Dave Riggert – Page 644 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Bearcats lose to MSU Moorhead in Central Regional championship game

Posted on March 17, 2015March 17, 2015

By David Boyce

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team ran into a squad that had the size and athleticism to keep the Bearcats out of any offensive rhythm for the entire Central Regional championship game.

The grit of the Bearcats was what kept Northwest close, but it wasn’t enough as Minnesota State University Moorhead ended Northwest’s season with a 47-42 victory Tuesday evening at the Sanford Pentagon.

Moorhead, 35-3, advances to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Northwest finished its season 25-7.

“It was one of those games that defensively we were really locked in,” Northwest coach Ben McCollum said. “It was as good as we have played defensively all year, to hold a team with that much offensive firepower to 36 percent.

“Obviously, holding us to 28 percent made for an extremely ugly game. It was a game right within our grasp. They beat us. It wasn’t anything our kids did. They were the better team today.”

McCollum said seniors Matt Wallace and Grant Cozad stepped up and decided to be better than last year.

“They were,” McCollum said. “They led us to the first outright conference title in 30 years and three out of four conference championships and two Sweet 16s. These guys were pretty darn good for me.”

Despite the disappointment of falling short of winning the regional championship, the Bearcats have plenty to be proud of.

“It was always our goal to get back to the tournament and be as good as last year,” said Cozad, who finished with 15 points. “Matt and I talked about it. We wanted to get back to the Sweet 16 and make the Elite Eight and just try to win that national championship. It stinks not to get this win. We know as a team we could have beat them. It is heartbreaking, but that’s how it happens.”

Northwest lost five seniors off last year’s team that also reached the regional championship game. Coming into the season, the Bearcats were picked to finish fourth in the MIAA.

The Bearcats came into the regional seeded fourth. Northwest overcame a 14-point deficit in the quarterfinals and overcame a 10-point deficit in the semifinals against the No. 1 seed and host school, Augustana.

“I am extremely proud of our team and where they went through,” McCollum said. “If you told me at the beginning of the season that this was where we would be, it would have been hard to believe.”

Northwest was looking for one more upset. The Bearcats fell behind 24-18 early in the second half. Seven straight points by the Bearcats gave them a 25-24 lead. It appeared the second-half magic was back for Northwest.

Unfortunately, Moorhead was cool under fire. The Dragons slowly increased their lead to 39-29 with 7 minutes left. Northwest had trouble generating consistent offense against the Dragons defense.

“It was good, but it wasn’t anything we haven’t seen,” Wallace said. “We had quite a few open looks. They weren’t going in tonight.”

But this was where Northwest showed its guts. Even though shots weren’t falling, the Bearcats kept clawing. With 4 minutes left, Northwest pulled to within four at 39-35 on a layup by Justin Pitts, who finished with 13 points.

The Bearcats were playing great defense. The shot clock was running down when 6-foot-9 senior Isaac Sevlie stood at the top of the key and drilled a three-pointer to make it 42-35 with 3:40 left. Sevlie, who was picked the most valuable player of the tournament, was 0-7 on three-pointers entering the game.

“That kind of broke our backs,” McCollum said.

Back-to-back baskets by Pitts helped Northwest close to 42-39 with 44 seconds left. The Bearcats were forced to foul. Because they only had one team foul, it took them 6 precious seconds to reach six team fouls.

When senior Jordan Riewer went to the line, he made both. After a Northwest miss, Riewer was fouled again and made one, giving the Dragons a 45-39 lead with 25 seconds.

It is easy to look at the shooting percentage by both teams in the first half and think there was some poor shooting taking place. Forget it. Both teams played incredible defense.

Moorhead went into halftime with a slim 20-18 lead because it made the last shot just before halftime.

Northwest was just 6 for 23 from the field for 26 percent. Moorhead wasn’t much better, going 8 for 25 from the field for 32 percent.

The one player who kept Northwest close was Cozad, who was 4 for 5 from the field and scored 11 or the Bearcats’ 18 points.

“I have confidence in myself to hit that shot in any game we play,” Cozad said. “I got it going early. We couldn’t get those drives in the paint. Pitts couldn’t get in there. Conner couldn’t get in there. I tried to space out and they found me.”

— Northwest Sports Information —

Griffon baseball stays hot with comeback win over Central Missouri

Posted on March 17, 2015

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A solid performance from the Missouri Western bullpen and clutch hitting helped the Griffon baseball team earn a 10-5 win over Central Missouri Tuesday at the Spring Sports Complex.

With the win, Western improves to 14-7 and they’ve now won 11 of their last 13 games. The game was a non-conference game with UCM.

Starter Jared Lloyid lasted just an inning and a third after surrendering three runs on three hits and two walks. After that, the Griffon bullpen allowed just two runs the rest of the way as the MWSU bats came alive in the second and third.

Down 4-2 going into the bottom of the fourth, David Glaude singled to drive in Trevor LaHonta and begin a Griffon rally. With two outs in the inning, Cosimo Cannella drove in Mitch Thorman with an RBI single to center. Dylon Koch capped the rally with a two-RBI single that put MWSU up 6-4.

Missouri Western tacked on one in the seventh, one in the eighth and Josh Lansangan wiggled out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth to end the game.

Koch finished 2-4 with four RBIs. Cannella was 2-4 with four driven in and a run scored. Glaude went 2-3 on the day with two RBIs and two runs scored and Thorman picked up two hits in five at bats with one driven in and two runs scored. Matt Russell picked up the win in relief, going two and two thirds and allowing two runs on two hits.

Missouri Western travels to Topeka, Kansas this weekend to take on Washburn in a four-game series.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Western softball extends win streak to six with sweep of Northwest

Posted on March 17, 2015

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western softball team won their sixth straight game with a doubleheader sweep of Northwest Missouri State Tuesday afernoon. The Griffons improve to 15-9 on the season and they’re now 6-2 in the MIAA.

GAME 1: MWSU 1, NWMSU 0

Western got a stellar performance from Janie Smith as she pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out four.

MWSU scored its lone run in the second inning on Shelbie Atwell’s double to right field that drove Kailey Green in. Missouri Western left five on base in the game, getting six hits. Paige Shifflett started a hot day at the plate with a 2-2 performance in game one. Atwell was also 2-2 in game one with the one RBI.

GAME 2: MWSU 7, NWMSU 2

Shifflett capped off a stellar day at the plate with a two-run home run in the fifth that game MWSU a 7-2 lead that would hold up over the final two innings. Her shot to left center left her 2-3 with two RBIs in the game and 4-5 on the day.

The Griffons jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third when Tiffany Gillaspy lifted an 0-2 pitch over the wall in left center that scored three. Sydney Washington drove in the Griffons’ fifth run of the game in the fifth when she singled and advanced to second on a throw home that Rebekah Mueller beat to the plate.

Shyanne Saladino went all seven innings, allowing just three hits.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State baseball outlasts Quincy 10-9

Posted on March 17, 2015March 17, 2015

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team used a pair of home runs to outlast Quincy, 10-9, Tuesday afternoon in Maryville.

The Bearcats improve to 9-11 on the year, while the Hawks saw their record slip to 7-5.
Batting leadoff for the first time this season, left fielder Kolby Greenslade finished the day 3-for-5 with two runs and four RBI, all coming on a grand slam, his first home run on the year.

Kevin Handzlik only had one hit, but he made it count. The freshman crushed his first collegiate home run over the left field fence in the fourth inning.

Paul Johnson reached base four times and laid down a sacrifice bunt in his other at bat, going 3-for-3 with a double and one run scored, while Steven Garber drove in three runs on two hits while scoring two runs of his own. The 6-foot-6 senior now has 17 RBI on the year, second on the team.

Rob Henrichs earned his first win of the year after inducing three straight ground balls in the eighth.

Carson Smith picked up his fifth save when he came in to close out the ninth. The senior struck out one and picked off a baserunner to record the final out.

Northwest Missouri State will host Fort Hays State for a four game MIAA series over the weekend, March 20-22. The teams will open play on Friday in a single game starting at 2 p.m. First pitch for Saturday’s doubleheader will be 1 p.m. and the series finale is scheduled for Sunday at noon.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Royals’ rally comes up short in spring game against Cubs

Posted on March 17, 2015March 17, 2015

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Jason Hammel threw four scoreless innings and Anthony Rizzo reached base three times on Tuesday as the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3.

Hammel came in with a 10.80 ERA in his previous two outings over five innings, but had good downward action and fastball command against the Royals.

The right-hander allowed two hits and struck out three in his longest outing of the spring after he allowed nine hits and walked three in his previous two appearances.

“It’s spring training coming together,” Hammel said. “As long as you don’t get frustrated and beat yourself up the first couple weeks of spring and expect results because you are still somewhat getting into shape, you’ll be OK. Things felt like it clicked today.”

Royals starter Danny Duffy was nearly as good, other than a tough third inning in which he hit a batter and walked two, including Starlin Castro to force in the first run of the game.

“I was pretty happy with everything,” he said. “There are things you have to get ready for in the season. It might be a pitch to certain kind of hitter or whatever it maybe. I’m trying to control the front and back of the plate this year.”

Rizzo was hit by a pitch and singled twice, including a RBI shot to right-center off Royals reliever Wade Davis in the fifth.

Lorenzo Cain two doubles, including one that drove in a run in the sixth, and Omar Infante had two singles in three at-bats for the Royals, while Lane Adams came off the bench to hit his first home run of the spring.

“Cain is really swinging the bat well,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s on everything right now.”

STARTING TIME

Royals: Duffy created a jam in the third inning with wildness after getting two quick outs. He walked Dexter Fowler, gave up a single to Chris Denorfia, hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch to load the bases and forced in a run when he walked Castro.

“He did a great job of limiting the damage after the bases loaded giving up one,” Yost said.

Cubs: Hammel gave up one hit in each of the first two innings, but followed it up by facing the minimum in the third and fourth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Infante was the designated hitter again. He has yet to play in the field during the Cactus League because of a sore right elbow.

“He’s extending it and he’s progressing,” said Ned Yost, who hopes Infante plays at least 10 games in the field. “We’ll just have to keep checking on how he’s doing and when he’ll be ready.”

Cubs: Third base prospect Kris Bryant tested his right shoulder — throwing from 90 feet — and came through feeling good.

“It definitely felt better than the last couple of days,” he said. “I’ll be out there pretty soon. We’ve made some really good progress with it. It’s a normal thing. If this was the season I’d definitely be playing through it.”

GETTING BACK INTO IT

Royals left fielder Alex Gordon, who had right wrist surgery in the offseason, played in minor intrasquad game and went 3 for 6 with a double and home run.

“That’s great news,” Yost said.

IN SEARCH OF AN ORDER

Maddon said he will settle on a regular-season lineup close to the final 10 games, but Tuesday’s order against the Royals had a regular-season look to it with no one with a number in the 60s or higher.

He said one position he is really interested in settling is the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

“The two hole is like a mystery,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s about feeding the RBI guys, who has the knack to drive in points,” Maddon said. “You would think on the surface guys like (Anthony) Rizzo, (Jorge) Soler and (Kris) Bryant would be classical RBI guys.”

UP NEXT

Cubs: Travel to Camelback Ranch as right-hander Jake Arrieta makes his third start of the spring against Brandon McCarthy and the Dodgers.

Royals: face Milwaukee at Surprise.

— Associated Press —

Peralta’s three hits leads St. Louis over Marlins’ split squad

Posted on March 17, 2015March 17, 2015

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Jhonny Peralta had three hits, including his first homer of spring training, leading the St. Louis Cardinals over a Miami Marlins’ split squad 7-1 Tuesday.

Peralta, who entered in 1-for-14 slide, homered on a fifth-inning slider from Bryan Morris for a 5-1 lead. He singled in his first two at-bats.

Marco Gonzales, trying to win the fifth spot in the Cardinals’ rotation, allowed his first run of spring training. He gave up four hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings, striking out three. The Cardinals’ 2014 minor league pitcher of the year threw 41 of his 67 pitches for strikes and also looped an RBI single over first baseman Jeff Baker in a three-run fourth.

“He got into trouble and figured out how to pitch out,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “He did a real nice of doing exactly what we would hope.”

Matt Holliday had a bases-loaded, two-run single in the fourth off Jarred Cosart, who allowed four runs, eight hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. Cosart yielded three earned runs in two innings against Minnesota in his previous outing.

“I’ve got to look at some mechanical stuff,” said Cosart, who surrendered four runs on eight hits and three walks. “I threw three really good pitches and then five bad ones. I’ve just got to get a couple things tightened up.”

STARTING TIME

Marlins: Both clubs had their pitchers bat for the first time this spring training. Cosart went 0 for 1 with a sacrifice. “I’m glad I was able to get the bunt down and not embarrass myself,” he said.

Cardinals: Adam Wainwright is to make his exhibition season debut Saturday when St. Louis plays Atlanta. Matheny said if all goes well, Wainwright would start every five days for the remainder of spring training,. That may enable to start the April 5 major league opener at the Chicago Cubs.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Lance Lynn is to throw a simulated game at the Cardinals’ complex on Wednesday. He’s been slowed by a sore hip. Outfielder Jon Jay, working his way back from offseason wrist surgery, is to bat in that game.

MAKING MOVES:

Marlins: Miami optioned pitchers Adam Conley, Justin Nicolino and Matt Ramsey to Triple-A New Orleans before Tuesday’s game.

Cardinals: St. Louis optioned pitcher Tyler Lyons and infielder Greg Garcia to Triple-A Memphis and reassigned catchers Carson Kelly and Breyvic Valera to their minor league camp.

PINCH HIT PREVIEW

Without the benefit of the designated hitter, Miami started Ichiro Suzuki in center field. Marlins manager Mike Redmond has frequently used Ichiro as the DH in spring training, in part to prepare him for pinch hitting during the season. “Basically, DHing is three or four pinch hits, because you’re not in the flow of the game,” Redmond said.

GOING GREEN

St. Louis wore green shirts and caps for Tuesday’s St. Patrick’s Day game.

UP NEXT:

Mat Latos is to make his second start of spring training for Miami when Washington comes to Jupiter on Wednesday. The Cardinals are off Wednesday and plan to start Jaime Garcia on Thursday against New York.

— Associated Press —

Griffon softball takes two from Southeastern Oklahoma State

Posted on March 16, 2015

EMPORIA, Kan. – The Missouri Western softball team moved to 13-9 on the season, scoring 18 runs in a doubleheader sweep of Southeastern Oklahoma State in game played at Emporia State University.

GAME 1: MWSU 10, SEO 6

The Griffons got 10 runs on 10 hits, taking a 7-1 lead after three innings. Southeastern State added five in the sixth to close the gap but MWSU answered with three of their own in the bottom half of the inning to build a four-run lead.

Janie Smith went the distance, pitching seven innings and allowing six runs. Smith struck out two and walked one, wiggling herself out of a few jams after giving up 11 hits. Paige Shifflett homered for her one hit and RBI. Tiffany Gillaspy went 3-4 with one driven in and two runs scored and Shelbie Atwell went 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

GAME 2: MWSU 8, SEO 5

The Griffons scored their first six runs via home runs, getting a three-run homer from Shifflett in the first and a solo shot from Katie Klosterman in the first. In the second, Morgan Rathmann and Gillaspy hit back-to-back solo home runs to put MWSU up 6-1.

Southeastern Oklahoma added three in the bottom of the second and one in the third to tighten the gap, 6-5 and chase Shyanne Saladino from the game. Taylor Schaben entered in relief and got the Griffons out of a jam, completing the next five innings and allowing just three hits.

Rathmann went 3-4 in game two, driving in two and scoring two. Gillaspy was 3-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Shifflett finished with three RBIs on her one hit.

Missouri Western returns to action Tuesday when they host Northwest Missouri State in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. The games will be broadcast on ESPN 1550 AM and here on StJosephPost.com.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Kansas City beats Cleveland 6-5 but Ventura hit hard

Posted on March 16, 2015

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Yordano Ventura gave up four runs in the first two innings, but the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the Cleveland Indians 6-5 Monday.

Ventura gave up hits to the first four batters, with Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana contributing RBI singles in a three-run first. The right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk in three innings. He struck out five. Ventura has a 10.29 ERA in three starts.

“I’m happy with my fastball, but they squared some up,” Ventura said through a translator.

Ventura’s fastball reached 100 mph on radar guns.

“Good stuff, got his pitch count (69) where we wanted it.” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s still refining his fastball command.”

Indians right-hander Shaun Marcum, who was limited to 17 1/3 innings in the minors last season while recovering from shoulder surgery, threw three scoreless innings, allowing two hits.

“As far as my arm, it’s night and day to where I was last year,” Marcum said. “I feel like I’m headed in right direction right now. I’ve still got to continue to build up arm strength, pitch count, endurance, mechanically in the pen.”

With Gavin Floyd set to have elbow surgery, Marcum is competing for a spot in Cleveland’s rotation. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2013.

Matt Fields hit a two-run homer and Christian Colon had a two-run single for the Royals.

STARTING TIME

Indians: Marcum, who has an out clause near the end of March if not put on the big league roster, acknowledged he is “definitely” pitching for other clubs in spring training. “But the main thing is I want to pitch for these guys,” Marcum said. “They gave me the opportunity last year to come in and do my rehab. I want to show them that I can get people out in the big leagues still. I still feel like I’ve got a lot left in my arm. I definitely don’t want to end my career how it went in New York.”

He was 1-10 with a 5.29 ERA in 2013 with the Mets before surgery.

Royals: RHP Luke Hochevar, who had reconstructive elbow surgery last March, tossed a spotless seventh. “He is less than a year out from surgery so it’s pretty darn encouraging,” Yost said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Indians: RHP Gavin Floyd will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a fractured bone in his right elbow. … INF Mike Aviles is nursing a tender right shoulder.

Royals: LF Alex Gordon, who is recovering from December right wrist surgery, faced pitchers for the first time in batting practice Monday. “It went well,” Gordon said. “I’m not worried about results. I haven’t seen a pitch since October. I’m trying to get that rhythm back.”

ROYALS SIGN FURCAL

The Royals signed shortstop Rafael Furcal, 37, to a minor league contract as he rehabs a torn hamstring. Furcal was limited to nine games last year with Miami because of hamstring injuries. He missed 2013 after elbow surgery. He has a .281 batting average in 14 years in the majors.

HALL OF FAME HELP

RHPs Bret Saberhagen and Dennis Leonard, OF Willie Wilson and 1B John Mayberry, who are all in the Royals Hall of Fame, are assisting in camp. “They told me not to screw up too many minor league pitchers,” joked Saberhagen, a two-time AL Cy Young award winner.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Corey Kluber will make his second start Tuesday against the Reds.

Royals: Rookie LHP Brandon Finnegan is scheduled to go three innings Tuesday against the Cubs.

— Associated Press —

Emporia State defeats Fort Hays to advance to Elite Eight

Posted on March 16, 2015

Hays, Kan. – Second-seeded Emporia State earned a trip to the Elite Eight with a 66-61 win over top-seeded Fort Hays State in the NCAA Division II Central Regional title game.

ESU trailed by as much as nine early before using an 11-0 run to take the lead at the 8:32 mark in the first half. The Lady Hornets would never trail by more than one point after than leading by as much as 13 points in the second half. ESU hit nine three-pointers as they shot .500 from behind the arch.

For the Lady Hornets Kelly Moten had a double-double as she scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Kathryn Flott also had a double-double scoring 13 points and pulling down 10 boards while Addie Lackey also finished with 13 points. For the Tigers Kate Lehman scored a game high 27 points while adding five blocked shots on the night. On the glass Keriann Shaw had 10 rebounds while Beth Bohuslavsky dished out a game high nine assists.

Emporia State will now face West Texas A&M in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on March 24 at a time to be determined from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

— MIAA Press Release —

Cardinals’ Lackey outduels Price in first spring training start

Posted on March 16, 2015March 16, 2015

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — John Lackey pitched three perfect innings in his spring training debut, outpitching David Price in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday.

“There’s definitely some things to work on, but the main goal of throwing fastballs, building arm strength and locating it — that was pretty good today,” Lackey said.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny let the 36-year-old Lackey set his own pace during camp and it has paid off. The right-hander struck out four and needed only 37 pitches.

“We put the plan together based on what he wanted,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “For us to say this is what we think you should do, for a guy who has been around as long as he has, I think is counter-productive.”

In his third outing of the spring, David Price was nearly as efficient as Lackey, throwing four scoreless innings of one hit ball while striking out five and walking one.

That was a lot better than five days ago, and a lot better than 10 days ago,” Price said, referring to his first two spring starts. “It was good to get out there and to be able, not only be efficient but to execute, for the most part when I was out there on the mound.”

Yoenis Cespedes returned to the Tigers lineup after missing a couple games with a quadriceps injury, and showed little sign of rust. He sent a pitch from Lackey to the right field warning track in the second inning and doubled off Carlos Villanueva in the fifth.

Pete Kozma had an RBI single.

STARTING TIME

Cardinals: Adam Wainwright threw a three-inning simulated game on Monday morning and ran some sprints afterward. An abdominal strain has slowed the Cardinals ace thus far, but Wainwright could make his first Grapefruit League start of the season this weekend.

Tigers: Justin Verlander is scheduled to make his third start of the spring on Tuesday. Verlander has yet to allow a run in five innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Center fielder Jon Jay was among the hitters to take hacks against Wainwright in the simulated game. He had two singles off the big righty. Jay has yet to appear in an exhibition game following offseason wrist surgery but that could change by the end of the week.

Tigers: Slugging third baseman Miguel Cabrera took batting practice with the team on the main field prior Monday’s game. It marked the first time Cabrera, who underwent offseason ankle surgery, has taken batting practice on the road this spring. The Tigers have yet to announce a timetable for his first spring game appearance. … Catcher Alex Avila, who has been dealing with back soreness, played in his first game since March 11. Avila stuck out in both plate appearances.

EARLY RETURNS

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny isn’t worried about second baseman Kolton Wong’s slow start to the spring. Wong has only two hits in 18 at-bats. “I don’t look at numbers right now,” Matheny said. “I look at at-bats and I’ve seen him take some really good at-bats.”

SHIFT BUSTER

With Detroit moving third baseman Nick Castellanos to short right field as part of a defensive shift against Matt Adams, the power hitting lefty attempted, unsuccessfully, to bunt the ball to the left side for a hit. After two strikes Adams slashed a line drive to the third base side that went foul, then struck out looking. Afterward, Matheny reiterated his desire to see Adams steal some hits via the bunt in those situations this season.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Marco Gonzales will get his third start of the spring, going against Miami’s Jarred Cosart.

Tigers: Verlander and the Tigers return to Lakeland to face Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals.

— Associated Press —