EMPORIA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State baseball team completed the three-day, three-game sweep of Emporia State Sunday, scoring six runs late in the game to outscore the Hornets 12-6.

Peter Carlson hit a pair of homers – two-run, grand slam – as he went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and six RBI.

The Bearcats wasted no time getting on the board, plating one run in the top of the first inning. Carlson led off the inning getting hit by a pitch and giving Northwest its first baserunner. Carlson advanced to second on the next at bat after junior infielder Calvin Rudolph slapped a single through the left side of the infield. With no outs, junior first baseman Connor Quick singled to right field, scoring Carlson.

Like the Bearcat offense, the Hornet offense heated up early. Emporia State successfully crossed five runs in the home half of the first, taking the lead from Northwest 5-1. The Hornets hit two doubles and two home runs on the inning.

After quiet second and third innings by both squads, Northwest tallied three more in the top of the fourth. After the first two batters of the inning were retired, senior outfielder Derek Hussey reached on a throwing error by Emporia State. After stealing second, Hussey was batted in for the first run of the inning following senior catcher Jay Hrdlicka’s single to center field. Senior infielder Mondesi Gutierrez recorded his first hit of the ball game, tripling down the left field line, scoring Hrdlicka. The third RBI of the inning was attributed to senior infielder Logan Rycraft, singling to left field and scoring Gutierrez.

The next run of the contest came in the home half of the sixth as Emporia State increased its lead over Northwest to 6-4. The run came off a solo shot to center field, giving the Hornets their third of the afternoon.

The Bearcats answered in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs and tying the game up at six runs apiece heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. After Rycraft hit a leadoff single to right field, Carlson stepped into the box and crushed his first homer of the day, recording two RBI.

After forcing Emporia State into a three-up, three-down inning in the seventh, the Northwest bats got back to work plating six runs in the top of the eighth and taking a convincing 12-6 lead. With one out, Hrdlicka walked, getting the rally started. Hrdlicka advanced to second on the next at bat after Gutierrez singled to right field. Rycraft walked next, loading the bases for the Bearcats. Following a Hornet pitching change, Carlson smashed a grand slam over the left field wall on the first pitch he saw, clearing the base paths and recording his second deep ball of the afternoon. Rudolph kept things going for Northwest succeeding the home run by singling to center field and crossed home plate on the next at bat after Quick hit the second home run of the inning to left center, completing the six-run inning.

The Bearcat pitching staff forced the Hornets into another three-up, three-down inning in the bottom of the eighth with senior Trevor Dudar finishing off the Hornets in the ninth. Five Northwest pitchers, including Dudar, saw the bump during the game with Joe Funkhouser getting the start. Freshman Gibson Brown and Alex Slocum and junior Ethan Griswold came in for relief during the contest.

Northwest (23-25 overall, 18-15 MIAA) secured the No. 7 seed in the MIAA Tournament with the victory.

NOTES: Quick extended his team-high, 32-game on-base streak … six Bearcats notched multi-hit outings (Carlson, Rudolph, Quick, Gastner, Gutierrez, Rycraft) … Brown pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up four hit and no runs … Brown entered the game after Funkhouser retired only two batters and gave up five runs in the first.

— Northwest Athletics —

EMPORIA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team clinched its third consecutive winning season in the MIAA with a 7-3 road win over Emporia State University on Saturday.

Starter Quintin Van Ackeren went eight innings, Derek Hussey posted his first four-hit game of his collegiate career and Matt Gastner launched a three-run homer in the seventh to lift the Bearcats to their second straight win over the Hornets.

After a quiet first inning, the Bearcats got on the scoreboard in the second when Hussey launched a solo homer to left field.

In the home half of the third, the Hornets returned the favor and hit a solo shot of their own; flying one to left field and evening the score up at one run apiece.
After Northwest went scoreless in the top of the fourth, Emporia State plated two more with a two-run shot in the bottom of the inning to take the lead, 3-1.

As both teams put zeros on the scoreboard during the fifth and sixth innings, the Bearcat offense heated up in the top of the seventh. Northwest rallied to score five runs on three hits and take the lead back from Emporia State, 6-3. Mondesi Gutierrez led off the inning by reaching on a Hornet error and giving the Bearcats life on the base paths. Gutierrez was called out at second on a fielder’s choice as Logan Rycraft reached first base. Rycraft advanced to third on the next at bat after a wild pitch was thrown. Peter Carlson reached on another fielder’s choice, giving Northwest runners on first and third. Rycraft was driven in from third base and Carlson moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Calvin Rudolph who reached base on the play. The Bearcats drove in their second run of the inning as Connor Quick singled to right field, scoring Carlson from second and advancing Rudolph to third base. Gastner stepped into the box with two outs and capped the five-run rally by smashing a three-run home run to left.

Northwest would add one more insurance run in the top of the ninth to increase their lead to 7-3 over Emporia State.

Trevor Dudar worked the ninth to secure the Bearcat victory. Northwest improved to 22-25 overall and 17-15 in MIAA action.

The Bearcats and Hornets will be back in action tomorrow for game three of the series at 12 p.m. at the Trusler Sports Complex. Sunday will mark the conclusion of the Bearcats’s regular season slate with the MIAA Tournament set for May 9-12 at Al Ortolani Field in Pittsburg, Kansas.

NOTES: The last time Northwest had three consecutive winning seasons in the MIAA came in 2006, 2007 and 2008 … Van Ackeren threw 98 pitches and scattered seven hits over nine innings and moved to 5-2 on the year … Quick has reached base in 31 consecutive games.

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State University junior shortstop Kaitlyn Weis has been named to the 2019 All-MIAA honorable mention softball team.

Weis (Gretna, Nebraska/Skutt Catholic HS) led the MIAA in slugging percentage (.776). Weis set the Northwest single-season record for slugging percentage in a season for the second straight season. Weis had a .743 slugging percentage in 2018. Her .776 slugging percentage this season is the highest in the MIAA since 2016 (Kate Ruwe, Nebraska-Kearney – .899).

Weis also topped the Bearcats in batting average (.383), doubles (10), home runs (10), total bases (83), walks (14), on-base percentage (.455) and assists (59).

2019 MIAA Postseason Award
Player of the Year: JoBi Heath – Central Oklahoma
Defensive Player of the Year: Kala Holder – Pittsburg State
Pitcher of the Year: Bailey McKittrick – Central Oklahoma
Freshman of the Year: Carlee Liesch – Nebraska Kearney
Coach of the Year: Cody White – Central Oklahoma

2019 All-MIAA Teams
First-Team
Pitcher: Bailey McKittrick – Central Oklahoma
Pitcher: Sydney McLeod – Central Oklahoma
Catcher: Alexis Howe – Nebraska Kearney
First Base: Carli Jones – Central Oklahoma
Second Base: Kaity Kukowski – Pittsburg State
Shortstop: Taylor Kirk – Washburn
Third Base: JoBi Heath – Central Oklahoma
Outfield: Hazel Puempel – Central Oklahoma
Outfield: Morgan Frost – Missouri Western
Outfield: Carlee Liesch – Nebraska Kearney
Outfield: Samantha Stallbaumer – Washburn
Designated Player: Brea Blanton – Missouri Western
Utility/Pitcher: Stormee Galka – Lindenwood
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Kala Holder – Pittsburg State
Includes Ties In Voting

Second-Team
Pitcher: Taurean Guzman – Missouri Southern
Pitcher: Kaili Hinds – Missouri Western
Pitcher: Gail Young – Northeastern State
Pitcher: Halle Brin – Pittsburg State
Pitcher: Raegen Hamm – Washburn
Catcher: Sara Breckbill – Fort Hays State
First Base: Camryn Pryor – Lincoln
Second Base: Sydni Hawkins – Missouri Western
Shortstop: Austine Pauley – Lindenwood
Third Base: Cheyenne Hamilton – Nebraska Kearney
Outfielder: Lexy Dobson – Central Oklahoma
Outfielder: Bailey Thompson – Central Oklahoma
Outfielder: Lauryn Deer – Central Missouri
Designated Player: Gabby Biondo – Emporia State
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Winter Henry – Washburn
Includes Ties In Voting

All-MIAA Honorable Mention
Central Missouri: Alexa Bradley – Pitcher, Ashlyn Cook – Outfield, Hailey Crabtree – First Base, Taylor Dames – Outfield, Alexis Koop – Second Base, Makenzie McAtee – Designated Player, Jessica Sader – Pitcher

Central Oklahoma: Allie Eicher – Designated Player, Casady Webb – Second Base

Emporia State: Cassidy Beem – Catcher, Kenzie Garvin – Outfield, Valerie Kinney – Utility/Non-Pitcher, Hannah Steeby – Shortstop

Fort Hays State: Terran Caldwell – Outfield, Hailey Chapman – Pitcher, Lily Sale – Shortstop

Lincoln: Jordan Lawson – Outfield

Lindenwood: Hannah Porter – First Base

Missouri Southern: Lexi Ferrari – Utility/Non-Pitcher, Makaila Leonhart – Second Base, Josie Tofpi – Shortstop

Missouri Western: Gabi Carter – First Base, Emma Hoffart- Third Base, Cassidy Kelsheimer – Catcher

Nebraska Kearney: Sarah Handrahan – Pitcher, Alexis Ray – Outfield, Sara Sempek – First Base

Northeastern State: Haley Acrey – Third Base, Alyssia Crick – Designated Player, Sierra Crick – Outfield, Kyla Ibarra – Catcher, Maddie Boyd – Second Base

Northwest Missouri: Kaitlyn Weis – Shortstop

Pittsburg State: Dru Collins – Pittsburg State, Makenzie Goswick – First Base

Washburn: Brianna Fuchs – Outfield, Savannah Moore – Third Base, Bailey Zuniga – Pitcher

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State University head women’s basketball coach Austin Meyer has inked a seventh signee for the 2019-2020 recruiting class.

Ellie Horn is a 6’3″ center from Newton, Iowa. Horn began her collegiate career at Des Moines Area Community College where she averaged 12.0 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field in conference play. She led the ICCAC in blocks (58). Horn earned second-team all-region honors as a sophomore in 2018-19 at DMACC.

She helped guide DMACC to 36 wins in two seasons for head coach Steve Krafcisin.

Horn earned first-team NJCAA all-academic first-team honors as a sophomore. She also earned academic all-region status.

She is the daughter of James and Neisha Horn.

2019-20 Bearcat Women’s Basketball Signees
Kayla Chapman          5’9″       G         Treynor, Iowa (Treynor HS)
Emma Atwood            5’10”     G         Leon, Iowa (Central Decatur HS)
Jayna Green               6’1″       G/F     Omaha, Nebraska (Millard North HS)
Savannah Guenther   5’11”      G        Grayslake, Illinois (Grayslake North HS)
Ellie Horn                    6’3″       C         Newton, Iowa (Newton HS/DMACC)
Chaise Pfanstiel         5’7″       G         Omaha, Nebraska (Millard West HS)
Paityn Rau                 6’2″        F         Waukee, Iowa (Waukee HS)

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – The Lindenwood Lions earned a series victory over the Northwest Missouri State University baseball team as the Lions posted an 8-3 win at the Bearcat Baseball Field on Sunday.

Lindenwood’s Blake Beckmann and Tyler Cassmeyer limited Northwest to three runs. Bearcat senior Jay Hrdlicka managed two of Northwest’s six hits.

In the top of the first inning, Lindenwood didn’t waste any time and put three runs on the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the second, the Bearcat offense successfully drove in a run, initiated by sophomore infielder Peter Carlson’s lead-off double to right center. Carlson advanced to third on a ground out by senior catcher Alixon Herrera and eventually brought in by senior catcher Jay Hrdlicka, decreasing the Lion lead to 3-1.

After a quiet third and fourth innings by both squads, Lindenwood led off the top of the fifth inning by tacking on three more runs and increasing its lead to 6-1 over Northwest.

The Northwest offense plated a single run in the fifth. Senior outfielder Derek Hussey led off the inning by being hit by a pitch and giving the Bearcats some life on the base path. Hussey advanced to second on a ground out by senior infielder Logan Rycraft and was driven in on a two-out double slapped down the left field line by junior first baseman Connor Quick.

Following the famous seventh inning stretch, Northwest notched another run in the bottom of the inning to claw back at the Lindenwood lead, 6-3. With one out, Hussey smacked a well-hit ball to the shortstop, beating out the throw to first base and notching a single. Rycraft stepped into the box next and was hit by a pitch, giving the Bearcats runners on first and second. During Rudolph’s at bat, Rycraft and Hussey advance to second and third on a wild pitch with Rudolph eventually walking to load the bases. In the next at bat, Quick lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Hussey. Northwest stranded two baserunners in the inning.

Lindenwood added single runs in the eighth and ninth to give it an 8-3 lead over Northwest, ultimately being the final score of the ball game.

On the mound, junior Joe Funkhouser got the start for the Bearcats, dealing four and 1/3 innings. Funkhouser allowed six runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out five.

Northwest falls to 20-25, 15-15 MIAA, while Lindenwood improves to 25-21, 17-13 MIAA.

The Bearcats will be back in action for their last regular season series May 3-5 as they prepare to take on Emporia State in Emporia, Kansas.

NOTES: Northwest honored nine seniors prior to the game … the Bearcat senior class has contributed 105 victories over the past four seasons.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – The Lindenwood Lions evened the weekend series against the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat baseball team with an 18-5 triumph in seven innings on Saturday at the Bearcat Baseball Field.

The Lions scored 18 runs on 19 hits and took advantage of four Bearcat errors.

After a quiet first inning by both squads, the Bearcats (20-24, 15-14 MIAA) got on the scoreboard first following sophomore Peter Carlson’s solo home run to left. This would be the first of three home runs hit by either team of the afternoon.

Lindenwood evened up the score at one run apiece in the top of the third inning, hitting back-to-back doubles. The Lions had the opportunity to score another run on the at bat, but was called back due to runner interference.

The Northwest bats heated back up in the home half of the third inning, scoring three runs on four hits and retaking the lead, 4-1. Senior infielder Logan Rycraft got the inning started by hitting a lead-off single and then was advanced to second after a successful sacrifice bunt by junior infielder Calvin Rudolph. Junior first baseman Connor Quick doubled to left-center, scoring Rycraft. With two outs, sophomore infielder Peter Carlson stepped into the batter’s box and slapped a single to left field, scoring Quick for the second run of the inning. After Carlson advanced to second on a wild pitch, sophomore infielder Matt Gastner ripped a single to left, scoring Carlson.

In the top of the fourth, Lindenwood quickly found itself with runners on second and third with one out. Freshman third baseman Ryan Venne stepped into the box and crushed a three-run homer to right field. The Lions tied up the contest at 4-4 heading into the bottom of the inning.

After the Bearcats stranded two runners in the home half of the fourth, home plate got busy in the fifth inning. Lindenwood crossed nine runs with six being attributed to two three-run shots hit by senior first baseman Neil Fischer and senior outfielder D.J. Miller. This would be Miller’s second home run of the series as the Lions took a 13-4 lead over the Bearcats.

Lindenwood would go onto score three runs in the top of the sixth and two in the top of the seventh extending its lead to 18-4.

Northwest crossed one in the bottom of the seventh to bring the final margin to 18-5 after redshirt freshman Jordan Peck hit a one-out double down the left field line. Peck advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by senior catcher Jay Hrdlicka.

First pitch is set for game three of the series at 1 p.m. Sunday in Maryville. Northwest will honor nine seniors prior to the opening pitch of Sunday’s final home regular season contest.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – The Washburn University Ichabod softball team swept the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats in a doubleheader on a blustery Saturday at the Bearcat Softball Field.

Washburn won the opener, 4-1, and the second game in six innings, 9-1.

GAME ONE
Regan Thompson tossed a complete game five-hitter, but came up on the short end a of 4-1 decision to Washburn starter Bailey Zuniga.

Thompson allowed four runs (two earned) and struck out two without walking a batter.

Zuniga allowed only three hits and one unearned run in moving to 13-8 on the year.

Oliva Daugherty had two of the Bearcat hits. One of Daugherty’s hits was a triple to right field and then she scored when the attempted throw to get her out at third went awry.

GAME TWO
Washburn starter Raegen Hamm tossed a six-hit complete game and gave up one run in a 9-1, six-inning victory for the Ichabods.

Seniors Jaedra Moses and Kiana Baderdeen each tallied two hits in the contest.

NOTES: Northwest honored its four seniors (Jaclyn Weydert, Kiana Baderdeen, Jaedra Moses and Kenzi Sutton) prior to the game … the Bearcat seniors led Northwest to 104 wins over the last four seasons … Northwest closes its 2019 season with a mark of 11-28 overall and 6-20 in the MIAA.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARVYILLE, Missouri – The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team picked up another MIAA win with a 14-10 triumph over Lindenwood University in the first game of a three-game weekend set on Friday.

Northwest (20-23 overall, 15-13 MIAA) generated 15 hits and turned it over to closer Trevor Dudar to get the final four outs in the three-hour, 52-minute contest.

Both squads dented the scoreboard in the first inning. Following a single to lead off the game, senior D.J. Miller clobbered a home run ball to deep left center field. The two-run shot allowed the Lions to take the early 2-0 lead.

In the home half of the inning, senior infield Logan Rycraft led off and was hit by a pitch to give Northwest its first baserunner. Rycraft would go on to be hit three times during the game. After junior infielder Calvin Rudolph reached on a hit by pitch, first baseman Conner Quick singled, scoring Rycraft and moving Rudolph to third. Rudolph scored on the very next pitch after senior catcher Alixon Herrera grounded out. Northwest tied the game at two runs apiece heading into the second.

After shutting Lindenwood down in the top of the inning, the Bearcats tacked on another run during a run down play that scored sophomore outfielder Matt Gastner. The Bearcats would add another single run in the third to take the lead, 4-2.

Following a quiet fourth inning by both squads, home plate got busy during the fifth. The Lions led off the fifth by scoring three runs on four hits and retaking the lead back from the Bearcats, 5-4.

Northwest had its largest scoring inning of the afternoon in the fifth, scoring five runs on five hits and stole the lead back from Lindenwood, 9-5. The Bearcats successfully loaded the bases twice during the inning, scoring the first two runs on senior infielder Mondesi Gutierrez’s single to center. Sophomore infielder Peter Carlson and senior infielder Jay Hrdlicka scored on the hit. Rycraft then slapped a bases-clearing double to deep left-center field, that scored senior outfielder Derek Hussey, Gutierrez and Gastner.

After another rare scoreless innings by both teams in the sixth, Lindenwood crossed a run in the top of the seventh attributed to successful small ball and brought the Northwest lead back to just three runs.

The Bearcat offense heated back up in the home half of the seventh, scoring three runs on two hits and bringing the score to 12-6. Following a leadoff single by Hussey and Rycraft being hit by a pitch, Rudolph reached third on a Lion error that scored the two runners. Rudolph would record the third run of the inning on the very next at bat after Herrera singled to center field.

Lindenwood showed its power in the eighth by smashing a two-out grand slam to claw back at the Northwest lead, 12-10.

Northwest added two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth, initiated by a two-out single by Rycraft, who advanced to second on a balk. Rycraft scored on the next at bat after a RBI double was hit by Rudolph to right field. Succeeding, Quick recorded his second RBI of the game, hitting a single up the middle to score Rudolph.

Northwest head coach Darin Loe turned it over to Dudar as he recorded his eighth successful save of the season by getting the final four outs.

Sophomore Max Spitzmiller was accredited with the win for Northwest, tossing five full innings of work and allowing five runs (five earned) on nine hits and striking out two.

First pitch is set for game two of the series at 2 p.m. Saturday in Maryville.

NOTES: Quick extended his team-high 27-game on base streak … Gastner and Hussey recorded a three-hit outing, Hussey’s ninth on the season (team-high) … four Bearcats notched multi-RBI game (Rycraft, Quick, Herrera, Gutierrez).

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Missouri – The Emporia State Hornets scored a pair of five-inning victories over the Northwest Missouri State University softball team on Friday.

Emporia State took the opener, 11-3. The Hornets then completed the two-game sweep with a 10-0 triumph.

GAME ONE
The Bearcats committed five errors and the Lions took advantage and scored 11 runs (four unearned) in a five-inning contest.

Emporia State fed off two errors in the third for a four-run inning and then added three more runs off two more errors in the fourth.

Trailing 7-0, the Bearcat offense woke up with a pair of blasts. Karli Allen led off the fourth with a home run to center. After a Kiana Baderdeen walk, Sydne Brashear crushed a home run to right-center to cut the Horrnet lead to 7-3.

However the Hornets tacked on four more runs in the fifth and the Bearcats added another error in the frame.

Regan Thompson took the loss (5-11) as she pitched 3 2/3 and gave up seven hits and seven runs (three earned).

GAME TWO
The Bearcats cleaned up the defensive miscues but could only muster seven hits and did not scratch across a run in a 10-0 defeat in five innings.

Emporia State scored two in the first, four in the second, three in the third and a single run in the fourth.

Rachel Smith suffered the loss (4-10) as she went 1 2/3 and gave up seven hits, six runs (all earned). Logan Wenzel pitched the final 3 1/3 innings and gave up five hits, four runs (all earned) with a walk and a strikeout.

NOTES: Emporia State had 11 stolen bases in the doubleheader … Allen hit her ninth home run of the season … Brashear hit her fifth homer on the year … Olivia Daugherty cracked her 10th double on the season.

— Northwest Athletics —