The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team picked up a pair of wins over University of Central Missouri on Thursday at Bearcat Field in Maryville, Mo.

The Bearcats improve to 19-14 overall, 14-5 in conference, while the Mules fall to 25-9 overall and 16-7 in conference play.

Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 9, Central Missouri 8, 10 inn.)
– Northwest scored one in the second, three in the third, four in the fifth and one in the tenth inning. . The Mules got one in the first, two in the fourth, three in the sixth and two in the ninth inning.
– The Bearcats had nine runs on 12 hits with five errors. Central Missouri had eight runs on eight hits with one error.
– Hudson Bilodeau went 2-for-4 with one RBI, one walk, two runs scored and a double.
– Mondesi Gutierrez was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, one RBI and a double.
– Landon Figg finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and one run scored.
– Luke Hassman went 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored, two RBIs and a homerun.
– Kevin Handzlik was 1-for-4 with one run scored, one RBI, a walk and a double.
– Aaron Barratt went 1-for-5 with one RBI.
– Matt Schingel finished 1-for-4 with one run scored.
– Derek Hussey was 1-for-5 with a stolen base.
– Jay Hrdlicka had a pinch hit double in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Game One Key Innings
– In the bottom of the second inning, Hassman got the Bearcats on the board with a solo homerun to left field to make the score 1-1.

– After an out, Bilodeau double to right field and then came around to score on another double to right field by Gutierrez. Gutierrez came in to score on a single up the middle by Figg to give the Bearcats the lead. Figg would come around to score on a fielder’s choice by Handzlik and give the Bearcats a 4-1 lead.

– Bilodeau started the bottom of the fifth with a walk and quickly moved to second on a single through the left side by Gutierrez. Figg hti a single to right field to score Bilodeau and put runners at first and second. Hassman would then reach on a fielder’s choice to score Gutierrez. Handzlik drew a one out walk and Barratt singled to left field to score Hassman. Handzlik would then advance on two wild pitches and come in to score to make the score 8-3.

– In the bottom of the tenth, Schingel hit a one out single to third base and advanced to third on a single by Hussey. Hussey stole second and Rycraft walked to load the bases. Bilodeau singled to left center to score Schingel and give the Bearcats a walk off win.

Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 8, Central Missouri 3)
– The Bearcats scored three in the second, four in the third and one in the seventh inning. Central Missouri scored one in the fourth and two in the ninth inning.
– Northwest had eight runs on 12 hits with no errors. The Mules scored three run on eight hits with no errors.
– Bilodeau finished 3-for-4 with one walk, two RBIs and a double.
– Figg went 2-for-5 with one RBI, one run scored and a homerun.
– Hassman was 2-for-3 with one walk and one run scored.
– Handzlik went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, one RBI and a walk.
– Barratt finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored, a walk and two homeruns.
– Rycraft was 1-for-3 with one RBI and a stolen base.
– Brad Roberts threw a complete game while striking out seven batters, and allowed only three runs.

Game Two Key Innings
– In the bottom of the second inning, Barratt hit a solo homerun to left center to start a rally for the Bearcats. Schingel and Hussey both drew one out walks and advanced to the next base on a fly out to left field. Bilodeua doubled down the left field line to score Schingel and Hussey to make the score 3-0.

– Figg led off the bottom of the third inning with a home run to left center field. Hassman kept the hitting going with single to right field and came in to score on a double to right center by Handzlik. Barratt brought Handzlik in with his second homerun of the game over the left field fence to give the Bearcats a 7-0 lead.

– Hassman began the seventh inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single to right field by Handzlik. Barratt drew a walk to load the bases. After two outs, Rycraft was hit by a pitch and scored Handzlik from third.

Up Next
– Northwest will conclude the series Saturday weather permitting.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Griffon Track & Field had a strong showing at the MIAA vs NSIC Showdown at Northwest Missouri on Thursday, picking up three event championships and three NCAA provisionals.

Hanna Williams won the 400-meter for the second-straight week, earning an NCAA regional with a 55.98. Phil Thompson won the triple jump and earned an NCAA provisional in his first outdoor competition of the season and Tanner Butterfield claimed his first-ever win in the javelin.

NOTABLE FINISHES

• Hanna Williams – 1^st, 400-meter (55.98)
• Phil Thompson – 1^st, Triple Jump (48-10 , 14.89m)
• Tanner Butterfield – 1^st, Javelin (183-6, 55.95m)
• Sunni Sellers – 3^rd, 100-meter (12.32)
• Sunni Sellers – 3^rd, 200-meter (25.65)
• Graham Buresh – 6^th, 400-meter (49.84)
• Megan Gillen – 7^th, 800-meter (2:20.04)
• Chris Stanley – 8^th, 800-meter (1:58.99)
• Kelsey Cox – 6^th, 5,000-meter (19:15.79)
• Morgan Doyle, Hanna Williams, Madison Roumph, Taylor Williams – 4^th, Women’s 4×400-meter (4:06.36)
• Spencer Cooper, Graham Buresh, Nate Jelinek, Chris Stanley – 3^rd, Men’s 4×400-meter (3:21.70)
• Sarah Krig – 3^rd, High Jump (5-3, 1.60m)
• Miranda Migletz – 6^th, High Jump (5-1, 1.55m)
• Madison Roumph – 8^th, Triple Jump (33-3 , 10.14m)
• Jordan Garr – 3^rd, Shot Put (52-8 , 16.06m) – Provisional

Williams, Thompson and Garr all earned NCAA provisionals The Griffons also had 16 personal records and broke 12 program records. Overall, the women’s team finished sixth out of 11 teams with the men finishing eighth as a team.

UP NEXT
The Griffons go to Wichita, Kansas for the K.T. Woodman Classic on Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University softball team splits in a double header against Pittsburg State in Maryville, Mo.

The Bearcats are now 20-12 overall and 11-5 in conference, while Pittsburg State goes to 17-26 overall and 7-7 in conference play.

Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 5, Pitt State 2)
– Northwest scored four runs in second and one in the sixth inning. The Gorillas scored two in the sixth inning.
– The Bearcats had five runs on 12 hits and two errors. Pittsburg State scored two runs on 12 hits and no errors.
-Erin Keeney finished 3-for-4 with one RBI.
– Rebecca Maher went 2-for-4 with one run scored, two RBIs and two doubles.
– Jaedra Moses was 2-for-4 with one run scored and a stolen base.
– Kaitlyn Weis went 1-for-3 with one RBI and a walk.
– Karli Allen was 1-for-2 with one RBI, one run scored and a homerun.
– Jessica Rawie finished 1-for-3 with one run scored.
– Sydne Brashear was 1-for-3.
– Kiana Baderdeen went 1-for-3 with one run scored.

Game One Key Innings
– Allen started the bottom of the second inning with a solo homerun to right field to put the Bearcats on the board. Rawie kept the hitting going with a single to left field and moved to second on a hard single to left field by Baderdeen. Both runners came in to score on a double to right center by Maher. Weis hit a sharp single up the middle to score Maher and give the Bearcats a 4-0 lead.

– After an out, Moses hit a soft single to third base and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Keeney hit a two out single up the middle to score Moses and make the score 5-2.

Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 4, Pittsburg State 5)
– The Bearcats scored one run in the first adn three in the seventh inning. Pitt State scored one in the first, two in the fourth, one in the sixth and one in the seventh inning.
– Northwest had four runs on eight hits and no errors. The Gorillas had five runs on ten hits and one error.
– Weis went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk.
– Keeney was 2-for-3 with one RBI.
– Brashear finished 2-for-3 with one run scored.
– Maher was 1-for-3.
– Baderdeen went 1-for-3 with one run scored.

Game Two Key Innings
– Maher led off the inning with a single up the middle and Moses reached on a fielder’s choice. After an out, Weis singled to the shortstop and Keeney followed it up with a single through the right side. Moses came in to score on a sacrifice fly to center field by Abigail Gilson to make to the score at 1-1.

– In the bottom of the seventh inning, Rawie reached safely on an error and Brashear and Baderdeen loaded the bases with back-to-back singles to load the bases. After two outs, Weis singled up the middle to score Rawie and Brashear. Keeney singled to left field to score Baderdeen and conclude the scoring for the Bearcats.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on Missouri Southern on Saturday in Maryville at noon, weather permitting.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University has named Andy Peterson as interim director of athletics to fulfill the responsibilities of Mel Tjeerdsma, who retires as the department’s director April 30.

“I’m excited for this opportunity,” Peterson said. “Bearcat athletics has been a special place to me for a long time, and to have this responsibility and opportunity to lead this unbelievably strong group is a dream come true. I am confident in our team to lead our department and do what’s best for our student-athletes, our coaches and our University.”

Peterson is in his fifth year as assistant athletics director for facilities. In that role, he oversees the day-to-day facility operations and scheduling for all Bearcat athletics venues. He also assists with home contest operations and management. He also is in his fourth year as the head women’s golf coach and was an assistant coach from 2011 to 2017 with the men’s basketball program, which he helped lead to five MIAA regular season championships, two conference tournament titles and the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2017.

He served on the University’s steering committee to develop its Campus Master Plan as well as the steering team guiding the design, construction and implementation of the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse. His involvement also includes service with the Northwest Leadership Team, Northwest Staff Council and the Extended Leadership Team.

“Andy’s strategic outlook, keen intellect, business acumen and people management skills are combinations to help continue accentuating the strengths of our athletics department and focus on the student-athlete experience,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “His experiences in operations and as a player and coach also provide an important context as we look to the future of continuing our strong focus on student-athlete success and in competing within the MIAA at the DII level.”

Peterson, a native of Trenton, Missouri, is working on his Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He earned master’s degrees in agriculture in 2008 and in physical education in 2010 from Northwest as well as bachelor’s degrees in agriculture economics and horticulture from Northwest in 2007.

Peterson served on the Northwest Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team as an undergraduate, was a graduate assistant in the Student Recreation Center, and worked part-time in the David “DC” & Susan Colt Athletic Training Room to assist with student insurance and billing for services.

Peterson played basketball for Northwest from 2003 to 2008 and helped the Bearcats claim the MIAA tournament title in 2008. That year, he was named All-MIAA Honorable Mention as well as Academic All-MIAA. The Bearcats also won the MIAA regular season championship during the 2006-07 season as he led the team in minutes played. Peterson finished his Northwest career with the third highest three-point percentage and is sixth all-time in steals. After his playing career, he spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Northwest, under former head coach Steve Tappmeyer in 2008-09 and present head coach Ben McCollum in 2009-10.

Peterson spent the 2010-11 season as the head men’s golf coach and assistant men’s basketball coach at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, before returning to Northwest.

He is married to Emily Churchman, an assistant coach with the Bearcat cross country and track and field teams and a former Bearcat track and field student-athlete. The couple has two children, Ellie and Asher, and reside in Maryville.

— Northwest Athletics —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University had two individuals selected to the 2018 MIAA Hall of Fame class, in an announcement by the league office. Former women’s tennis player Yasmine Osborn and former football running back Xavier Omon will both be inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame on June 4, 2018 in the Truman Forum Auditorium at the KC Public Library in Kansas City, Mo.

Osborn, the Lenexa, Kansas native earned All-American status in 1998 and won the MIAA No. 1 singles championship in 1997 and 1998 before taking second in 1999, when she suffered an injury in the championship match. Posting 27 singles wins and 28 doubles victories as a sophomore in 1997, Osborn was an All-American in 1998 after winning 22 singles matches. The Bearcats advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament in each of the three seasons she played.

Omon, the Beatrice, Nebraska native is currently the MIAA career rushing leader after finishing with 7,073 yards. He leads the MIAA record books for season rush attempts (370 in 2007) and career rush attempts (1,271). Omon also holds the second position for MIAA single season rushing yards with 2,337 in 2007, as well as the all-time scorer with 590 points and the single season scoring mark of 228 points in 2007. He also holds 32 of the Bearcats’ 34 records for rushing and scoring. Omon was a three-time First Team All-MIAA selection, while helping the Bearcats claim two MIAA titles and make three appearances in the national title game.

— Northwest Athletics —

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Northwest Missouri State University senior Justin Pitts has been named a finalist for the 2018 Bevo Francis Award, given to the nation’s top small-college basketball player.

Pitts put together one of the most historic careers in Northwest history. This year he was the MIAA Player of the Year and D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year. He was honored as a first team All-America performer by the DII Bulletin, the D2CCA and the NABC. He is the Northwest career leader in points (2,459), FG made (887), FG attempted (1,681) and assists (575) and holds the Northwest record with 10 made three pointers in a single game vs. NSU on 11/30/17.

The Clarence “Bevo” Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Bevo Francis played at Rio Grande College (now the University of Rio Grande) in Ohio in 1952-53 and 1953-54. When he arrived on campus, the school had 38 male students enrolled in the school and was on the verge of bankruptcy, planning to close its doors at the end of the 1952-53 school year. In the season before Bevo arrived at Rio Grande, the Redmen (now the Red Storm) had gone 4-19.

During his two seasons at Rio Grande, Bevo became the most popular basketball player in the world, and ultimately helped to save the school from bankruptcy. During his first year, the Redmen went 39-0, and Bevo scored 1,954 points and averaged 50.1 points per game. Against Ashland College (KY), Francis scored 116 points, which included 55 points in the final 10 minutes of the game.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team dropped a pair of non-conference games against Northern State in Maryville, Mo.
– The Bearcats fall to 17-14 overall while the Wolves improve to 9-11 overall.

Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 0, Northern State 6)
– Northern State scored one run in the first, four in the second and one in the fourth inning.
– Northwest had no runs on six hits with two errors. The Wolves scored six times on 11 hits with one error.
– Kevin Handzlik finished the first game 2-for-3.
– Hudson Bilodeau was 1-for-4.
– Mondesi Gutierrez went 1-for-4.
– Luke Hassman was 1-for-3.
– Jay Hrdlicka went 1-for-2 with a walk.

Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 3 , Northern State 12)
– Northwest scored two runs in the second and one in the fourth inning. The Wolves scored two in the first and second, one in the fifth, four in the seventh, one in the eighth and two in the ninth inning.
– The Bearcats had three runs on eight hits and two errors. Northern State had 12 runs on 21 hits and no errors.
– Hudson Bilodeau finished the day 2-for-5 with on run scored and a double.
– Landon Figg finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
– Derek Hussey went 2-for-4 with one RBI and a double.
– Aaron Barratt was 1-for-3 with one run scored, a double, one walk and a stolen base.
– Logan Rycraft went 1-for-4 with one run scored.

Game Two Key Innings
– After an out, Rycraft singled to the shortstop and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Bilodeau singled to left field and quickly advanced to second on a wild pitch. Figg hit a two out single to right center to score Rycraft and Bilodeua and conclude the scoring for the Bearcats.

– Barratt drew a one out walk in the fifth, promptly stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Hussey hit a two out double down the left field line to score Barratt to give the Bearcats another run.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday, April 3rd at 3 p.m in Maryville, Mo.

The Northwest Missouri State University softball team swept Southwest Baptist in a conference double header in Bolivar, Mo.

The Bearcats (18-10) won the first game, 5-0, and the second game, 9-2.

Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 5, Southwest Baptist 0)
– The Bearcats scored two runs in the third and two in the seventh inning. .
– Northwest had two runs on seven hits with one error. SBU scored no runs on four hits and no errors.
– Rebecca Maher finished the game 2-for-3 with four RBIs, two runs scored, one walk and two home-runs.
– Sydne Brashear was 2-for-3 with one double.
– Jaedra Moses went 2-for-4.
– Karli Allen was 1-for-3.
– Kiana Baderdeen finished 1-for-3 with one run scored.
– Taylor Blackford threw seven shutout innings allowed four hits and did not record a walk.

Game One Key Innings
– After two outs, Baderdeen singled to center field and then came around to score on a two run homerun by Maher to give the Bearcats a 2-0 lead.

– Allen started off the inning with a single to right field and Lynnlee Parrott came in to pinch run. Parrott advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brashear and moved to third on a fielder’s choice by Baderdeen. Both runners would come in to score on Maher’s second homerun of the game to make the score 5-0.
Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 9 , Southwest Baptist 2 )
– Northwest scored four runs in the first, three in the fifth and two in the seventh inning. SBU scored two runs in the seventh inning.
– The Bearcats had nine runs on 10 hits with one error. Southwest Baptist had two runs on five hits with three errors.
– Kaitlyn Weis finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, two runs scored and a homerun.
– Erin Keeney was perfect from the plate going 3-for-3 with one RBI, one run scored and a walk.
– Maher went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and three walks.
– Abigail Gilson was 1-for-4 with one run scored, two RBIs and a homerun.
– Brashear went 1-for-3 with two walks and one run scored.
– Parrott was 1-for-1.
– Rachel Smith threw a complete seven inning game allowed five hits and two runs.

Game Two Key Innings
– Maher led off the first with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Moses. Weis would then bring Maher around to score on a two-run homerun to right field. Keeney kept the hitting going with a single to center field. After an out, Gilson brought Keeney home on another two-run homerun to right field and gave the Bearcats a 4-0 lead.

– Brashear drew a one out walk in the fifth and after another out, Maher and Moses both drew walks. Brashear and Maher came in to score on a single to right field by Weis. Keeney kept the inning going with a single to right field to score Moses from third.

– Moses got the inning going after she reached safely on an error. Weis singled down the left field line and Parrott singled to third base to load the bases. Jessica Rawie walked to advance the runners and score Moses. After a wild pitch all runners advanced and Weis scored from third to give the Bearcats a 9-0 lead.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on University of Central Missouri on Saturday in Warrensburg, Mo., in a double header starting at noon.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team took game one against Northern State, 9-2, on Thursday in Maryville, Mo.

The Bearcats improve to 17-12 overall while the Wolves fall to 7-11 overall.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored two runs in the first, second, third, and fourth and one in the seventh inning. Northern State had one run in the first and one in the third inning.

– The Bearcats had nine runs on nine hits and no errors. The Wolves had two runs on five hits with one error.

– Mondesi Gutierrez went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, two RBIs and two stolen bases.

– Hudson Bilodeau was 1-for-4 with two runs scored and one walk.

– Landon Figg finished 1-for-4 with one walk.

– Kevin Handzlik went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, a sacrifice fly and a walk.

– Aaron Barratt was 1-for-3 with one walk, one stolen base and a RBI.

– Matt Schingel went 1-for-3 with a walk and one run scored.

– Derek Hussey finished 1-for-3 with one RBI, a sacrifice fly, one stolen base and a run scored.

– Logan Rycraft was 1-for-3 with two RBIs, one run scored and a double.

– Luke Hassman went 1-for-3 with one walk.

– Brad Roberts threw seven innings only allowed two runs on four hits and struck out 11 batters.

Key Northwest Innings
– To start the first inning, Bilodeau singled to the first baseman and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice by Guiterrez. Figg singled to right field to load the bases with no outs. Hassman reached base on a fielder’s choice to short and Bilodeau was able to score on the play. Gutierrez came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Handzlik to right field to give the Bearcats a 2-1 lead.

– After an out, Rycraft and Bilodeau drew back-to-back walks and advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Gutierrez singled to center field to score Rycraft and Bilodeau and made the score 4-1.

– Schingel drew a two out walk to get a rally going for the Bearcats in the bottom of the third inning. Hussey would then move him to third on a single to center field. Hussey promptly stole second to put runners on second and third. Rycraft would bring both runners in on a double to right center and increased the Bearcat lead to 6-2.

– Gutierrez started the fourth inning with a single to center field, and moved to second on a one out walk by Hassman. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and Gutierrez would come in to score on a fielder’s choice by Handzlik. Barratt hit a two out single up the middle to score Hassman from third and conclude the scoring for the Bearcats.

– To start the seventh inning, Handzlik singled up the middle and after an out moved to third on a single to right field by Schingel. Hussey brought Handzlik in on a sacrifice fly to centerfield to make the score 9-2.

Up Next
– The Bearcats will take on Northern State University for a double header on Friday, March 30, starting at noon in Maryville, Mo.

— Northwest Athletics —