Dave Riggert – Page 636 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Eibner hits 2 HRs as Royals rally and tie Dodgers

Posted on April 2, 2015

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw and Yorduna Ventura each had their final outing in preparation for opening day, and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals tied 4-4 Wednesday.

Kershaw, the 2014 National League MVP and Cy Young Award winner, threw 45 pitches while facing 11 batters and gave up one hit and an unearned run. He’ll next face the San Diego Padres on April 6.

“I was still a little bit all over the place,” Kershaw said. “I walked two guys in three innings. We don’t want to do that. And then had a couple of hard hit balls right at guys. Definitely, room for improvement, but physically I feel good and ready to go. That’s all you can ask for at this point.”

Kershaw had a 1.61 ERA this spring. He gave up just 15 hits and struck out 22 in 22 1/3 innings this spring.

Brett Eibner homered twice for the Royals, including a two-run shot in the ninth to tie it. Eibner tops the club with five home runs, but will begin the season in the minors.

Ventura, who threw seven no-hit innings against Seattle in his previous start, yielded two runs, one earned, and four hits in four innings.

Darwin Barney doubled and tripled for the Dodgers and scored on A.J. Ellis’ third inning double.

The Dodgers played seven ties, a club spring training record.

STARTING TIME

Dodgers: Kershaw will be making his fourth consecutive opening-day start. “Clayton looked like a guy who was gearing up for opening day,” catcher A.J. Ellis said. “It’s always a challenge with him, pitching when he knows he has an expiration date on his game. There’s really no reward at the end for him as far as wins and losses. You saw last year the way his spring regressed and then how he turned the corner on opening day. It’s something about the adrenaline and the competition rush that takes him to another level. He’s gotten to the point in his career, especially who he is and the stature that he has that spring training is probably not his favorite time of the year.”

Royals: Ventura, who will start the Royals’ opener Monday against the Chicago White Sox, threw 41 strikes in 61 pitches.

GREINKE’S MINOR WORK

RHP Zack Greinke threw 85 pitches and seven innings in a minor league intrasquad game. He allowed two runs, both on homers, and five hits, while striking out nine.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: OF Andre Ethier was struck in the right elbow by White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon Tuesday. X-rays were negative.

Royals: RHP Luke Hochevar, who had reconstructive elbow surgery during last spring, will begin the season on the disabled list. He will likely be ready by early May. He pitched a flawless inning Wednesday.

HIGHLAND PARK DAY

Kershaw and Royals RHP Chris Young, who gave up a home run to minor leaguer Travis Witherspoon in the seventh, are graduates of Dallas Highland Park High.

UP NEXT

Dodgers: A host of relievers will pitch against the Angels Thursday in Anaheim.

Royals: The Royals, who are off Thursday, will start RHP Edinson Volquez Friday against the Astros at Houston.

— Associated Press —

Martinez pitches 6 scoreless innings as Cards beat Mets 5-4

Posted on April 2, 2015

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Carlos Martinez pitched six scoreless innings and Jhonny Peralta drove in two runs as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Mets 5-2 Wednesday.

Martinez, the Cardinals’ fifth starter, scattered three hits, struck out five and walked one.

“I worked better today and I felt better than any other start,” Martinez said through a translator. “My changeup was my best pitch, I feel, and my slider was my best pitch after my changeup.”

Mets opening-day starter Bartolo Colon allowed three runs and six hits in five innings, struck out two and walked one.

Peralta had an RBI double in the first inning and added a RBI single off Colon in the sixth. Kolton Wong and Mike Adams each had two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals.

“I’ve felt pretty good this spring,” Peralta said. “I’ve been working really hard and I feel I’m ready to go. Bartolo’s a good pitcher, but the whole of spring training I’ve been feeling good at the plate. I’m ready.”

Matt Reynolds had three RBIs for the Mets, including a two-run double in the eighth.

STARTING TIME

Mets: Colon allowed one run through the first five innings, but allowed three consecutive singles starting the sixth and was pulled after the third, a run-scoring hit by Peralta. Colon threw 85 pitches.

Cardinals: Manager Mike Matheny would like to see Martinez find a better emotional balance on the mound.

“You watch the best in our game right now, they look the exact same all the time,” Matheny said. “It’s hard for a starting pitching to get to that minus experience and that’s what Carlos is going to have to start — just being real aware. … A big part of consistency is how you hold yourself on that mound.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy (hamstring) played five innings in a minor league game Wednesday, and manager Terry Collins was hopeful Murphy would be ready for Monday’s opener at Washington.

“We have to keep an open mind,” Collins said. “Dan looked tremendous. He looked great at the plate. It’s the daily grind of stuff. We certainly have to monitor his workload, but we’re hoping the next couple days he gets a little extra work in and we look up this weekend and he joins us.”

Murphy will remain in Port St. Lucie for the rest of the week and continue to play in minor league games.

Mets reliever Vic Black (shoulder) faced three hitters in a minor league game. He is scheduled to pitch again Saturday.

Jaime Garcia (shoulder) will start the season on the disabled list and remain at their spring training facility Jupiter after the team leaves Florida on Thursday. Matheny said Garcia had range of motion and strength tests on his surgically repaired shoulder Tuesday.

CARDINALS ANNOUNCE ROTATION

Lance Lynn will start the Cardinals home opener April 13 against Milwaukee, Matheny announced Wednesday. St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright will start the season opener and be followed in the rotation by Lynn, John Lackey, Michael Wacha and Martinez.

UP NEXT

The Mets and Cardinals wrap up Grapefruit League play Thursday in Jupiter. Right-hander Matt Harvey starts for the Mets and Lance Lynn for the Cardinals.

— Associated Press —

MIAA announces 2015 Hall of Fame class

Posted on April 1, 2015

Kansas City, Mo. — Ten Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association legends have been elected to the MIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2015, the conference office announced today. It was also announced that the 2011 Pittsburg State National Champion Football Team will be inducted as the first member of the 2016 class during the 2016 MIAA Basketball Tournament.

This year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on June 3, 2015 at the
Kansas City Public Library – Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street in Kansas City, Mo. The event will be held in the Truman Forum Auditorium. Reservations for the event are available by visiting www.themiaa.com/sb_output.aspx?form=4 and filling out the form. Reservations will be given out on a first come, first served basis.

Below are the bios for the 2015 Hall of Fame class.

Kim Anderson, Basketball Coach
Central Missouri, 2002-14
In 12 seasons at UCM, Anderson compiled a 274-95 (.743) record and became the winningest coach in Mules basketball history. He led the Mules to six MIAA Regular Season Championships, including each of his final three seasons, four MIAA Tournament titles and the 2014 National Championship.

Kristin (Anderson) Swisher, Track and Field Athlete
Central Missouri, 2001-06
Swisher was a two-time National Champion winning the 2005 steeplechase and the 2006 indoor 5,000 meters. She was a six-time All-American and 25-time All-MIAA performer. She was the 2006 MIAA Ken B. Jones Award winner as the conference’s top female student-athlete and the Division II Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Leslie (Dudley) Morrow, Women’s Basketball Athlete
Pittsburg State, 1997-2000
Morrow earned NCAA Division II All-America honors in each of the final three seasons of her decorated career. Morrow set the school’s all-time scoring record with 2,046 points. She was the 2000 MIAA Ken B. Jones Award Winner.

Kathy (Kearns) Behounek, Cross Country/Track and Field Athlete
Northwest Missouri, 1996-97
Behounek was a two-time All-America cross country performer in both 1996 and 1997. She won the 1996 MIAA Championship in cross country and was a six-time conference champion in track and field. In 1998, she was the State of Missouri NCAA Woman of the Year.

Tony Miles, Football Athlete
Northwest Missouri, 1997-2000
A two-time All-America wide receiver/kick returner and three-time First-Team All-MIAA pick, Miles was a key figure in the Bearcats back-to-back National Championships in 1998 and 1999.

Darla (Curp) Moberly, Cross Country and Track and Field Athlete
Central Missouri, 1982-86
Moberly was an eight-time All-American in track and cross country and won the first national title in Jennies’ track & field history when she won the outdoor 3,000 meters in 1986. She still holds the Walton Stadium records for the outdoor 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs.

Danny Powers, Baseball Athlete
Central Missouri, 2003-05
Powers was the 2005 National, Regional and MIAA Pitcher of the Year. A two-time All-MIAA selection, he was also named to the Central Region All-Tournament team three times, including MVP of the regional as a senior.

Clint Prange, Track and Field Athlete
Northwest Missouri, 2002-06
Prange was a six time All-American at the national track and field meet. He was a three-time discus national champion and won the outdoor shot put title in 2005. During the 2005 shot put, Prange recorded a throw measuring 66-feet, 1-inch – a mark that still stands as an NCAA Division II national record. Prange was honored by the MIAA as the recipient of the 2005 Ken B. Jones Award.

Tom Rutledge, Men’s Track and Field & Cross Country Coach
Missouri Southern, 1988-2013
In 24 years at MSSU, Tom Rutledge led the Lions to eight MIAA cross country championships and two MIAA Indoor Track & Field championships He led his men’s cross country team to a sixth place national finish in 2000, seventh place in 2002 and an eighth place finish in 2013.

Brian Shay, Football Athlete
Emporia State, 1995-99
A three-time All-American and the 1998 Harlon Hill Trophy winner as the top player in Division II, Shay ended his career as the all-time leading rusher in all levels of collegiate football. He gained a then record 6,958 yards in just 44 games and had 9,301 all-purpose yards. He set 17 NCAA Division II records and five all-division records during his ESU career.

— MIAA Press Release

Kansas freshman Kelly Oubre declares for NBA Draft

Posted on April 1, 2015

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas freshman guard Kelly Oubre, Jr., will declare for the 2015 NBA Draft, the 6-7 guard announced Wednesday. In lieu of a press conference, Oubre chose to keep his decision between himself, his dad (Kelly Oubre, Sr.) and head coach Bill Self before making his announcement public.

“I’m leaving the University of Kansas for the upcoming NBA Draft,” Oubre said. “It’s always been a dream to play in the NBA. This is an opportunity to play against the best in the world and expand my game in hopes of someday becoming one of those great players. It’s been a great year. I’ve been blessed to be here at the University of Kansas. I was blessed to go through the things that I went through and I was blessed to play for coach (Bill Self). He taught me a lot this year, the little things that will help out my game a lot.”

An All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, Oubre averaged 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Jayhawks in 2014-15. A member of the 2015 Big 12 All-Newcomer Team, the New Orleans native with a 71-inch wingspan, was second on the KU squad with 41 steals and led the Jayhawks in steals 11 times during the season.

“I talked with guys who have been in this situation before me and they told me different things,” Oubre said. “JoJo (Joel Embiid) said he knows what I am going through and he told me his process and some of the things he went through. It’s definitely been a hard and tough decision and I’ve come to this conclusion.”

Oubre started 27 games for KU including the last 26 contests, missing only Senior Night as Jayhawk senior Christian Garrett replaced him against West Virginia (3/3).

“This should come as really no surprise to anybody that has followed us,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “Kelly came in being well thought of by NBA personnel and certainly, nothing has changed in that regard. In the time he was here he’s been a great ambassador, a great teammate and, obviously, a very talented player.”

Named one of 10 finalists for the USBWA Wayman Tisdale Award honoring the top freshman in the country, Oubre was a two-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week in 2014-15. He recorded three games of 20 or more points, including a career-high 25 points against TCU in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championship, March 12, at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He also recorded three double-doubleson the season.

“Kelly is an excellent student and going to fulfill his academic obligations this semester at KU,” Self said. “At some point and time I am convinced that he will complete his degree because education is important to him and his family.”

Kansas posted a 27-9 overall record in 2014-15 and won its 11th-straight, 15th Big 12 and NCAA-leading 58th overall conference regular-season championship with a 13-5 league record. The Jayhawks had the toughest schedule in the nation and its 10 victories against Associated Press nationally-ranked teams at tip were the most for KU in a season. Kansas faced 16 ranked teams at tip which were four more than the previous high for a season set three times (1994-95, 2002-03 and 2011-12). Included were 2015 Final Four teams Kentucky and Michigan State.

“The University of Kansas has always been behind me,” Oubre said. “This has been a great experience. It has felt like home since the first time I took my official visit. I wouldn’t trade this situation and this time for anything in the world. I feel like I will always have a home I can come back to and I will always have people I can lean on.”

“Getting my degree from Kansas will be the biggest accomplishment of my life, bigger than making it to the NBA,” Oubre said. “Having that degree is something you can look back on and say ‘I worked hard’ to earn that.”

“I’ll miss the different personalities in the locker room,” Oubre said. “We all gelled from the first time we were together. I’ll miss the coaches pushing us every day to be the best players we can be. Every time coach Self says something, it’s definitely something you need to work on. He’s seen it. He’s seen it before, multiple, multiple times.”

“On the surface this presents a void on our perimeter from last year but this is something we have known could happen for several months and we are prepared for it,” Self said. “I’m real excited about our players returning.”

— KU Sports Information —

Griffons split with Northwest Missouri State; win streak ends at 16

Posted on March 31, 2015March 31, 2015

MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri Western softball team saw its 16-game win streak snapped Tuesday but got out of Maryville with a split against Northwest Missouri State. The Griffons lost game one 9-6 but bounced back to win the second game 2-0.

GAME 1: Northwest Missouri State 9, MWSU 6

An impressive comeback effort came up short as Northwest Missouri scored three in the bottom of the sixth to snap the Griffons’ 16-game win streak with a 9-6 win in game one.

Trailing 6-1 after three innings, MWSU scored three in the fifth and to in the sixth to tie the game at six apiece. A leadoff single, a walk and some defensive miscues led to three Northwest Missouri State runs in the bottom of the sixth that propelled the Bearcats to the win.

Missouri Western pulled within three in the fifth on a wild pitch that allowed Tiffany Gillaspy to score and a Paige Shifflett that drove Sydney Washingon home. The Griffons added one more in the inning when Shelbie Atwell grounded into a fielder’s choice. On the play, the Northwest shortstop was charged with obstruction, allowing Shifflett to score as the Bearcats ran for the dugout thinking the third out had been recorded. Gillaspy pushed the team’s fifth run across in the sixth on an error by the shortstop and Shifflett tied it with a two-out double off the left field wall.

Taylor Schaben picked up her first loss of the season, relieving starter Janie Smith. Schaben went four innings, allowing three runs – just one earned – on two hits. Shifflett finished game one 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Katie Klosterman was also 2-4.

GAME 2: MWSU 2, Northwest Missouri St. 0

Shyanne Saladino pitched her second straight one-hit shutout as the Griffons salvaged the split with a 2-0 win in game two.

The Griffons got the only two runs they needed in the fourth inning on solo home runs from Gillaspy and Shifflett. Gillaspy hit her 12th of the season on the first pitch of the inning and Shifflett gave MWSU a 2-0 lea two batters later with a solo shot to center field. Saladino was nearly unhittable, going all seven innings and allowing just one hit to the second batter of the game. She struck out five and walked two.

Missouri Western leaves Maryville with a 26-10 record. They travel to Fort Hays State for a doubleheader on Friday and Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Mustangs add Blake McFadden to coaching staff

Posted on March 31, 2015

The St. Joseph Mustangs have added Blake McFadden to their coaching staff as he’s been named Pitching Coach for the 2015 summer college baseball season.

The St. Joseph native is currently in his third season at Kansas State as he medically retired before the season and now serves as a student assistant for the Wildcats.

McFadden, who graduate from Savannah High School, was a member of K-State’s 2013 Big 12 and Regional Championship team where he was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie team.

As a freshman, McFadden went 6-3 with a 4.97 ERA. He redshirted in 2014 after an elbow injury.

McFadden was the 2012 Missouri Gatorade Player of the year, 2012 MSHSAA Player of the Year, was a Louisville Slugger All-American selection. He was also drafted in the Major League Baseball First-year player draft by the Detroit Tigers.

Matt Johnson returns for his seventh season as the manager of the Mustangs. Johnny Coy will serve as the Mustangs’ Hitting Coach this season, while Blake Hardegree is the Bullpen Coach.

St. Joseph opens its season May 27 when they host the Carroll Merchants at Phil Welch Stadium.

Bearcats rally to defeat Peru State in 10 innings

Posted on March 31, 2015March 31, 2015

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team scored in the bottom of the 10th to beat Peru State 8-7 on Tuesday afternoon at Bearcat Field in non-conference action.

The win moves Northwest to 16-15 overall on the year while Peru State falls to 21-8.

The Bearcats lost a lead in the eighth inning but came back to win in the bottom of the 10th on a Kevin Hanzlik single that scored Austin Wulff.

Northwest used nine pitchers in the game with Carson Smith working the last 2.1 scoreless innings to pick up his third win of the season.

Wulff was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk, while Nick Gotta was 2-for-3 with a game-high three RBI. He walked once and scored a run.

Steven Garber and Garrett Fort each picked up a hit, scored a run and had an RBI, and Paul Johnson was 1-for-4 with a run scored.

The Bearcats host Lindenwood for a four-game MIAA series starting on Thursday with a nine-inning contest at 2 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Western women’s golf team finishes 2nd at Nebraska-Kearney Spring Invite

Posted on March 31, 2015March 31, 2015

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Missouri Western Women’s Golf team achieved its highest finish so far this season with a second place showing at the UNK Spring Invitational. The team fired a two-round total score of 642, nine strokes behind event champion Nebraska-Kearney.

Tiffanie Yabut led the Griffons with a 79 in each round and finished in a tie for second among individuals. Celine Lim also had a good showing, finishing in a tie for ninth place. Lim used a 75 on day two to finish the event with a 158.

Madison Romjue and Callie Wilson were tied for 14th place with a 164. Wilson kept pace with Yabut on day two, shooting 79. Amber Chivington finished 22nd individually with an 81 on day one and an 86 on day two.

The team travels to Mountain Home, Arkansas next week for the First Federal Bank Invitational hosted by Henderson State April 6-8.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest women’s tennis rolls past William Jewell 8-1

Posted on March 31, 2015March 31, 2015

The Northwest Missouri State University women’s tennis team defeated William Jewell, 8-1, on Tuesday afternoon in Liberty, Mo.

The Bearcats move to 9-4 on the season while the Cardinals drop to 7-7.

Match Results
Singles competition
1. Quesada,Camila (NW) def. Savannah Drew (WJ) 6-1, 7-5
2. Jarolim,Lorena Rivas (NW) def. Conner Hazelrigg (WJ) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (12-10)
3. Jaquet,Margaux (NW) def. Sabrine Navarro (WJ) 6-3, 6-1
4. Kolen,Aniek (NW) def. Lauren Huddlestun (WJ) 6-1, 6-3
5. Loree Hazelrigg (WJ) def. Mannix,Stephanie (NW) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10-7)
6. Hull,Marianne (NW) def. Katy Lehenbauer (WJ) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11-9)

Doubles competition
1. Quesada,Camila/Jarolim,Lorena Rivas (NW) def. Sabrine Navarro/Katy Lehenbauer (WJ) 8-3
2. Jaquet,Margaux/Hull,Marianne (NW) def. Conner Hazelrigg/Loree Hazelrigg (WJ) 9-8
3. Kolen,Aniek/Mannix,Stephanie (NW) def. Savannah Drew/Lauren Huddlestun (WJ) 8-6

Northwest returns to action on Thursday, April 2, in a neutral site match against Harding University in Bolivar, Mo. The match against the region’s No. 9 ranked team is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Husker freshman Tarin Smith announces decision to transfer

Posted on March 31, 2015March 31, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. – University of Nebraska men’s basketball coach Tim Miles announced Tuesday evening that freshman guard Tarin Smith has decided to transfer from the Husker program following the spring semester.

“My family and I have intensely thought about this decision, and we feel that it is best if I transfer at the end of this school year,” Smith said. “I would like to thank the University of Nebraska and the fans for this opportunity and their support and encouragement throughout the year.”

Smith, a 6-foot-2 guard from Ocean Township, N.J., played in all 31 games as a true freshman this season, averaging 4.5 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. He had a career-high 13 points in a loss to Ohio State on Feb. 26.

“I am disappointed in Tarin’s choice to transfer, but I support him and understand his decision,” Miles said. “Our entire program will miss him, and we wish him nothing but a successful future.”

— NU Sports Information —