised both of his fists in the air and smiled.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Jarrod Dyson (right oblique strain) went 2 for 5 in his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday. Manager Ned Yost said there wasn’t a timetable for his return yet.

Astros: Right-hander Lance McCullers (right shoulder soreness) will make his second rehabilitation start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Royals: Yordano Ventura (0-0, 3.60) will make his second start of the season on Wednesday. Ventura didn’t factor into the decision in his first start after allowing two hits and two runs and tying a career high with six walks in a 4-3 win over the Twins.

Astros: Scott Feldman (0-1, 9.00) will pitch for Houston on Wednesday. It will be his second start this season after he allowed five hits and four runs in four innings of a 6-4 loss to Milwaukee.

— Associated Press —

Tigers get blown out at No. 16 Missouri State 16-1

Posted on April 12, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball dropped the first of its annual two-game, midweek series at No.16 Missouri State, 16-1, on Tuesday night (April 12) at Hammons Field. MSU tallied two runs in the second inning off of Mizzou starter Ryan Lee (Grandview, Mo.) and three more in the fourth without a hit to open a 5-0 lead and never looked back. The two teams will meet again at Taylor Stadium in Columbia on April 26 at 6 p.m.

Mizzou falls to 20-15 on the year while MSU improves to 26-6. Lee was charged with the loss, dropping him to 2-2 on the season while MSU’s Austin Knight earned the win, improving to 3-0 on the year. Mizzou was led at the plate by senior 1B Zach Lavy (Auxvasse, Mo.) who tallied his SEC-leading 21st extra-base hit with his team-leading 12th double of the season. He had a pair of hits as did junior SS Ryan Howard (St. Charles, Mo.).

After a solid first inning, Lee ran into trouble in the second. He issued a leadoff walk followed by a double and single as MSU jumped on top, 2-0, without Mizzou recording an out. MSU could have added more runs, but Mizzou played tremendous defense, including a nice play at first by Zach Lavy (Auxvasse, Mo.) and a diving catch in left from Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.). Those two plays likely saved three runs.

MSU struck again in the fourth as Mizzou reliever Ty Shoaff (Akron, Ohio) loaded the bases on a hit batter, a walk and an error as he tried to field a sacrifice bunt. He then hit a batter to drive in MSU’s third run. The Bears tacked on two more runs on a sacrifice fly and a throwing error by Shane Benes (Town & Country, Mo.).

Mizzou got a hit to lead off the fifth inning from freshman OF Connor Brumfield (Columbia, Mo.) but he was caught stealing and Mizzou went quietly again. The Bears then tacked on three more runs in the bottom part of the fifth and eight more in the eighth inning. Mizzou’s lone run was driven in by Jack Klages (St. Louis, Mo.) on an RBI single in the top of the ninth inning.

Mizzou will be back in action this weekend, hosting No. 9 LSU in a three-game series at Taylor Stadium beginning Friday at 6 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Griffons’ Glaude earns weekly MIAA baseball honor

Posted on April 12, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – An unbelievable offensive weekend by the Missouri Western baseball team has garnered individual honors for one Griffon.

David Glaude became the first Griffon to be named MIAA Hitter of the Week. Glaude batted .571, slugged 1.500 and reached base at a .714 clip. The senior infielder was 8-14 at the plate with a team-high nine runs scored and 10 RBIs. He hit three of the team’s 14 home runs on the weekend and added two doubles and a triple. In the field, Glaude committed just one error in four starts while recording seven putouts and 13 assists.

The Griffons went 3-1, sweeping a three-game series at Central Oklahoma that saw the team score 54 runs and hit 13 home runs. Glaude was one of three Griffons to bat over .500 last week (Kody Matthews-.533; Brandon Donws-.500). Two others were under .500, but over .430 (Landon Mason-.467; Jeremy Alvarado-.438).

It’s the second week in a row a Griffon has taken an MIAA weekly honor. Richard Peoples was named MIAA Co-Pitcher of the week last week. Missouri Western travels to Northwest Missouri State for a single game, Wednesday at 2 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest’s Baldwin named MIAA Pitcher of the Week

Posted on April 12, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State softball pitcher Sarah Baldwin has been named MIAA/AstroTurf Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season, as announced by the league office Tuesday. Baldwin previously earned the recognition on March 1. This is the fourth time a Bearcat pitcher has been given the honor, tied with Pittsburg State for the most this season. Fellow senior Kendle Schieber has also garnered two weekly awards.

Baldwin tossed a pair of complete game shutouts over the weekend, extending her current scoreless innings streak to 22. The senior struck out 13 batters across 12 innings of work, surrendering just nine hits. The Chillicothe, Mo. native held then league-leading Pittsburg State scoreless in a 3-0 victory Friday before limiting Missouri Southern to two hits in Saturday’s 8-0 triumph on Senior Day. For the season, Baldwin ranks in the top five in the MIAA in ERA, opponent’s batting average, hits allowed and walks.

The Bearcats will return to the diamond Thursday, April 14 when they travel to St. Joseph, Mo. for a non-conference doubleheader with Missouri Western. First pitch from the Spring Sports Complex is set for 4 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

Western women’s golf team finishes 8th at Central Region Spring Preview

Posted on April 12, 2016April 12, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri Western Women’s Golf claimed eighth place at the Central Region Spring Preview, scoring a 656 over the two day event. The event was played at Rivercut Golf Course which plays a par 72 – 6167 yard course.

All five Griffons improved their scores by at least three strokes from the first round of the tournament. Freshman Shi Qing Ong now has six top-10 finishes this year, finishing in seventh place individually at the Central Region Preview. She finished with a 154 in the tournament. Celine Lim scored a 165, placing her tied for 38th in the standings. Callie Wilson finished the tournament with a 167 in the two rounds of golf, sitting tied for 46th.

The Griffons made the biggest jump, improving three spots in the standings after day two. MWSU finished two strokes behind Concordia St. Paul for seventh place.

Augustana University held the top spot, tallying a team score of 618. They finished one stroke ahead of Northeastern State for the first place in the tournament.

The MIAA championships will be played next weekend in Lawrence, Kansas at the Alvamar Golf Course.

— MWSU Athletics —

Kansas City drops series opener at Houston 8-2

Posted on April 11, 2016

HOUSTON (AP) — Collin McHugh bounced back from the shortest start of his career by pitching seven scoreless innings and Colby Rasmus hit a two-run homer as the Houston Astros won their home opener over the Kansas City Royals, 8-2, on Monday night.

Carlos Correa had three hits and two RBI for Houston, Jose Altuve had three hits and rookie Tyler White, who was named the American League player of the week earlier in the day, added a pair of hits for his fourth multi-hit game this year.

McHugh (1-1) allowed eight hits and struck out four in his first start since he allowed six runs and walked two in 1/3 inning of a 16-6 loss to the New York Yankees.

Chris Young (0-2) allowed nine hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Astros jumped on him early and were up by 1 in the first after an RBI double by Correa when Rasmus launched a towering shot to the second deck in right field to make it 3-0.

Luis Valbuena had an RBI double, Jason Castro drove in a run with a triple and Altuve had a run-scoring single in the fourth to push the lead to 6-0.

The Royals had trouble stringing hits together against McHugh. He got into a bit of a jam in the fifth inning with runners at first and second with one out. But Mike Moustakas grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Royals loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but McHugh retired Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain to end the threat.

They avoided a shutout when Kendrys Morales connected off Tony Sipp for a two-run homer to left field in the eighth inning.

Eric Hosmer added three hits for the Royals, whose three-game winning streak was snapped.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Jarrod Dyson (right oblique strain) will continue his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday after taking a day off on Monday.

Astros: Right-hander Lance McCullers (right shoulder soreness) allowed three hits and one run with four strikeouts in three innings in his first rehabilitation start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Monday night. … DH Evan Gattis (sports hernia surgery) went 1 for 3 with a home run in his fourth rehabilitation game with Corpus Christi.

GIFTS GALORE

Astros owner Jim Crane honored Correa for winning rookie of the year and Dallas Keuchel for his Cy Young Award by giving both of the players black Chevy Silverado pickup trucks. The players were welcomed onto the field as the shiny, new trucks were driven onto the warning track and close to the players. They were also each given paintings that depicted several different images of each player. After they received their gifts, Astros greats Jeff Bagwell and Roger Clemens came onto the field to congratulate Correa and Keuchel and throw out the ceremonial first pitches to them.

WHAT AN ENTRANCE

Houston backup catcher Erik Kratz didn’t make the most graceful entrance when the team was introduced before the game. Kratz tripped on the orange carpet the Astros laid out for the pregame festivities and did a belly flop onto the ground. As soon as he got up several Royals, who were standing on the field after being introduced, laughed and pointed at him. When they were sure he was looking, about five of them tipped their caps to their former teammate, who spent parts of the last two seasons in Kansas City.

UP NEXT

Royals: Kris Medlen makes his first start of 2016 on Tuesday. Medlen went 6-2 with a 4.01 ERA last season after returning from Tommy John surgery following the All-Star break.

Astros: Mike Fiers (0-0, 9.00) takes the mound on Tuesday. Fiers, who threw a no-hitter last season, had a tough time in his 2016 debut, allowing five runs and nine hits in five innings.

— Associated Press —

Mizzou’s Houck named SEC Pitcher of the Week

Posted on April 11, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball sophomore RHP Tanner Houck (Collinsville, Ill.) has been named SEC Pitcher of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday (April 11). This is the second SEC Pitcher of the Week honor for Houck this season and the third of his career. The honor comes on the heels of a dominating performance against the SEC’s top offense Auburn. Houck tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits in a 2-0 Mizzou win on Friday night. It was his second complete game shutout this season.

Houck was absolutely dominant on one day short rest as two of the four hits he allowed were infield hits and only one runner advanced into scoring position through the 9.0 shutout innings as Houck needed just 105 pitches to get the complete game shutout. His 10 strikeouts were the second-most of his career and he also induced 14 ground balls to go along with his 10 strikeouts and just four balls all day were hit out of the infield against Houck. Four of the groundouts were 1-3 putouts on slow dribblers hit back to him as Auburn struggled to square up Houck all day. In the ninth inning, Houck retired the side on just five pitches, displaying his dominance throughout the game.

Houck faced just four batters over the minimum in his start and earned an 88 game score, his second-best of the season. As of Sunday, only four pitchers in the nation had posted a better game score than Houck and only one of those games came against a team from a power conference while Houck’s came against the SEC’s top offense. The next-best game score by an SEC pitcher through Saturday was Mississippi’s Brady Bramlett, who tallied an 82 against Arkansas.

Batters are now hitting just .176 against Houck in SEC play and he has 30 Ks in 30.0 IP with just eight walks while pitching against elite offenses like Florida, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Arkansas. It was the first time Auburn has been shutout in SEC play since May of 2014.

Houck and the Tigers head to Missouri State on Tuesday (April 12) for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch at Hammons Field.

— Northwest Athletics —

Cardinals beat up on Brewers in home opener at Busch

Posted on April 11, 2016April 11, 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jeremy Hazelbaker was starting to wonder whether he ever would get a shot in the major leagues.

Suddenly, the 28-year-old rookie is the St. Louis Cardinals’ hottest hitter and a fixture in Mike Matheny’s lineup. Batting .526 has that kind of an effect.

“I like watching him,” the manager said Monday after Hazelbaker went 4 for 4 with a triple, double and sacrifice fly in the Cardinals’ home opener, a 10-1 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers. “So there’s a good chance you’re going to see him in there.”

Hazelbaker made his first opening-day roster after shortstop Ruben Tejada injured a quadriceps in late March. Like fellow rookie Almedys Diaz, who was recalled after Tommy Pham injured his left oblique in the opener and has impressed at shortstop and at the plate, the outfielder has been a difference-maker.

“It was definitely a good day, a good one for my parents to see,” said Hazelbaker, who signed as a minor league free agent last season after being released by the Dodgers. “I knew I could do it, it was just about getting a chance.”

Diaz is batting .533 after becoming the first Cardinals rookie with a two-double performance among his first five games.

Backed by a lineup that had 10 extra-base hits, Michael Wacha had a nine-run cushion in the third and allowed four hits in six scoreless innings.

“I was able to locate the fastball down in the zone on both sides of the plate,” Wacha said. “I made too many mistakes last week and I was trying to stay under control.”

Yadier Molina had three hits, two RBI and an uncontested steal off starter Taylor Jungmann (0-1) in second. Randal Grichuk drove in his first run of the season with a double.

“They hit fastballs, they hit breaking balls, they hit inside fastballs, they hit outside fastballs,” Jungmann said. “It wasn’t just one pitch they were going after.”

Manager Craig Counsell said he didn’t think the opening day ceremonies affected Jungmann, noting, “He didn’t ride a Clydesdale or anything.”

Hall of Famer Lou Brock threw a strike to former teammate Ted Simmons on the ceremonial first pitch from halfway between the mound and the plate. The former base-stealing champ’s left leg was amputated below the knee in October, and he wears a prostheses, but walked without a noticeable limp.

“What a great story that is,” Matheny said.

Matt Carpenter added two hits and two RBI for the Cardinals, who have scored 10 or more runs in three straight games for the first time since 1980 and have won four in a row overall. They set a franchise record with 19 hits in the opener, one more than against the Pirates on April 5, 1974.

Chris Carter hit his third homer and Ryan Braun had two hits for Milwaukee, which has lost two of three.

Wacha (1-0) struck out seven and walked one, and gave up just four singles. In his first start of the year, he allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings at Pittsburgh.

BIG APRIL

Wacha is 7-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 12 career April starts, his most victories of any month. He’s 3-0 against the Brewers.

TOUGH MATCHUP

Jungmann faced 15 hitters and gave up eight runs and eight hits, seven for extra bases, in two-plus innings. The right-hander is 0-2 against St. Louis, allowing 14 runs and 14 hits in seven innings.

NICE GLOVE

Hazelbaker made a diving catch in the left-center gap to rob Carter of extra bases in the second.

BIG HOUSE

Attendance of 47,608 in 57-degree weather trails only a crowd of 47,875 for opening day last season at 11-year-old Busch Stadium.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: SS Jhonny Peralta (left thumb) has improved and is wearing a splint instead of a cast, and has been rehabbing in St. Louis. He’s still likely out a few more months.

UP NEXT

Both teams have a day off Tuesday. On Wednesday night, Mike Leake (0-1, 8.31) opposes Chase Anderson (1-0, 0.00). Leake didn’t get out of the fifth his first start with St. Louis and Anderson worked five scoreless innings in his first start with Milwaukee.

— Associated Press —

Northwest’s Boissinot earns weekly MIAA tennis honor

Posted on April 11, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University junior Romain Boissinot was named the MIAA’s Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week on Monday in a release from the conference office. This is the second time this year that Boissinot has collected the conference’s weekly honor, winning back on March 7.

For the week, Boissinot went 2-0 at No. 1 singles and 2-0 at No. 2 doubles in team victories over No. 26 Ouachita Baptist and No. 11 Midwestern State. Against Ouachita Baptist, he knocked off the nation’s No. 47 ranked player and on Saturday, he beat the nation’s No. 44 ranked player from Midwestern State. Both of those matches were won in three sets. He teamed with Aymeric Autones to pick up doubles wins at the No. 2 position.

The Northwest men are 15-2 on the year and are 3-0 in MIAA play. The Bearcats will head to Bolivar, Mo., on Saturday, April 16, to face Southwest Baptist at 10 a.m. SBU is currently 9-5 overall and 2-0 in MIAA action.

— Northwest Athletics —