Dave Riggert – Page 927 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Kansas City wins series opener against Cleveland

Posted on April 27, 2013April 27, 2013

Ervin Santana pitched seven scoreless innings, Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer and the Kansas City Royals held on to beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 Saturday night.

Santana (3-1), who was acquired in an Oct. 31 trade with Anaheim for minor-league pitcher Brandon Sisk, allowed six singles, struck out five and walked none.

Greg Holland, who logged his sixth save in seven opportunities, gave up two unearned runs in the ninth on a Michael Brantley two-out triple, which scored Mark Reynolds, who had an infield single, and Lonnie Chisenhall, who reached on Eric Hosmer’s error. Holland struck out Jason Kipnis to end the game.

The Indians have scored three runs or less in eight of their past 10 games and 13 times this season, going 3-10 in those games.

Scott Kazmir (0-1), who was making his second big league start in two years, was charged the loss. He gave up two runs on five hits, while striking out four and walking two. In his previous start, the Indians scored 19 runs and were ahead 14-0 going into the bottom of the second at Houston, but Kazmir failed to get out of the fourth inning, giving up six runs on eight hits, including two homers.

Kazmir, a two-time American League All-Star selection while with Tampa Bay, pitched last season with the Sugar Land Skeeters in the independent Atlantic League and signed a minor league contact with the Indians in January. He won a slot in the Cleveland rotation after a strong spring training.

Perez homered just inside the right-field foul pole in the second inning on an 0-1 pitch from Kazmir after he walked Jeff Francoeur.

The Indians had five base runners in the second and third innings, but failed to score.

Drew Stubbs, Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera singled in the third, loading the bases with one out. Nick Swisher grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Swisher led off the second with a single and Carlos Santana reached on a Miguel Tejada error. Ervin Santana struck out Reynolds and Chisenhall to end the threat.

The Indians used five relief pitchers in the seventh when the Royals added a run. Alex Gordon’s two-out single was the only hit. The inning included Bryan Shaw walking the only two batters he faced and Rich Hill walking Eric Hosmer, the only batter he faced, with the bases loaded to score Gordon.

Herrera replaced Santana and promptly gave up a leadoff double to Michael Brantley to lead off the eighth. Brantley went to third on a wild pitch, but was stranded.

— Associated Press —

Bearcat softball gets swept by Northeastern State

Posted on April 27, 2013April 27, 2013

The double-header did not go as planned for the Northwest Missouri State softball team Saturday as they dropped both games to Northeastern State losing game one 3-1 and game two by the same score.

Both starting pitchers cruised through the first three innings until the Bearcats plated a run in the fourth to get on the board first. Stephanie Price led off the inning with a single and was knocked in by Kylie Cantrell who singled through the right side to put her team up 1-0.

Jenna Creger shut down the RiverHawk offense allowing five hits and striking out six through the first five innings. Northeastern was able to get to the Bearcat pitcher in the sixth inning getting three runs on three hits to go up 3-1.

Northwest managed one hit in the top of the seventh, but could not muster a comeback. Creger was tagged with the loss moving her record to 12-8 on the season.

The RiverHawks scored first in game two putting up the only three runs they would score all game in the second inning. From there it was up to the Bearcats to play catch up.

Northwest scored their lone run in the top of the fifth inning when Kristine Labertew hit a solo home run over the left field fence.

Abbie Vitosh went the distance for the complete game in the 3-1 loss. Vitosh allowed five hits giving up three earned runs and striking out one.

The Bearcats move to 25-15, 13-11 on the season. It will be a quick turn-around for Head Coach Ryan Anderson’s team as they will take on No. 21 Central Oklahoma Sunday for a two game set. First pitch in Edmond, Okla. is scheduled for noon with game two set to follow.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Four-run seventh dooms Cardinals in loss to Pittsburgh

Posted on April 27, 2013April 27, 2013

Russell Martin wanted a better fate for his starting pitcher and helped deliver a happier ending.

The Pittsburgh Pirates catcher hit a two-run home run to highlight a four-run seventh inning and the Pirates rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Saturday. The comeback gave A.J. Burnett (2-2) his second victory over St. Louis in 10 days.

”It was great, man. I was really happy about that,” said Martin, who went 2-for-4 with a double. ”A.J.’s been pitching his butt off all year and he hasn’t had too many wins under his belt and he should. It seemed like it was going to go like kind of how it’s been but we were able to muster up some wins and find a way to do it for him.

”It’s definitely gratifying. It feels great.”

Burnett gave up two runs and five hits in six innings. His six strikeouts expanded his team record for the month of April to a league-leading 48. Burnett threw seven shutout innings in a 5-0 win over St. Louis on April 17.

He hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in his six starts this season, giving up three just twice. The Pirates haven’t backed him at the plate, however, providing him an average of 2.33 runs.

Burnett used 111 pitches earning an exit earlier than he wanted but he was pleased with his results and the victory.

”It feels good just because the fact that these guys keep going,” he said. ”Russ started us off with the homer. We’re never out of it. We’re never down. There’s no negative thoughts.

”As a starter, I’m going to try to keep doing that until (manager) Clint (Hurdle) takes me out.”

St. Louis starter Jake Westbrook left after six innings with a 2-0 lead in search of his 100th career victory. He struck out a season-high six and scattered six hits to lower his ERA to 0.98 in five starts.

The Pirates had three consecutive hits against reliever Joe Kelly (0-1) to lead off the seventh and were aided by a hit by pitch and a walk to score four runs. Martin’s fifth homer of the season drove in Pedro Alvarez to tie the score at 2, Andrew McCutchen walked with the bases loaded and Garrett Jones grounded in Starling Marte.

”They just couldn’t get it done today,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of his bullpen. ”Any time you lose a game in the last third, it can be extremely frustrating. When the starter gives you a great chance like that, you hate to see it slip away.”

The Pirates added their fifth run on a double by Martin and a sacrifice fly from Gaby Sanchez. Martin has a hit in 10 of his past 11 games.

Pittsburgh had scored just one run in the first 15 innings of the series before their four-run outburst. The beleaguered St. Louis Cardinals bullpen had its ERA balloon to 5.62. The Cardinals have given up 39 runs after the sixth inning this season.

”Honestly, I didn’t know they were struggling like that,” Martin said. ”All of those guys have tremendous arms and they’ve got good stuff. It’s going to even out for them, I’m sure.

”The difference is, when they’re struggling, it’s just their minds that are struggling. Maybe their focus is just a bit off. When you get a guy whose focus is off he tends to make more mistakes and that’s when you have to capitalize.”

Jason Grilli surrendered his first run of the season on an RBI double from Carlos Beltran in the ninth but earned his 10th save in 10 tries.

St. Louis jumped to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and sixth. Pete Kozma’s two-out single up the middle scored Jon Jay. Matt Carpenter and Beltran singled to start the first. Carpenter scored on Matt Holliday’s groundout.

Westbrook’s performance also lowered the Cardinals starters ERA to a league-best 2.08.

He allowed a runner to reach second base once, though the Pirates went in order just one time.

Westbrook has struggled throughout his career against the Pirates, entering with a 1-7 record and a 5.28 ERA. It could have been worse. He gave up four runs and six hits in two innings April 16 before rained forced the game’s postponement.

”I felt like I was throwing the ball pretty well, had a good sinker. I was able to get some early outs and stayed out of trouble for the most part.”

— Associated Press —

Kansas State names captains for 2013 football season

Posted on April 27, 2013April 27, 2013

Kansas State head football coach Bill Snyder has announced that center B.J. Finney, wide receiver Tyler Lockett, linebackers Blake Slaughter and Tre Walker and defensive back Ty Zimmerman have been named team captains for the 2013 season.

Finney and Zimmerman will serve as captains for the second straight year, while Lockett, Slaughter and Walker will be first-time captains in 2013 after being chosen by their teammates.

The Wildcats return 42 lettermen from last year’s 11-2 squad which is led by 2011 and 2012 Big 12 and National Coach of the Year Bill Snyder, who is in his 22nd season overall at Kansas State.

Kansas State also returns 11 starters in 2013, while a total of 18 returners have earned starts during their Wildcat career. The Wildcats return nine players from 2012 that earned midseason or postseason All-Big 12 honors from various media outlets, including returning All-Americans Zimmerman at safety and Lockett at kick returner/wide receiver.

K-State opens the 2013 season and the new West Stadium Center August 30 with a primetime, nationally-televised home game on FOX Sports 1 against North Dakota State.

— KSU Sports Information —

MWSU’s Bird named to All-MIAA second team

Posted on April 26, 2013

Missouri Western senior golfer Natalie Bird has been named to the All-MIAA Second Team which announced by the league office on Friday (April 26) afternoon.

This past season Bird played in 10 events finishing with a stroke average of 80.9. She finished in the top five in three events and top ten in six events. She took first place at the Nebraska-Kearney Fall Classic back in September where she shot a 72 which was her lowest round of the season.

She finished in a tie for 7th at the MIAA Championships this past week shooting a 78. Individually, she looks to be in great position to be the first Griffon Women’s Golfer to qualify for the NCAA Tournament as she is currently ranked second individually in Super Region 3.

The NCAA Regional Tournament is set for May 5-7 at the St. Joseph Country Club in St. Joseph, Mo. The top nine teams and the top four individuals that are not on the top nine teams make the regional.

First Team All-MIAA

Aly Seng, Central Oklahoma *GOLFER OF THE YEAR*
Erica Bensch, Central Oklahoma
Cassie Lowell, Northwest Missouri
Kelsey Kirkpatrick, Northeastern State
Taylor Neidy, Central Oklahoma

Second Team All-MIAA

McCandren Lewis, Northeastern State *FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR*
Alex Koch, Northeastern State
Natalie Bird, Missouri Western
Katie Bensch, Central Oklahoma
Whitney McAteer, Northeastern State

MIAA Coach of the Year: Michael Bond, Central Oklahoma

— MWSU Sports Information —

K-State’s Brown selected by Baltimore in second round

Posted on April 26, 2013April 26, 2013

Kansas State’s streak of consecutive years of at least one player being taken in the NFL draft has run to 20 after linebacker Arthur Brown was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft Thursday by the Baltimore Ravens.

The 20-year streak is currently the second-longest among Big 12 Conference schools, behind only Texas. Brown, a Wichita native who became the 16th Wildcat ever to be drafted in the first two rounds, was taken by the Ravens with the 56th pick overall.

The 2012 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and FWAA First Team All-American, Brown led the team in tackles for a second-straight season with 100 stops, including seven TFLs and one sack in 2012. He also had two interceptions, one against West Virginia and the other he returned for a touchdown a week later against Texas Tech.

Aside from his All-America honors and Big 12 postseason honors, Brown was also a 2012 finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award while also earning his degree from K-State.

— KSU Sports Information —

Lynn, Beltran lead St. Louis past Pittsburgh for fourth straight win

Posted on April 26, 2013April 26, 2013

Lance Lynn pitched seven innings of one-run ball to extend his winning streak to nine games and Carlos Beltran homered from both sides of the plate and drove in three runs to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 9-1 win over Pittsburgh on Friday night in a game that saw two Pirates and their manager ejected.

Matt Carpenter and Beltran started the game with home runs for the Cardinals, who have won four straight and five of six.

Pirates starter Jonathan Sanchez (0-3) lasted just two more batters. He and manager Clint Hurdle were ejected after Sanchez hit Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig with a pitch.

Pirates hitting coach Jay Bell was ejected in the fifth inning for arguing after Starling Marte was hit by Lynn for the second straight time.

— Associated Press —

Northwest’s Lowell earns First Team All-MIAA honors

Posted on April 26, 2013April 26, 2013

The Northwest Missouri State golf team had a solid spring season with a second place finish at the Early Bird Invitational and a third place finish at the MIAA Championship and continue their Spring success as Cassie Lowell has been named First Team All-MIAA.

Cassie Lowell continues her outstanding career at Northwest after finishing her junior season. Lowell began her career winning MIAA freshman of the year in 2010-11. Her sophomore season, Lowell was named MIAA Player of the Year. Friday, the junior continued her impressive resume by being tabbed First Team All-MIAA.

Lowell had an impressive season winning the first tournament of the year at the Graceland Fall Invitational. The junior continued her solid fall season finishing second at the Bearcat Classic. At the MIAA Championship, Lowell shot a 76 and finished tied for third.

Cassie Lowell played 15 rounds in 2012-13 and averaged 80.73

— Northwest Sports Information —

Kansas basketball adds Arkansas transfer Hunter Mickelson

Posted on April 26, 2013

Kansas coach Bill Self has announced that forward Hunter Mickelson (6-foot-10, 245 pounds), has signed a grant-in-aid agreement to play men’s basketball at KU. A transfer from the University of Arkansas, Mickelson will sit out the 2013-14 season and will have two years eligibility at Kansas.

“Hunter is a young man that we recruited out of high school, offered a scholarship and he chose to stay close to home,” Self said. “He decided after two years at Arkansas that a change would do him good and we’re very excited about the change. He fits how we play. He’s long, very interchangeable and will be able to step away from the basket and stretch it. Defensively, he is a presence because he’s a shot blocker.”

Mickelson started 20 of 31 games played for Arkansas (19-12) in 2012-13, averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and led the Razorbacks with 39 blocked shots. The Jonesboro, Ark., native scored a career-high 16 points against Robert Morris (12/20/12) and grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds against Northwestern State (12/29/12).

Mickelson set the school freshman record with 72 blocks in leading the Razorbacks with 2.3 blocks per contest. Included was a seven-block game against LSU (1/14/12), tying the Arkansas SEC record for blocked shots in a game. Mickelson averaged 5.2 points and 3.7 rebounds in 2011-12 for Arkansas.

For his career, Mickelson started 25 of his 64 games played and averaged 5.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in his two seasons at Arkansas.

“I think the redshirt year will be great for him,” Self said. “It will give him the opportunity to get stronger, get confidence and get his game to the point where he can be a serious impact player for us the following year.”

— KU Sports Information —

Bearcats sweep Fort Hays State to extend win streak to seven

Posted on April 25, 2013

Make it seven wins in a row for the Northwest Missouri State baseball team who took both games of a double-header from Fort Hay State Thursday, winning game one 3-1 and taking game two 3-1 in walk-off fashion.

Austin Warren took the hill in game one and delivered a great performance to pick up his second win of the season. Warren needed only 78 pitches to get the complete game victory giving up four hits and one unearned run while striking out five.

Fort Hays and Northwest remained knotted up 0-0 until the Tigers struck in the top of the fourth inning plating the first run of the game.

The Bearcats answered in the bottom half of the fourth when Steven Garber ripped a double to left center field scoring Cam Bedard and Eric McGlauflin to go up 2-1. Paul Johnson came through with a two single to bring in Garber to add an insurance run and give his team a 3-1 lead.

Warren was able to shut the Tiger offense down the rest of the way out to secure the 3-1 victory.

Game two was another pitcher’s duel throughout the contest.

Bearcats starter Rob Henrichs went 7.0 strong innings allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out eight. While his counterpart, Alex Ellison, threw 8.1 innings of great baseball for the Tigers. Both starters received no decisions.

FHSU was able to get a run on the board in the fourth inning and held the 1-0 lead up until the bottom of the ninth.

Tyler Durant led off the ninth with a single to right center field, putting the tying run on first. Eric McGlauflin was able to put the sacrifice bunt down and move Durant to second base. Durant scampered home when Cam Bedard doubled to left center for the game tying RBI. Northwest was unable to get the winning run in as the game went into extra innings.

After the Tigers were shut down in the top half of the 10th inning, the Bearcats were ready to end the game. Ryan Abernathy walked to lead off the inning, and just like that the winning run was on first. Durant, who had scored the game tying run, was back up at the plate looking to win it. Durant took the first pitch of the at bat over the left center field wall for a two run home run that ended the game 3-1.

Nathanial Horton picked up the win in game two throwing the final 1.2 innings and striking out five.

Northwest improves to 21-25 on the season and 18-22 in the conference. Head Coach Darin Loe’s team will be back on the road this weekend taking on Pittsburg State for the final series of the season. Game one of the three game series is slated to start at 3 p.m. Saturday, with game two set to follow. The series finale will take place Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.

— Northwest Media Relations —