The Northwest Missouri State women’s tennis squad dropped a close match to NCAA Division I UMKC 4-3 Monday at the Frank Grube Courts.

Northwest fell to 4-6 on the season while UMKC improved to 9-7 overall. The Bearcats will look to get back on the winning track when they open MIAA play on Wednesday when they travel to Lincoln for a 3 p.m. match with the Blue Tigers.

Playing with Division I scoring rules, UMKC took the doubles point after winning No. 2 and No. 3 doubles.

In singles action the Bearcats were able to split with the Kangaroos taking No. 1 singles with Camila Quesada knocking off Eva Dalvai.

Alexis Bartek won No. 3 singles, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 while Steph Mannix won her No. 5 singles match 6-3, 6-4.

UMKC 4, NW Missouri State 3
March 26, 2012 at Maryville, Mo.

Doubles
1. Camila Quesada/Alexis Bartek (NWMSU) def. Eva Dalvai/Laura Bouet (UMKC) 8-4
2. Susan Lisenby/Amelie Amsallem (UMKC) def. Leslee Feldhaus/Erika Leston (NWMSU) 8-5
3. Maddie Schultz/G. Pintos (UMKC) def. Kim Ho/Emily Hoffoman (NWMSU)8-3

Singles
1. Camila Quesada (NWMSU) def. Eva Dalvai
2. Laura Bouet (UMKC) def. Erika Leston (NWMSU) 6-4, 6-1
3. Alexis Bartek (NWMSU) def. Amelie Amsallem (UMKC) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
4. Maddie Schultz (UMKC) def. Kim Ho (NWMSU) 6-3, 6-1
5. Steph Mannix (NWMSU) def. Susan Lindsey (UMKC) 6-3, 6-4
6. Jillian Yakominich (UMKC) def. Emily Hoffman (NWMSU) 6-3, 6-2

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Cameron Bedard went a perfect 4-for-4 to lead the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats past the Missouri Southern Lions 9-4 Sunday afternoon at Bearcat Field to gain a key split of the four game series.

With the win, Northwest improves to 7-17 on the season and 6-10 in MIAA play while the Lions fall to 17-7 overall and 10-6 in conference play.

Northwest got off to a hot start as Ryan Abernathy, Bedard, and Eric Swain would record singles in the bottom of first to help pate three runs for the Bearcats and give them the early 3-0 advantage.

The Lions would answer in the top of the second as they would score one run on one hit while tacking on another run in the third.

Bedard’s bat would stay hot in the third as he would single to right field.  A Lions’ error would plate Bedard putting Northwest up 4-2.

The Lions would rally in the fifth as they would plate two runs on one hit to even the score at 4-4.

The Bearcat bats would not be silenced in the fifth as Abernathy and Swain would each record their second hits of the afternoon.  Steven Garber would single as well helping the Bearcats put two runs on the board and regain the lead.

Bedard would lead off the seventh with a single through the right side and a sacrifice fly by Jake Kretzer would push Bedard across the plate tacking on one for Northwest.

Northwest would not be done scoring however as they would push two more runs across in bottom of the eighth thanks to hits from Bedard and Swain to give the Bearcats the 9-4 advantage.

On the mound, Carson Smith would take over in the fifth and silence the Lions the rest of the way, making the Northwest lead stand up.

Smith was aided by an incredible double play in the seventh when Kretzer came up with a diving play in right-center field before doubling the runner off of first base.

Smith recorded his second win of the weekend, allowing just one hit while striking out three over five shutout innings of work.

Abernathy and Swain would record multiple hits for Northwest in the win.

“The fourth game of a series is often decided by energy and desire,” Head Coach Darin Loe said.  “Our guys had tremendous energy from the first pitch all the way through the last.”

Up Next: The Bearcats will take on Rockhurst University this Tuesday in non-conference action.  First pitch from Loyola Park in Kansas City is set for 3 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats fell 4-2 and 7-2 to the Missouri Southern Lions Saturday afternoon from Bearcat Field.

With the losses, Northwest moves to 6-17 on the season and 5-10 in MIAA play while the Lions improve to 17-6 overall and 10-5 in conference play.

In game one, Missouri Southern came out swinging as they would jump out to the early 1-0 lead in the first.

The Bearcats would even the score in the fourth inning when Eric McGlauflin belted his second home run of the season over the right-field fence.

Northwest would take a 2-1 lead in the sixth thanks to a Tyler Durant double to center field that scored Cameron Bedard.

The final frame would see the Lions rally as they would plate three runs on three hits to take a 4-2 lead.

Tyler Durant and McGlauflin each recorded two hits for the Bearcats in the loss.

Jace Anderson recorded the loss on the mound for the Bearcats going 6.2 innings and allowing five hits while striking out one.

Game two saw the Lions picking up where they left off in game one as they would take a 1-0 lead in the second.

The Lions bats would stay hot as they plated two runs in the third and two more in the fourth to take the 5-0 advantage.

The Bearcats would get on the board in the fifth as a Tyler Durant single to left field scored Eric Swain.

Missouri Southern would add two runs in the top of the seventh to take the 7-2 lead.

Tyler Durant led the Bearcats offensively in the loss recording two hits.

Up Next: The Bearcats and Lions conclude their four-game series Sunday afternoon with first pitch from Bearcat Field set for noon.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Continuing an eight game road swing the Northwest Missouri State softball team dropped a MIAA double header at Pittsburg State, 8-2 and 15-7 Saturday evening at the PSU Softball Complex.

The Bearcats fell to 11-15 on the season and 2-7 in league play after battling to get back to the .500 mark at the beginning of their road trip that concludes on Sunday at Missouri Southern. PSU improved to 13-16 on the season and 2-0 in its first conference series of the year.

Northwest jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a Kristen Uthe two-run homer in the top of the first inning. However the Gorillas got an outstanding effort in the circle shutting out the Bearcats over the final six innings.

PSU starter, Hilary Erbert, scattered six hits in a complete game effort for the win.

Erbert got the run support needed as the Gorillas scratched back a run in the bottom of the first and plated four runs in the third. That would be all PSU needed as Erbert finished a solid outing with her defense behind her as she only walked two and struck out two.

Jenna Creger picked up the loss for Northwest as the junior failed to get out of the third inning.

In game two PSU prevailed in an offensive showcase as both teams combined for 32 hits and 22 runs in the nightcap.

Unfortunately, the Bearcats came up on the short end of the offensive blowout.

Northwest again got on the board in the top of the first inning after an RBI single from Uthe scored Hailee Hendricks putting the Bearcats up 1-0. However, PSU would answer with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to take the lead and never look back.

The Gorillas broke the game open in the bottom of the second inning as they blasted four home runs in the inning pushing five runs across to extend its lead to 7-1. In the home run barrage, PSU blasted back-to-back-to-back homers before the Bearcats recorded the third out.

After adding a run in the second Northwest threatened with Kayli Schurman’s ninth home run of the season. The Bearcats pushed two more runs across in the in the visitor half of the fourth via two PSU errors, but the Gorillas answered each time and ended the game in the sixth with five runs putting the run rule in effect.

Jordan Ereth and Hendricks each had two hits in the second game.

Northwest closes out its spring break road swing on Sunday with a double header at Missouri Southern. First pitch from Joplin is set for noon.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats got back to their winning ways Friday afternoon as they rallied to beat the Missouri Southern Lions 8-6 at Bearcat Field.

With the win, Northwest moves to 6-15 on the season and 5-8 in MIAA play while the Lions recorded their fifth consecutive loss.

Northwest struck first in the second inning when Jake Kretzer singled through the left-side to score Eric McGlauflin to give the Bearcats the 1-0 advantage.

The Bearcats continued the scoring in the third tacking on another run thanks to a Tyler Durant single that plated Cameron Bedard to put Northwest up 2-0.

Missouri Southern would rally in the top of the fourth as they would plate four runs on four hits to take the 4-2 lead.

The Bearcat bats would get hot in the fifth inning as Bedard would lead off the inning with a single up the middle.  Eric Swain would follow suit and add a single of his own to left field.  A Tyler Durant single to left field would plate Bedard.

Kretzer would keep the rally going with a two-run single through the left side.  Singles by Travis Green and Ryan Abernathy would plate two more runs for Northwest giving them the 7-4 advantage.

The Lions scored two runs in the top of the sixth to bring them within one but that would be as close as they would get.

Northwest added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a Steven Garber single giving the Bearcats an 8-6 lead.

Josh Parrish would pitch three scoreless innings of relief for Northwest in the win striking out one while allowing just one hit to record his third save of the season.  Parrish has not allowed a run in his past three outings and has tossed seven consecutive scoreless innings.

Carson Smith recorded his first career win on the mound for Northwest moving his record to 1-2.

Cody Griebling would record the loss for the Lions, his first loss of the season.

Tyler Durant and Jake Kretzer lead the Bearcats offensively with two hits apiece in the win.

“Our offense did a tremendous job of battling back against one of the top pitchers in the MIAA,” Northwest Head Coach Darin Loe said. “Once we were able to get the lead Josh Parrish continued to do a tremendous job by closing out a tight ballgame against a very quality opponent.”

Up Next: The Bearcats and Lions continue their four-game series Saturday afternoon with first pitch of the double-header from Bearcat Field slated for 1p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team could not complete the comeback as they fell 8-6 to the second-ranked Central Missouri Mules Sunday afternoon at Bearcat Field.

With the loss, Northwest fell to 5-15 on the season and 4-8 in MIAA play while the Mules improved to 16-1 overall and 11-1 in league play.

The Bearcats would start the scoring as Eric Swain belted a two-run home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the first, his seventh home run of the season, to put Northwest up 2-0.

The Mules would answer in the top of the second to even the score at 2-2.

Central Missouri would add two runs in the top of the third and plate four more runs in the fourth to hold the 8-2 advantage.

Northwest would chip away at the Mules lead starting in the fifth inning thanks to a Ryan Abernathy double.  A Swain sacrifice fly to left field would plate Abernathy.

Steven Garber would get another run on the board for the Bearcats in the sixth as he would plate Jake Kretzer off of a single up the middle.

The Bearcats would continue to chip away at the Mules lead in the seventh thanks to singles from Eric McGlauflin and Swain.  A Tyler Durant sacrifice fly would plate McGlauflin and bring put the score at 8-5 Mules going into the eighth.

Josh Parrish would give the Bearcat offense a chance to rally from the six run deficit with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.  Parrish did not allow a hit while striking out three.

A Bearcat rally would fall short in the ninth but not before McGlauflin would push Abernathy across the plate with an RBI double.  A two-out single and stolen base by Jake Kretzer with two outs put the tying run in scoring position before the final out of the game was recorded by Jordan Coons.

Swain and Abernathy each recorded multiple hits for the Bearcats going 3-for-5 and 2-for-4 respectively.

Kretzer, McGlauflin and Cole Mapes each recorded two hits in the loss as well.

Up Next: The Bearcats will host Rockhurst University this Tuesday in non-conference action.  First pitch from Bearcat Field is slated for 1 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

The second-ranked Central Missouri Mules lived up to their ranking Saturday afternoon as they took two games from the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, 8-1 and 3-1 at Bearcat Field.

Northwest fell to 5-14 on the season and 4-7 in MIAA play while the Mules improved to 15-1 overall and 10-1 in league play.

In the opener, the Mules jumped out to an early lead on the Bearcats pushing two runs across the plate in the first.

Central Missouri would plate six runs in the top of the third to give them the 8-0 lead.

A Jake Kretzer double in the bottom of the seventh would score the only Bearcat run of the game as he would bring in Tyler Durant who had led off the inning with a single down the right field line.

Solid pitching by the Mules would silence the Bearcat bats allowing just four Northwest hits.

Jace Anderson would take the loss for the Bearcats on the mound.

In game two, Chase Anderson was a force to be reckoned with on the mound as he would go 6.0 innings while allowing nine hits and striking out one.

Central Missouri would again strike early as they plated one run in the first and another in the third to take the 2-0 lead.

Tyler Durant tripled to start the Northwest part of the fourth.  Steven Garber would follow Durant’s triple with a single up the middle to score Durant bringing the Bearcats within one.

Central Missouri would tack on more run in the seventh giving them the 3-1 advantage.

A Bearcat comeback was not in the cards as Northwest would strand three base runners in the bottom of the seventh giving the Mules the 3-1 win.

Ryan Abernathy and Tyler Durant would each record two hits for the Bearcats in the loss.

Up Next: The Bearcats and Mules conclude their four-game series Sunday afternoon with first pitch from Bearcat Field slated for noon.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball was swept Saturday by Emporia State 7-2 and 8-0 in MIAA action from the Trusler Softball Complex.

The Bearcats fell to 11-13 on the season and 2-4 in league play while the Lady Hornets improved to 16-6 overall and 9-0 in the MIAA. It was the fourth straight loss for the Bearcats who faced the top two teams in the league back-to-back as they will continue an eight-game road trip next weekend at Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern.

Hailee Hendricks provided the first run for Northwest in game one, as her RBI single in the first inning scored Jordan Ereth. The Lady Hornets would answer in the bottom half of the first to tie the game at 1-1.

In the third inning the Bearcat pitching staff found trouble as a bases loaded walk gave the Lady Hornets a 2-1 lead. Northwest starter Jenna Creger got the next batter to fly out leaving the bases loaded. Creger scattered seven hits over five innings striking out six and walking three while taking the loss.

Northwest would tie the game again in the fifth inning when Ereth tripled to lead off the inning. Kristen Uthe picked up her second hit of the game as she singled home Ereth.

However, ESU would rally back to take the lead in the fifth inning and then added four runs for insurance in the sixth to hold on for the win.

In game two it was all Emporia State as the Lady Hornets jumped out in front with six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Paige Blythe came on in relief to pitch four innings out of the bullpen and scattering six hits.

Blythe gave up two runs in the bottom of the fifth as the run rule came into effect ending the game.

Hendricks added two more hits in game two while Ereth went 3-for- 3 with two runs scored in game one.

Northwest returns to the field Friday as they wrap up their road swing with a double header at Pittsburg State on Saturday and a twin bill on Sunday at Missouri Southern.

— NWMSU Sports Information —