The Northwest Missouri State baseball team dropped a double header to Washburn on Saturday in MIAA action at Falley Field in Topeka, Kan. Northwest fell 7-5 in game one and 12-8 in game two. The Bearcats are now 15-13 overall and 10-10 in MIAA play. Washburn improved to 13-12 and 13-10 in conference action.

GAME ONE

Northwest fell behind early, giving up four runs in the first and two more in the third. In the fourth inning, Eric McGlauflin got the Bearcats on the board with his third homerun of the season, a solo shot to center field. Washburn would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth.

In the top of the seventh, Jon Pomatto scored after reaching on an error as Paul Johnson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Ryan Abernathy drove in Alex Singleton to cut the lead to 7-3. The next batter, McGlauflin, doubled and drove in Johnson and Brandon Huske to bring the game within two, 7-5. But Washburn got the final out on a grounder to short.

Hondo Pearcy started and went 2.1 innings, allowing six runs. McGlauflin finished the day going 2-for-3 with three RBI and one run scored. Singleton, Abernathy and Pomatto all recorded hits.

GAME TWO

Northwest held an early 1-0 lead before Washburn went on to score nine runs in the first four innings. The Bearcats tried to keep up the pace, adding two runs in the third, one in the fourth and four in the fifth but a three run sixth inning from Washburn put the game out of reach as Northwest fell, 12-8. Northwest threw six pitchers on the day but committed three errors.

Northwest took advantage of a wild pitch as Huske scored during McGlauflin’s first at bat. In the third, Ryan Abernathy hit his first homerun of the season, driving in Garrett Fort. In the fourth, Blake Hardegree singled in James Holler, who led off with a double. Northwest scored four in the fifth inning started by a sacrifice fly from McGlauflin to score Fort. Austin Wulff singled to score Abernathy and Wulff scored on an error. Holler would score the final run, advancing on a wild pitch.

McGlauflin went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Pomatto was 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

The series concludes tomorrow at 1 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team made it a clean sweep going 4-0 on the weekend as they swept Missouri Southern Saturday taking game one, 10-0 and then winning game two, 3-0, in walk off fashion.

Northwest got up early and never relinquished the lead scoring two in the bottom of the first inning on two hits.

The Bearcats added three more runs in the second inning with RBIs from Torri Blythe and Chantel Adams. Adams knocked in two with a double that hit off the top of the center field fence.

Steph Mark plated Cassidy Lee with a single up the middle in the third inning before Adams brought in another run on a bases loaded walk.

The Bearcats then put the game out of reach in the fourth inning scoring three runs on three hits to go up 10-0.

Abbie Vitosh earned the win as she tossed a complete game shutout. Vitosh allowed only three runners to reach base in the contest while striking out four for her fifth victory of the season.

Game two turned out to be a classic pitcher’s duel.

Sarah Baldwin was at the top of her game against Missouri Southern Saturday.

Baldwin gave up only one hit and did not allow a walk as she struck out eight Lion hitters. The sophomore pitcher continued to pitch into extra innings, striking out two batters and stranding one runner in the top of the eighth to give her team a chance to win it in the bottom half.

Lee walked to put the potential game winning run on first to start the bottom of the inning. Blythe then laid down a bunt and beat out the throw to put runners on first and second. Mark then came up and ended the game with a three run home run over the right center field wall.

This is the second home run of the walkoff variety for Mark in as many days. The first baseman leads the Bearcats with seven home runs on the season to go along with a team leading 31 RBI’s.

After the weekend sweep of Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern, Northwest is now 14-16, 7-7 on the season. The Bearcats will take a short break from conference play and travel to Truman State for a double header Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team fell on Friday afternoon to Washburn University, 7-0, at Falley Field in MIAA action. Northwest is now 15-11 overall and 10-8 in MIAA play while Washburn improved to 13-10 overall and 11-10 in conference action.

Washburn scored two runs in the second and two runs in the fourth before closing out the bottom of the eighth with three runs. Washburn outhit the Bearcats, 11-5. Northwest collected a pair of hits from Steven Garber on the afternoon, going 2-for-4. Ryan Abernathy, Eric McGlauflin and Austin Wulff all went 1-for-4. Austin Warren took the loss after going 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Andrew Trout and Daulton Perry each had scoreless outings.

The series continues tomorrow with a pair of seven-inning contests beginning at 1 p.m. in Topeka, Kan.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team managed to sweep Pittsburg State Friday in their home opener as they took game one 9-5 and then game two, 8-7, on the back of two late inning home runs.

Northwest plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning. Torri Blythe reached on a fielder’s choice and then stole second base for her team leading 14th stolen base of the season. Blythe scored from second when Steph Mark singled up the middle to put her team up 1-0.

The Bearcat offense then unloaded for eight runs on five hits in the bottom of the second inning to take a 9-0 lead.

PSU attempted a comeback over the next three innings as they scored three runs in the top of the fourth followed by one run in each of the next two innings.

The Gorillas fell short in their comeback attempt as Abbie Vitosh picked up the win in the 9-5 victory. Vitosh tossed a complete game while allowing three earned runs and striking out three.

The Bearcats took an early lead in game two as Jordan Ereth led off with a double and was knocked in by Blythe who singled through the right side. Chantel Adams brought in Blythe from first when she smacked a double to the left field fence to put her team up 2-0.

PSU tied the game up at 2-2 in the top of the third inning.

Maddie Jones gave Northwest back the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field.

The Gorillas plated three runs in the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead.

Two hits and a fielder’s choice led to the bases being loaded for Taszia Roseberry in the bottom half of the sixth. Roseberry then proceeded to hit a go-ahead grand slam to put her team up, 7-5.

PSU answered back with a two run home run in the top of the seventh to tie the game up at 7-7.

With one out away in the bottom of the seventh, Mark took the first pitch over the left center field wall for a, walk off, solo home run.

Sarah Baldwin threw a complete game and earned the win in the 8-7 victory. Baldwin struck out six while allowing only four earned runs.

The Bearcats move their season record to 12-16, 5-7 on the season. Northwest will have a quick turnaround as they take on conference foe Missouri Southern Saturday at Bearcat Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State men’s and women’s track and field teams were each ranked eighth in the 2014 MIAA Preseason Outdoor Track and Field Coaches Poll on Thursday. The men were eighth with 20 points while the women were tied with Fort Hays State for eighth place with 31 points.

Lincoln was picked to win the women’s poll with 100 points while Pittsburg State was chosen to top the men’s poll with 79 points.

Northwest will send host the Herschel Neil Decathlon and Ashley Nally Heptathlon starting on March 29. The Bearcats will also send a limited number of athletes to the Washington University (Mo.) Invite on March 28 in St. Louis, Mo.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State men’s and women’s tennis teams each picked up non-conference victories over Truman State on Wednesday. The men moved to 8-1 on the season with a 9-0 sweep over the Bulldogs. The women beat Truman State, 7-2, to move to 8-8 on the season.

The men picked up victories from Sergio De Vilchez, Romain Boissinot, Alvaro Riveros, Julien Currone, Hicham Azzaoui and Fin Glowick on the singles side. De Vilchez and Altimires won at No. 1 doubles, Riveros and Currone won at No. 2 doubles and Romain Boissinot teamed with Amery Clews for a win at No. 3 doubles.

On the women’s side, Lorena Rivas Jarolim, Alexis Bartek, Aniek Kolen, Stephanie Mannix and Marianne Hull all won on the singles side for the Bearcats. In doubles, the team of Jarolim and Bartek won at No. 1 while Kolen and Mannix won at No. 2.

Both Northwest men’s and women’s teams will take on Harding University on Friday, March 28 in Bolivar, Mo.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State senior guard DeShaun Cooper has been named to the Division II All-America team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The team is selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC.

Cooper was the MIAA Player of the Year for the Bearcats. He was also a first team All-Central Region selection from CoSIDA/Daktronics and was a first team All-Central District honoree from the NABC.

He earned All-Central Region tournament honors as Northwest finished the year at 24-9 after reaching the Sweet 16.

Cooper finished his Northwest career ranking first in assist average (4.3 apg), second in career assists (489), third in three pointers (170), third in free throws made (440), fourth in points (1,702), sixth in field goals made (546) and seventh in steals (132).

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State senior guard DeShaun Cooper has been selected by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to participate in the 2014 Reese’s® Division II College All-Star game. The game will be played as part of the 2014 NCAA® Division II Men’s Basketball Championship. Reese’s is the official candy partner of the NCAA.

The Reese’s Division III College All-Star game will be played on Friday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m. (EDT), at The Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. The teams are composed of two senior student-athletes from each of the eight regions in Division II and four at-large selections. The Reese’s All-Star game is being played during the 2014 NCAA Men’s Division II Elite Eight.

Cooper was the MIAA Player of the Year for the Bearcats. He was also a first team All-Central Region selection from CoSIDA/Daktronics and was a first team All-Central District honoree from the NABC. He earned All-Central Region tournament honors as Northwest finished the year at 24-9 after reaching the Sweet 16.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team fell to Fort Hays State, 12-11, on Sunday afternoon in 10 innings at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. The Bearcats held an 11-8 advantage heading into the bottom of the ninth but the Tigers rallied, scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth and plated the winning run in the 10th. Northwest is now 14-10 on the year and 10-7 in MIAA play.

The Bearcats jumped out to an early 9-6 lead, scoring four runs in the first and five in the second. But with Hays keeping pace, Northwest added two runs in the seventh to take an 11-6 lead. But FHSU would score two in the seventh and added three in the ninth to force extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th, Hays scored the winning run on an error with two outs.

Ryan Abernathy, Eric McGlauflin and Austin Wulff each picked up two its, scored two runs and had two RBI on the day. Derek Meyer had a two-RBI double and Brandon Huske, who drew two walks, had an RBI and crossed the plate twice.

The Bearcats used six pitchers on the day. Andrew “Bex” Trout started the game and was relieved by Kole Klocko, Tanner Smith, Blane Reutter and Taylor Brunch. Friday’s starter Ryker Fox pitched the last 3.1 innings and was charged with the loss.

Northwest will host Rockhurst on Wednesday at 2 p.m. before returning to MIAA action with a four-game series at Washburn starting on Friday.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team was unable to generate consistent offense against Minnesota State Sunday as they fell 2-0.

The Mavericks were able to plate one run in the bottom of the third and another in the bottom of the fifth while their starting pitching was able to silence the Bearcat offense.

Northwest was unable to string hits together to get runners on the board as they managed four hits, stranding five runners over seven innings.

Sarah Baldwin went the distance for the complete game loss as she gave up two runs on five hits, while striking out six and not allowing a walk.

Steph Mark, Madison Jones and Torri Blythe were responsible for the Bearcats hits in the game. Blythe was 2 for 3 with a stolen base as she extended her hit streak to seven games.

Northwest, who is now 10-6, will have a couple days off before returning to conference play. The Bearcats will host Pittsburg State Friday for their home opener. First pitch at Bearcat Field is scheduled for 2 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —