The Northwest Missouri State University softball team swept a pair of conference games in Jefferson City, Mo.
– The Bearcats improve to 8-6 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while Lincoln falls to 3-11 overall and 0-2 in conference.
Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 9, Lincoln 1)
– Northwest scored two in the first, three in the fifth, one in the sixth and three in the seventh inning. The Tigers scored one run in the fourth inning.
– The Bearcats had nine runs on 13 hits with three errors. Lincoln had one run on seven hits with three errors.
– Kaitlyn Weiss was 3-for-5 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a homerun.
– Rebecca Maher went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, one RBI, drew two walks and hit a homerun.
– Jaedra Moses was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.
– Erin Keeney went 2-for-5, scored a run and hit a double.
– Abigail Gilson was 2-for-3, with four RBIs, one run scored and two doubles.
– Karli Allen went 2-for-4 with one RBI and a double.
– Jessica Rawie drew a walk and scored a run.
– Taylor Blackford threw five innings on five hits, one run scored and allowed one walk.

Game One Key Innings
– Maher started the game off with a walk and advanced to second after Weis hit a single to left center. Rawie drew a one out walk to load the bases. Maher and Weis score on a double down the left field line by Gilson to give the Bearcats the lead, 2-0.

– Keeney started the top of the fifth with a double down the left field line. Rawie reached base on a throwing error to advance Keeney to third. Gilson hit a double to left to score Keeney and advance Rawie to third. Allen followed up with a double to score Rawie and advance Gilson to third. After an out, Kiana Baderdeen reached on an error allowing to score Gilson from third base.

– Moses started the sixth inning with a bunt single while Weis and Keeney follow it up with singles to left field to load the bases with zero outs. Gilson hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Moses from third.

– Maher started the two out rally in the seventh with a solo homerun to left field. Moses reached base on an error. Weis hit a two run homerun over the center field fence to put Northwest up 9-1.
Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 11, Lincoln 1)
– The Bearcats scored four in the first, three in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth and one in the fifth. Lincoln scored one run in the first inning.
– Northwest had 11 runs on 13 hits with one error. The Tigers had one run on three hits with two errors.
– Maher finished the day 2-for-3 with two runs scored, one RBI and one double.
– Moses went 2-for-4 with one run scored and a stolen base.
– Gilson was 2-for-3 two RBIs, one run scored and a sacrifice fly.
– Baderdeen finished 2-for-3 with one run scored and a double.
– Weis was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
– Keeney went 1-for-2 with one run scored, drew a walk and had an RBI.
– Rawie was 1-for-2 with a run scored and drew a walk.
– Allen went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a double.
– Rachel Smith threw five innings with six strikeouts, allowed three hits, one run and one walk.

Game Two Key Innings
– Maher started the game with a double down the right field line. After two outs, Keeney hit a single up the middle to score Maher from second. Rawie and Gilson follow it up with singles to load the bases with two outs. Allen hit a double to right center to score Keeney and Rawie while Gilson advanced to third. Gilson scored on a wild pitch to give the Bearcats the lead, 4-0.

– Baderdeen started the second inning with a double to right center. Moses hit a single to second base and quickly stole second. Weis reached on an error to score Baderdeen and Moses. Weis would then come around to score on an out.

– Lynnlee Parrott drew a walk to start the third inning and a batter later Maher drew a walk. Moses hit a single to shortstop to load the bases. Weis singled to left field to score Parrott and Maher.

– Gilson began the fourth inning with a single through the left side. Allen reached on a fielder’s choice and Kenzi Sutton came in to pinch run for Allen. Baderdeen reached base with a single to left field. Next batter up Maher, singled to right center to score Sutton from second.

– Kailey Siemonsma doubled to right field to start the fifth inning. An out to second base advanced Siemonsma to third and Rawie was hit by a pitch. Bearcats conclude their scoring on a Gilson sacrifice fly to center field to score Siemonsma.
Up Next
– Northwest will play on Saturday, March 10, against Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., at noon.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to William Jewell, 6-5, on Wednesday in Liberty, Mo.

The Bearcats are now 8-8 overall while the Cardinals improve to 4-6.

Mondesi Gutierrez finished the day 4-for-4, with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored twice in the third and three times in the fourth. The Cardinals scored once in second, three times in the third, once in the fourth and once in the bottom of the tenth.
– The Bearcats had five runs on 10 hits with two errors. William Jewell had six runs on 10 hits with one error.
– Hudson Bilodeau went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
– Luke Hassman was 1-for-4 and drew a walk.
– Jay Hrdlicka and Matt Schingel were both 1-for-4 and each scored a run.
– Aaron Barratt went 1-for-3, with an RBI and a double.
– Kevin Handzlik drew a walk and scored a run.
– Joe Funkhouser started the game and went 3.2 innings. He allowed seven hits and three earned runs. He struck out two and walked three.
– Jimmy McElwain pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. He did not allow a hit, did not walk anyone and struck out three batters.
– Hondo Pearcy allowed two hits in 2.2 innings of work. He allowed zero runs, struck out one and walked two.

Key Northwest Innings
– Schingel and Gutierrez singled back-to-back to start the inning. Barratt had a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher to advance Gutierrez to second. After an out, Bilodeau singled up the middle to score Schingel and Gutierrez.

– In the fourth, Hassman singled to left field to lead off. Handzlik walked and Hrdlicka to right field to load the bases. A double play wiped out a pair of Bearcat runners, but Gutierrez’s single up the middle drove in Hrdlicka and Handzlik. The next batter Barratt, doubled down the left field line to score Gutierrez to give Northwest the lead, 5-4.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on Northeastern State on Friday, March 9, at 2 p.m. in Maryville, Mo, for the team’s home opener.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Mo.- Northwest Missouri State University Director of Athletics Mel Tjeerdsma has accepted the resignation of Women’s Basketball Head Coach Buck Scheel.

“I would like to thank Coach Scheel for his commitment to Bearcat athletics and for his effort to rebuild our women’s basketball program,” said Tjeerdsma. “I wish him the best in the next step of his career.”

Scheel arrived at Northwest as an assistant coach prior to the start of the 2013-14 season. He was named interim head coach during the 2015-16 season, coaching the team’s final 18 games. On March 22, 2016, he was named the eighth head coach in Northwest history.

Heather Howard, who has served as assistant coach of the women’s basketball program for the last two seasons, has been appointed as interim head coach. She will oversee all women’s basketball operations until a full-time replacement is named.

— Northwest Athletics —

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team secured the MIAA’s automatic bid and the NCAA Central Region’s top seed to the 2017-18 NCAA Tournament. The Bearcats will now host a seven-game regional tournament in Maryville, Mo., starting Saturday, March 10.

Northwest’s first round game against No. 8 seed Minnesota State is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, at 6 p.m. at Bearcat Arena. The second round will be on Sunday, March 11 and the Sweet 16 round will be on Tuesday, March 13. The National Championship Elite Eight will be held in Sioux Falls, S.D., starting on Tuesday, March 20. Northwest has advanced to the Central Region championship game each of the past four seasons and captured the NCAA National Championship in 2016-17.

Northwest is making its 18th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and the sixth appearance under head coach Ben McCollum (12-4 overall). McCollum, who is in his ninth season, led the Bearcatsto a fifth-straight MIAA regular season title and third-straight MIAA Tournament title. Justin Pitts was named the MIAA Player of the Year for the third straight year and earned first team All-MIAA honors for the fourth time.

NCAA Central Region
1. Northwest Missouri (Host)
2. Northern State
3. Southern Nazarene
4. Southwest Minnesota State
5. Missouri Southern State
6. St. Cloud State
7. Washburn
8. Minnesota State

Saturday, March 10
Noon: No. 3 Southern Nazarene vs. No. 6 St. Cloud State (Session 1)
2:15 p.m.: No. 2 Northern State vs. No. 7 Washburn (Session 1)

6 p.m.: No. 1 Northwest Missouri vs. No. 8 Minnesota State (Session 2)
8:15 p.m.: No. 4 Southwest Minnesota State vs. No. 5 Missouri Southern (Session 2)

Sunday, March 11
5 p.m.: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
7:30 p.m.: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4

Tuesday, March 13
7 p.m.: Championship Game

— Northwest Athletics —

By David Boyce – Northwest Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As intense as the championship game of the MIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament got Sunday evening at Municipal Auditorium, Northwest Missouri State never trailed in the second half in its 80-74 win over Washburn.

But the Bearcats sure made it interesting in the final two minutes. Leading 73-68, Northwest missed five straight free throws. It finally hurt them when Washburn senior Brady Skeens made a basket with 45 seconds left, making it 73-70.

Four seconds later, Northwest senior Chris-Ebou Ndow calmly drained two free throws to increase the Bearcats’ lead back to five points.

“It is just going back to the gym. I work on my free throws all the time,” said Ndow, who made six straight free throws in the final 41 seconds. “I wasn’t nervous. I stepped up and did what I do in the gym.”

After Washburn scored, Ndow made two more free throws and that allowed Northwest to win its third straight MIAA tournament title. The only other team to accomplish this feat was Southeast Missouri State, 1985-87.

“Wow,” Ndow said of the accomplishment. “This group of guys are special and the seniors last year, for us to keep making history, it is special and we are going to remember it forever.”

The victory by the Bearcats all but assures them the No. 1 seed in the Central Region. Northwest will take a 27-3 record into regional. Northwest finds out later Sunday evening its seeding.

“That is huge,” Ndow said. “I believe we have the best fans in the country. It is such a home court advantage. Hopefully, we get to do it this year. We will be ready regardless.”

The second half heated up immediately, especially after Washburn first-year coach Brett Ballard was given a technical for arguing a charge call on his player. Sophomore Ryan Welty knocked down both free throws for Northwest, giving the Bearcats a 44-34 lead.

Momentum appeared to be completely on Northwest’s side when Ndow followed with a three-pointer to extend the lead to 47-34.

Washburn regained its composure and closed to 51-45. Northwest answered that run with a three-pointer by Welty.

Still, the Ichabods kept grinding away and pulled to five at 65-60 with just under 9 minutes left. Senior Joey Witthus stepped up for Northwest and knocked down a high-arching three-pointer, making it 68-60.

With senior Justin Pitts on the bench for a large portion of the second half battling foot issues, it was clear Northwest needed to play with grit down the stretch to pull out a win. Washburn once again pulled to five at 68-63 with just over 6 minutes left.

“Guys stepped up and hit some big shots,” Northwest coach Ben McCollum said. “And we got enough stops to win the game.”

One of the biggest plays for Northwest came 2 minutes later. Washburn closed 69-66 and grabbed a defensive rebound. Kurth stole the ball and went in for a quick layup to make it 71-66 with 4:28 left.

“The funny thing is I almost missed the layup because I got too excited when I got the steal,” said Kurth, who finished with 15 points. “Things like that is what we are all about to make sure we are staying with it with our defense.”

Northwest, though, didn’t start with much fire. Less than 2 minutes into the game, McCollum called a timeout. The Bearcats looked lethargic in falling behind 4-0.

What did McCollum say?

“Off the record,” McCollum said.

The barking must have penetrated Welty’s ears and he wasn’t starting. Welty knocked down all four three-point attempts and scored 16 first-half points, sparking Northwest to a 41-28 halftime lead.

“Obviously, our guards do a good job of creating,” said Welty, who finished with a team-high 21 points. “Basically, I stay on the three-point line and have to be ready to shoot. It felt good.”

Of course, the Bearcats used more than one player to overcome a brief a 6-1 deficit to start the game. Kurth also sparkled on offense, hitting five of seven shots from the field for 13 points.

Northwest quickly recovered from the slow start and took its first lead at 9-8 on a basket by Kurth.

The Ichabods responded with a basket by David Salach for its last lead of the game at 10-9.

Welty’s first three-pointer of the game put the Bearcats back in front 12-10 and they never trailed again in the first half.

The three-pointer by Welty ignited a 9-0 run. A basket by Witthus, two free throws by Welty and a basket by senior Brett Dougherty gave Northwest an 18-10 lead.

A few minutes later, a three-pointer by Welty pushed Northwest’s advantage to nine at 24-15.

But Washburn fought back and scored the next seven points, closing to 24-21.

Northwest responded with another offensive surge. It started with Witthus in the paint making an interior pass to Kurth that led to a layup. With 5:25 remaining in the first half, Northwest led 26-21.

Soon the Bearcats’ lead blossomed to 36-24 on a three-pointer by Welty. A few minutes later, Kurth drilled consecutive three-pointers that pushed the lead for Northwest to 41-26 late in the first half.

“We have so many weapons offensively that one guy can be hot one night and another guy hot another night,” Kurth said. “We were both able to hit some shots and keep our confidence going on offense.”

Northwest shot 56 percent in the first half and held Washburn to 40 percent shooting.

“Washburn is a really good team so it is big to win this game, especially going into regional game,” Welty said. “We have the momentum and keep it going.”

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team defeated Fort Hays State, 11-4, on Sunday at Larks Park in Hays, Kan.

The Bearcats improve to 8-7 overall and 5-1 in MIAA play. The Tigers fall to 9-8 and 1-5 in conference action.

Jay Hrdlicka was 3-for-3 with three doubles. He drove in two, scored twice and also drew two walks.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored once in the second, once in the fourth, four in the fifth, four in the seventh and one in the eighth. The Tigers scored one in the second and three in the seventh.
– The Bearcats had 11 runs on 11 hits with two errors. Fort Hays state had four runs on 12 hits with three errors.
– Mondesi Gutierrez was 2-for-4 and drove in six runs. He scored twice and drew a walk.
– Kevin Handzlik was 2-for-6 with a run.
– Logan Rycraft drew a pair of walks and went 1-for-4.
– Landon Figg was 1-for-3 and scored four times. He was hit by two pitches.
– Aaron Barratt was 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs.
– Hudson Bilodeau was 1-for-5 with a walk and a stolen base.
– Eddy Kraber got the start. He went 3.0 innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out two and walked two.
– Quintin Van Ackeren threw 3.0 innings of relief. He allowed two runs on four hits. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.
– Trevor Dudar worked the final 2.2 innings. He didn’t allow a run or a hit, striking out two.

Key Northwest Innings
– With one down in the second, Figg was hit by a pitch. Hrdlicka hit a double down the left field line to put runners on second and third. Gutierrez grounded out to short but Figg was able to score on the play for the game’s first run.

– In the fourth, Figg hit a one out single to center and went to second on a wild pitch. Hrdlicka and Gutierrez drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. After an out, Rycraft drew another walk to force in Figg to make it 2-1 Northwest.

– Hussey led off the fifth with a walk and went to second on a wild pitch. After a pair of groundouts, Figg was hit by a pitch and Hrdlicka walked to load the bases. Gutierrez hit a double to left that drove in three runs. After a pitching change, Gutierrez scored on a Barratt single up the middle to make it 6-1 Bearcats.

– Handzlik started the seventh with a single through the left side. Figg reached on en error by the shortstop. Hrdlicka hit a two-RBI double to right and Gutierrez drove Hrdlicka in with a double to left for Northwest’s ninth run. After a wild pitch allowed Gutierrez to take third, Barratt hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Gutierrez.

– With two down in the eighth, Hrdlicka hit a double to left. Gutierrez reached on an error by the shotstop, allowing Hrdlicka to score.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on William Jewell on Tuesday, March 6, at 1 p.m. in Liberty, Mo.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University softball team split a pair of Sunday games at the Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament in Joplin, Mo.

The Bearcats fell in the morning to McKendree University, 3-2, but rebounded to beat Rockhurst, 9-5, in the afternoon.

Northwest went 3-1 this weekend and is now 6-6 on the season.

Game One Key Statistics (McKendree 3, Northwest 2)
– Northwest scored one in the first and one in the second. McKendree had all three runs in the fifth.
– Northwest had two runs on eight hits with one error. McKendree had three runs on six hits with no errors.
– Jaedra Moses was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
– Kaitlyn Weis went 2-for-4 with an RBI double.
– Karli Allen went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
– Kiana Baderdeen was 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch.
– Erin Keeney and Jessica Rawie each drew walks.
– Taylor Blackford threw all six innings. She allowed three runs on six hits. She had one walk and struck out two.

Game One Key Innings
– In the first with one out, Moses singled to left and scored on Wei’s RBI double to left center.

– Allen singled to lead off the second inning. After a strikeout, Baderdeen was hit by a pitch. A fielder’s choice pushed Allen to third and she came into score on a Moses infield single to third to make it 2-0 Northwest.

Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 9, Rockhurst 5)
– The Bearcats scored five in the third and added four in the sixth. Rockhurst had one in the first and four in the sixth.
– Northwest had nine runs on 11 hits with three errors. The Hawks had five runs on seven hits with no errors.
– Keeney was 2-for-3 with four runs driven in on a grand slam in the third.
– Sydne Brashear went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in the sixth. She scored twice.
– Baderdeen ws 2-for-3 and scored twice.
– Rebecca Maher went 1-for-3 with an RBI double.
– Moses was 1-for-4 with a run scored.
– Weis went 1-for-3 with an RBI and she scored a run.
– Rawie was 1-for-3 with a run scored.
– Abigail Gilson scored a run, going 1-for-3.
– Rachel Smith pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits. She struck out seven and walked one.
– Holly Posegate pitched the final 2.0 innings without allowing a run or a hit. She picked up one strikeout.

Game Two Key Innings
– Brashear and Baderdeen led off the sixth with back-to-back singles. After a sacrifice, Moses hit an infield single to load the bases. Weis hit a single off the pitcher to score Brashear for the game’s first run. Keeney then launched a grand slam over the right field wall for a 5-0 Northwest lead.

– With one out in the sixth, Rawie and Gilson hit back-to-back singles to center. Both moved up after a wild pitch. With a second out on the board, Brashear hit a home run to left, driving in three more runs. Baderdeen followed it with a single to center. Maher drove her in on the next at bat with a double to center.

Up Next
– Northwest will open MIAA play on Friday, March 9, against Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., at 2 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Fort Hays State, 4-2, on Saturday at Larks Park in Hays, Kan.
– The Bearcats fall to an even 7-7 overall and 4-1 in MIAA play. The Tigers improve to 9-7 and 1-4 in conference action.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored both runs in the sixth. Fort Hays scored twice in the first, once in the fifth and once in the eighth.
– The Bearcats had two runs on six hits with one error. The Tigers scored four runs on eight hits with no errors.
– Mondesi Gutierrez was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
– Aaron Barratt went 1-for-3 and scored a run.
– Luke Hassman was 1-for-4 and was hit by a pitch.
– Landon Figg and Alixon Herrera each went 1-for-4.
– Logan Rycraft and Hudson Bilodeau each drove in a run. Bilodeau also reached base on a walk.
– Brad Roberts got the start, going 7.0 innings. He allowed three runs on six hits with one walk. He struck out eight.
– Jacob Wagner threw the eighth inning, allowing one run on two hits without allowing a walk.

Key Northwest Innings
– Roberts set the Tigers down in order in the third and seventh innings.

– In the sixth, Gutierrez led off with a single to third. Barratt followed it with a single, moving Gutierrez to third. Barratt went to second on the throw. Rycraft grounded out but it allowed Gutierrez to come around for Northwest’s first run. Bilodeau’s groundout drove in Barratt for the Bearcats’ second run.

Up Next
– The series will conclude on Sunday with game three starting at 1 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team defeated Pittsburg State, 79-73, on Friday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

The Bearcats (25-3), advance to play in the MIAA semifinals against the winner of Central Missouri and Central Oklahoma.

Pittsburg State ends the season at 17-13 overall.

Justin Pitts scored a game-high 25 points on 7-of-14 shooting. He went 11-for-14 at the foul line, adding three rebounds and two assists.

Northwest held the Gorillas to just one offensive rebound, holding a 34-27 advantage on the glass for the game.

Key Northwest Statistics
– The Bearcats shot 42.9 percent (24-of-56) from the field and hit 23-of-32 (71.9 percent) attempts at the free throw line.
– Northwest hit on 8-of-27 three point attempts.
– Brett Dougherty had a game-high eight assists to go along with 12 points and six rebounds.
– Xavier Kurth had 14 points and six rebounds. He was 2-for-4 from beyond the arc and was 4-of-6 at the free throw line.
– Chris-Ebou Ndow returned to action and scored 10 points, knocking down a pair of three pointers. He had six rebounds.
– Ryan Welty hit three three-pointers and finished with nine points, four rebounds, one assist and one block.
– Northwest outscored the Gorillas 16-6 off turnovers and had eight second chance points to Pittsburg State’s two.
– The Bearcats forced 11 PSU turnovers and held a 17-3 advantage in bench points.

Key Northwest Sequence
– With 12 minutes to play in the first half, Pittsburg State took a 15-8 lead on the Bearcats. But Northwest stormed back, piecing together a 9-0 run to take its first lead of the game. Kurth started the sequence with a three pointer. After a Gorilla miss, Kurth hit a layup to pull Northwest to within two, 15-13. Kurth came up with a steal on the next possession, leading to a Pitts layup to tie the game. after the teams traded missed shots, Dougherty hit a layup to give the Bearcats a 17-15 lead.

– The Bearcats finished the game by hitting 7-of-9 free throw attempts with Pitts knocking down five straight. The Gorillas had cut the lead to 73-68 with 1:16 left but Northwest came up with a pair of defensive stops, leading to five points at the charity stripe.

Up Next
– Northwest will face Central Oklahoma in the MIAA Semifinal round on Saturday at 8:15 p.m.

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team defeated Fort Hays State, 13-1, in a seven-inning game on Friday at Larks Park in Hays, Kan.

The Bearcats improve to 7-6 overall and 4-0 in MIAA play.

Alixon Herrera drove in four runs, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, two doubles and a walk.

Joseph Hietpas threw the complete 7.0 innings. He struck out 13, allowing one run on seven hits. He allowed just one walk.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored five runs in the second, four in the third and four in the fifth. Fort Hays scored its lone run in the first inning.
– The Bearcats had 13 runs on 10 hits with no errors. The Tigers scored one run on seven hits and committed three errors.
– Logan Rycraft was 2-for-5 with three runs driven in. He hit a double, scored a run and also reached on a walk.
– Kevin Handzlik went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.
– Hudson Bilodeau was 1-for-3 with two runs driven in. He was also hit by a pitch.
– Jay Hrdlicka was 1-for-2, drawing four walks. He scored twice.
– Mondesi Gutierrez scored a pair of runs, going 1-for-2. He drew two walks and was hit by a pitch.
– Landon Figg drew a walk and scored a run.
– Luke Hassman scored three times after reaching twice on walks and once on a hit by pitch.
– Aaron Barratt was hit by a pitch. He drove in a run and also scored a run.
– Hietpas set the Tigers down in order in the third and the fifth innings.

Key Northwest Innings
– Hassman and Herrera drew back-to-back walks to start the second. Handzlik laid a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up and Hrdlicka drew a walk to loadthe bases. Gutierrez drew a walk to force in Hassman to tie the game, 1-1. Barratt hit a grounder to short that scored Herrera but an error by the shortstop kept the bases loaded. Rycraft hit a 2-RBI single to drive in two more runs, forcing a pitching change. Bilodeau laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Barratt for Northwest’s fifth run.

– In the third, Hassman again led off with a walk. Herrera hit a double down the right field line to drive in Hassman. Handzlik followed it up with a single to score Herrera. Handdzlik was picked off but Hrdlicka drew a walk, forcing a pitching change. Gutierrez drew a walk and Barratt was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Rycraft drew a walk to force in Hrdlicka. Bilodeau grounded into a fielder’s choice, allowing Gutierrez to score.

– Rycraft started the fifth inning by working a full count and driving a ball into left field for a double. Bilodeau was hit by a pitch. Figg grounded into a fielder’s choice, forcing out Bilodeau at second. Hassman loaded the bases by getting hit by a pitch. Herrera cleared the bases with a double down the right field line, making it 12-1 Bearcats. Handzlik hit a single to right on an 0-2 pitch. An error by the right fielder allowed Herrera to score Northwest’s 13th run.

Up Next
– Game two of the three-game series takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

— Northwest Athletics —