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Author: Dave Riggert

Griffons dominate Fort Hays State Friday, 12-3 & 9-1

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MWSUMissouri Western dominated day one of its four-game series against Fort Hays State. The Griffons won the first game 12-3 before taking game two 9-1.

Game 1: MWSU 12, FHSU 3

In the bottom of the first, the Griffons jumped on the board big. After Hays stranded a couple, the Griffons scored four runs in the opening inning to go ahead 4-0.

Trevor LaHonta’s single up the middle started things out for Missouri Western. Dylon Koch’s bunt safely secured LaHonta to second base as Koch moved to first on the single. Ryan Degner then singled to left field to score LaHonta and move Koch to third base.

After that, David Chew singled and Jake Schrader walked. Hunter Weiss then singled on a bunt, the Griffons’ second of the inning. Will Carter then scored Weiss and Chew but was thrown out on a double play.

The runs didn’t stop there. Missouri Western added another two runs in the second inning before scoring four more in the third.

Another single bunt this time by Mitch Thorman, moved Carter into scoring position. He would score on LaHonta’s single to right field. Koch hit a sac fly later on I nthe inning, and Degner’s single scored another run. LaHonta eventually scored on an error by the catcher to put the Griffons on top 10-0 after just three.

The Tigers scored their first run in the top of the fourth followed by two runs by each team in the fifth inning to provide the final score.

Grant Woods picked up the win and improved to 5-2 on the season. The Griffons got 20 hits on the day, including multiple hits by LaHonta, Koch, Degner, Chew, Carter, Thorman and Cody Childs – who led the team going 4-for-4. Degner had a game-high 4 RBI.

The Tigers were led by Kevin Czarnecki, who was 2 of 3 with an RBI.

Game Two: MWSU 9, FHSU 1

After taking a 1-0 lead through two and a half innings, Missouri Western had three unearned runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 4-0 advantage.

An error by the Tigers’ first baseman score LaHonta and Childs. Schrader’s ground out to the shortstop scored Degner on the next play, giving the Griffons a 4-0 lead.

Missouri Western added another three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as well.

A couple steals put the Griffons in scoring position, followed by Koch’s reach on an error which scored LaHonta and Childs.

Two more Griffons runs were added in the sixth inning as they went ahead 9-0. Needing one more run to end the game on a mercy rule, the Griffons didn’t get it. Instead, Hays added a home run in the top of the ninth inning.

Missouri Western had seven stolen bases in the game. Degner’s triple along with doubles by LaHonta and Childs added extra-base hits for the Griffons.

Koch finished the game with three RBI. Chew and Schrader also had two RBI for the Griffons. LaHonta, Degner and Childs all had two hits for the Griffons.

Josh Lansangan picked up the victory with seven innings pitched. He is now 3-2 on the season. Austin Unrein got the loss for the Tigers. He is now 3-3.

The two teams play Saturday at 1 p.m. with two games scheduled – a seven-inning game followed by one nine-inning game.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Ventura leads Kansas City to 5-0 win at Baltimore

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RoyalsBALTIMORE (AP) — Yordano Ventura scattered seven hits over eight innings Friday night as the Kansas City Royals cruised to a 5-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, who played the latter part of the game without injured slugger Chris Davis.

Davis left in the fifth inning with a left oblique strain. The severity of the injury was not immediately known, but Davis looked to be in obvious discomfort as he walked toward the dugout following a third-inning flyout.

Davis led the majors with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs last season. Although he has only two homers this year, Davis reached base in a career-high 20 straight games before going 0 for 2 in this one.

Ventura (2-1) had a career-high eight strikeouts and walked two in his seventh major league start. The 22-year-old rookie, who had never before gone longer than seven innings, stymied a club that totaled 21 runs in its last two games.

Baltimore got only one runner past second base against the hard-throwing Ventura, a non-drafted free agent from the Dominican Republic.

Greg Holland worked a perfect ninth to finish off the Royals’ second shutout of the season. Kansas City is 11-0 when scoring at least four runs and 0-11 when scoring three runs or less.

Ubaldo Jimenez (0-4) allowed four runs and six hits in six-plus innings. The right-hander has lost four of his five starts with the Orioles, who signed him to a $50 million, four-year contract in February.

After the start of the game was delayed 55 minutes by rain, the Royals wasted no time in taking a 2-0 lead. Jimenez walked Omar Infante and gave up a single to Eric Hosmer before yielding RBI singles to Billy Butler and Alex Gordon.

Alcides Escobar reached third with no outs in Kansas City second, but was stranded. The Orioles got two singles in both the second and fourth innings before Ventura worked out of trouble.

The Royals chased Jimenez during a two-run seventh. Escobar walked and Jarrod Dyson reached on a bunt before Nori Aoki delivered an RBI single past the drawn-in infield and Infante singled in a run on reliever T.J. McFarland’s first pitch.

Butler made it 5-0 in the ninth with a two-out RBI double.

— Associated Press —

Bearcats drop first two games of series with Pitt State

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NWMSUThe Northwest Missouri State baseball team fell twice to Pittsburg State on Friday in an MIAA doubleheader at Bearcat Field. The Bearcats fell 5-2 in game one and 4-3 in game two. Northwest is now 21-23 overall on the year and 15-20 in MIAA action. Pittsburg State is now 18-30 overall and 13-24 in conference action.

Game One

Northwest scored the first two runs of the game but gave up a four-run fifth inning to drop the opening game, 5-2. Austin Warren threw 6.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs on six hits to go along with a pair of strikeouts.

Northwest scored in the first as Brandon Huske was hit by a pitch to start the inning and advanced to to third on a single by Nikko Pablo. One batter later, Huske scored on a Ryan Abernathy groundout.

In the second, Austin Wulff and Steven Garber each singled to start the inning and moved up on a wild pitch. After a walk from Jon Pomatto, Blake Hardegree grounded into a fielders choice as Wulff was forced out at the plate, but Garber scored as the throw from the catcher to first hit Hardegree and bounced away.

Game Two

Despite outhitting the Gorillas, 11-5, Northwest was unable to take advantage and fell in game two, 4-3. Wulff, Pablo and Zack Ferreira each had a pair of hits for the Bearcats.

Down 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Austin Wulff lifted his team leading seventh home run to deep left field to tie the game, 1-1. After Pitt State took a 4-1 lead, Northwest got a timely double from Ferreira in the seventh with one out. After a Huske single moved him to third, Pablo drove him in with a sinlge through the left side.

In the ninth, Northwest loaded the bases as Pomatto walked, Ferreira singled and Huske walked with one out. Pablo hit a sacrifice fly to deep left to score Pomatto, bringing the Bearcats to within one, 4-3. But on the next at bat, a pitch that seemed to get away from the Pitt State catcher was quickly corralled, and with Ferreira trying to advance on the play, he was thrown out at third to end the game.

Kole Klocko started the game and allowed one earned run in 4.2 innings. Daulton Perry allowed two unearned runs in 2.0 innings. Andrew “Bex” Trout and Blane Reutter each threw scoreless innings in relief.

The regular season comes to a close tomorrow with a double-header against the Gorillas starting at 1 p.m. Between the two games, Northwest will honor its nine-member senior class.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Missouri Western softball sweeps Northeastern State

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MWSUAfter a two week break the Missouri Western softball team came out and played well getting a doubleheader sweep against the Northeastern State University RiverHakws. The Griffons got two solid pitching performances winning 6-3 and 4-1. The Griffons have now won 13 of their last 14 games improving to 33-15 overall and 16-8 in MIAA play. With the sweep the Griffons have clinched a spot in next weeks MIAA Tournament in Overland Park, Kan.

Game 1
MWSU 6
NSU 3

The Griffons were able to score early against the Northeastern State RiverHawks picking up a 6-3 victory. The Griffons got another strong performance from Jackie Bishop as she went all seven innings giving up just five hits and three earned runs while striking out a season high 13 RiverHawks. She improves to 21-7 with the victory.

The Griffons got on the board in the first when Brooke Schaben singled up the middle scoring Bre Fleschner who led off the game with a walk. In the second the Griffons got a two out rally going using three straight walks and a single by Tiffany Gillaspy to score two runs. In the third the Griffons plated two more runs giving them the 5-0 lead after three. Morgan Rathman had an RBI triple and scored on a throwing error by the NSU shortstop.

The score stayed that way until the 6th when Fleschner led off with a double to left field and scored on a throwing error the RiverHawk right fielder extending the Griffons lead to 6-0.

In the 7th Bishop had a little trouble giving up two walks and a three run homer to Nevada Campos giving the Griffons the 6-3 victory. The RiverHawks had five hits in the contest while Shelbie Wagnon got the loss going three innings. She gave up five hits and three earned runs while striking out two and walking four. Kylee Cole pitched in relief going three innings giving up two hits and a run.

The Griffons had seven hits with Gillaspy going 3-for-4 with two RBI while Fleschner went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and and RBI.

Game 2
MWSU 4
NSU 1

In game two the Griffons pounded out nine hits with seven of the nine starters getting a hit in the game. Fleschner, Taylor Anding and Michelle Stevenson all had two hits in the contest. Janie Smith improves to 12-8 itching seven strong innings. She gave up just two hits and one earned run while striking out one.

The Griffons got on the board in the first inning when Fleschner singled to centerfield and later scored on a single by Brooke Schaben to shortstop. The RiverHawks responded in the second when Megan Robison hit a homer tying the score at one.

The score stayed that way until the third inning when the Griffons scored three runs. Washington reached on an error and later scored on a fielders choice by Shaben. Gillaspy would later score on a double steal and Anding blasted her fifth homer of the season giving the Griffons the 4-1 lead.

Smith pitched well the rest of the game giving up just one hit whle stranding six Riverhawks.

The RiverHawks fall to 25-27 on the season and 11-13 in MIAA play. Kayce Wooldridge falls to 13-10 going six innings while giving up nine hits and one earned run.

The Griffons will play their final home doubleheader of the season on Saturday, April 26 when they host the University of Central Oklahoma. Game time is set for 12:00 pm. The Griffons honor four senior student athletes that will play their final home games of their career. They include Kat Steponovich, Jackie Bishop, Michelle Stevenson and Taylor Anding.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Miller, Cardinals shut out Pittsburgh in series opener

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CardsST. LOUIS (AP) — Shelby Miller finally solved Pittsburgh, pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Friday night.

Miller (2-2) entered the game with an 0-5 record and a 5.93 ERA against the Pirates. He allowed just three hits and four walks while striking out four.

Pat Neshek, Kevin Siegrist, Carlos Martinez and Kevin Rosenthal followed Miller and preserved the shutout. Rosenthal struck out the side in the ninth for his seventh save in seven chances.

Matt Holliday had three hits, a walk and drove in the only run with a first-inning double. Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina singled in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to 15 games, matching his career high set in 2007.

Pirates starter Gerrit Cole (2-2) pitched seven innings and allowed a run on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

The Pirates lost for the seventh time in nine tries. Pittsburgh has won just three of its last 12 games.

St. Louis got the only run it would need in the first. Matt Carpenter led off with a bunt single down the third baseline and he went to second on Jon Jay’s fielder’s choice to first. Holliday then doubled to right, scoring Carpenter.

Pittsburgh had Miller on the ropes in the third, as singles by Cole and Jose Tabata and a walk to Neil Walker loaded the bases. But Miller got Andrew McCutchen to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

In the eighth, Pittsburgh had runners on first and third with no one out against Martinez after pinch hitter Starling Marte was hit by a pitch and Tabata singled him to third. Martinez got Marte hung up on a fielder’s choice back to him for the first out. After an intentional walk to McCutchen, Martinez struck out Pedro Alvarez and Chris Stewart to end the threat.

— Associated Press —

Northwest softball drops two games to Central Oklahoma

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NWMSUThe Northwest Missouri State softball team opened up their final weekend of the regular season dropping both games of a double header to Central Oklahoma 7-1, in game one and 9-7 in game two.

UCO put up three runs in both the first and second innings to jump out to a 6-0 lead before scoring one more run in the top of the fifth.

Steph Mark drove in the only run of the game for the Bearcats with a single that plated Jill Henry from third.

Jordan Ereth went 3 for 4 supplying three of the team’s eight hits in game one.

Abbie Vitosh was tagged with the loss as her record moves to 7-12.

The Bronchos jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the top of the first in game of two.

Cassidy Lee singled in Baylee Scarbrough in the bottom of the second inning to get her team on the board.

UCO answered back with three runs of their own in the top of the third before Northwest plated six runs in the bottom half of the inning.

The Bearcats offense opened up for six runs on five hits with RBI’s coming from Kristen Uthe, Madison Jones, Taszia Roseberry, Lee, Scarbrough and Ereth.

UCO added one more in the sixth to go up 9-7.

Northwest could not complete the comeback as the game ended with the Bearcats leaving the bases loaded.

Sarah Baldwin took the loss pushing her record to 10-10.

Paige Blythe threw, a combined, seven innings in relief in the two games for Northwest, giving up two runs while striking out two.

The Bearcats, now 19-27 and 12-12 in the MIAA, will host Northeastern State Saturday for their final home series of the regular season. The seniors will be honored before the first pitch of game one, which is scheduled for 11 am.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Western baseball adds two to 2014-2015 recruiting class

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riggertMissouriWesternMissouri Western head baseball coach Buzz Verduzco announces the signing of two student-athletes for the 2015 season. Michael Calimeno from Brooklyn, N.Y. transfers to Missouri Western from Monroe College while catcher, Brandon Downs from Phoenix, Ariz. transfers from South Mountain Community College.

Michael Calimeno is a 5-11 pitcher from Brooklyn, N.Y. transfers to Missouri Western from Monroe College. He played his high school baseball at Grand Street Campus in Brooklyn. so far as a sophomore he is 3-0 with a 3.94 ERA. He has appeared in nine games with two starts. He has also combined for one shutout and has two saves. He has thrown 16 innings giving up 12 hits with 15 strikeouts. Opponents are only hitting .197 against him. As a freshman at Monroe he pitched in 15 games with a 3-2 record and a 3.65 ERA. He pitched in 24.2 innings with four saves. He gave up 13 hits, 10 earned runs and struckout 20. He only allowed opponents to hit .163 against him. He is the son of Debra Elhadri and plans on majoring in criminal justice.

“We look for Michael to be one of top relievers for next season,” stated Coach Verduzco. “He has been a starting pitcher, long reliever, and closer. His versatility will add tremendous depth and competitiveness to our staff.”

Brandon Downs is a 6-1 catcher from Phoenix, Ariz. Downs transfers to Missouri Western after playing his last two seasons at South Mountain Community College. Downs played his high school baseball at Mesa High School. While at South Mountain he has been a NJCAA DI All-Star. So far this season he is hitting .276 with 21 hits and three home runs (two grand slams) and 23 RBI. He has scored four runs and hit three doubles. He has an on-base percentage of .371 and a slugging percentage of .434. As a freshman Downs hit .29 with 24 hits, three doubles and two triples. He scored 10 runs with 11 RBI. He had a .359 on base percentage and a .383 slugging percentage. While in high school he was an All-City selection as well as All-Region Honorable Mention. He hit .404 as a senior in high school. He is the son of Scott and Suzanne and plans on majoring in sport management.

“Brandon is considered to be one of the best junior college catching prospects in the Southwest,” commented Coach Verduzco. “We are fortunate to have him part of our program.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

MWSU softball signs Bishop LeBlond’s Sophie Gentry

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MWSUMissouri Western softball coach Jen Bagley announces the signing of a St. Joseph, Mo. product for next season. Sophie Gentry from St. Joseph, Mo. will join, junior college pitcher Shyanne Saladino from Davenport, Iowa along with Riley Wilson, Rebekah Mueller, Shelbie Atwell, Paige Shifflett and Emilie Laliberte on next years squad as those players signed in November 2013.

Sophie Gentry is a 5-4 catcher from St. Joseph, Mo. She played her high school softball at Bishop Leblond High School. While at Leblond, Gentry earned numerous honors. She was a four time 1st Team All-City, All-District, All-Midland Empire and All-New-Press selection. She was a 2nd Team All-News-Press Regional selection as a freshman and 1st team News-Press Regional as a sophomore, junior and senior. She was a 2nd Team All-State performer as a senior helping her team to a Missouri Class 2 State Championship. While at Leblond she broke numerous records which include highest batting average in a season, highest on-base percentage, most put outs and highest slugging percentage. She is the daughter of Jerry & Lynne and plans on majoring in education or accounting.

“We are excited to add Sophie Gentry to our roster,” stated Coach Bagley. “She has had a lot of success as a prep athlete. We have hopes she will be able to transition that success as a college athlete. She is very powerful and will add much needed depth and competition to our catching position.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffon men add prep big man Mason Hughes

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MWSUMissouri Western men’s basketball coach Brett Weiberg announced the signing of one more student-athlete that will join the program for the 2014-15 season. Freshman Mason Hughes of Olathe, Kan. will join freshman Currie Byrd a forward from Montgomery, Texas, Seth Bonifas a forward from Dubuque, Iowa and Cole Clearman a guard from Bettendorf, Iowa at MWSU next fall.

Mason Hughes is listed at 6’8″ and 200 pounds as he played at Olathe North High School in Olathe, Kansas.  Hughes was three-year letter winner and he averaged 5.2 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game and 2.3 blocks per game as a senior. He is the son of Rodney and Kathy and plans on majoring in chemistry.

“I am very pleased to announce the signing of Mason Hughes from Olathe North High School,” commented Head Coach Brett Weiberg. “He played for Coach Jeff Walton who does an outstanding job. Mason is almost 6’8. He is long and runs the floor well and jumps well. I feel like he is a kid that is going to get better in a hurry. Mason is a good shot blocker and rim protector. I am looking forward to Mason joining the Griffon Basketball Family.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest women add Division I transfer Taylor Shull

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NWMSUNorthwest Missouri State women’s basketball coach Michael Smith has announced the addition of Taylor Shull to the 2014-15 roster. Shull, a native of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, played the last two seasons at Division I member Bradley University. She will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in the fall.

“I’ve seen Taylor play numerous times throughout her HS and AAU career, she is exactly what we need in a point guard,” said Smith. “Her transferring in with two years experience at the Division I level will be very beneficial in being able to step right in and lead our program.”

Shull appeared in 37 career games for Bradley over two seasons after a standout career at Mt. Pleasant Community High School. As a prep, she set school records for career, single season and single game scoring. She was a two time all-state selection and a four-time all-district and All-Southeast Conference selection. As a junior and senior, she earned conference Player of the Year accolades. A four-sport standout, she qualified for state in track and field four times and was a two-time all-conference performer in volleyball.

2014-15 Roster Additions
Raven Bunn – Independence, Mo. (Fort Osage HS)
Elizabeth Finn – Bettendorf, Iowa (Bettendorf HS)
Samantha Hurst – Harrisonville, Mo. (Kansas City Kansas CC/Harrisonville HS)
Tanya Meyer – Sioux City, Iowa (Sioux City West HS)
Alexa Schaaf – El Dorado Springs, Mo. (El Dorado Springs HS)
Taylor Shull – Mt. Pleasant, Iowa (Bradley/Mt. Pleasant HS)
Bailey Smith – Columbus, Neb. (Columbus HS)
Morgan Walker – Rembrandt, Iowa (North Iowa Area CC/Sioux Central HS)

— Northwest Sports Information —

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