The Northwest Missouri State University softball team fell twice to Missouri Southern in a double header on Saturday at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex in Joplin, Mo.

The losses drop the Bearcats to 21-13 on the year and 10-4 in MIAA play. The Lions improve to 22-25 on the season and 11-7 in conference action.

Game One Key Statistics (Missouri Southern 7, Northwest 0)
– The Lions scored two in the first, one in the fourth, one in the fifth and three in the sixth.

– Northwest had three hits in the game but committed two errors. Missouri Southern had seven runs on 13 hits with no errors.

– Jaedra Moses went 1-for-3 in the first game.

– Chantel Adams was 1-for-2, as was Kailey Siemonsma.

– Taylor Blackford started and pitched 5.0 innings. She allowed four runs while striking out three. She did not issue a walk in the game.

Game Two Key Statistics (Missouri Southern 5, Northwest 1)
– Northwest scored its lone run in the fifth. The Lions had two in the third and three in the fifth.

– The Bearcats scored one run on six hits with two errors. Missouri Southern had five runs on eight hits with no errors.

– Torri Blythe went 2-for-3 with a walk.

– Jessica Rawie went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

– Kaitlyn Weis was 1-for-3 with a double.

– Rebecca Maher and Abigail Gilson each went 1-for-3.

– Moses had an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth.

– Adams and Kiana Baderdeen each drew a walk.

– Holly Posegate got the start in game two. She went 4.2 innings, allowing one walk while striking out three. She retired seven straight between the first and third innings.

– Blackford pitched the final 1.1 innings without allowing a run or a hit. She had one walk.

Game Two Key Innings
– Rawie led off the fifth with an infield single to short. After an out, Baderdeen drew a walk and Blythe hit a single to center to load the bases. Moses was able to hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Rawie.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on rival Missouri Western on Tuesday, March 11, at 4 and 6 p.m. in St. Joseph, Mo.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team beat Missouri Southern, 7-6, on Friday on a ninth inning walk-off single at Bearcat Field in Maryville, Mo.

– Garrett Fort delivered his third hit of the day in the ninth, driving in the winning run to give the Bearcats the opening game of the three-game series.

– Northwest improves to 22-10 overall and 11-8 in the MIAA. Missouri Southern falls to 20-16 overall and 12-10 in conference play.

– Fort drove in two runs in the game, going 3-for-6 with a stolen base.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored three in the second, one in the third, one in the fifth, one in the sixth and one in the ninth. The Lions had one in the first, one in the fourth and four in the fifth.

– The Bearcats had seven runs on 11 hits with no errors. Missouri Southern scored six runs on 11 hits with three errors.

– Landon Figg went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, three walks and an RBI. He hit his second home run of the year in the third inning.

– Kolby Greenslade was 2-for-5 with a run scored.

– Luke Hassman drove in a run, going 1-for-5.

– James Holler was 1-for-5 with an RBI.

– Ozzie Adams scored once and went 1-for-5 on the day.

– Anthony Caenepeel got the start on the mound in a no decision, going 6.0 innings. He did not issue a walk while striking out nine in the game.

– Quintin Van Ackeren, Jacob Wagner, Austin Battaglia combined to throw 2.0 innings of scoreless relief.

– Van Ackeren allowed just one hit and a walk. Wagner and Battaglia each recorded a strikeout.

– Nikko Pablo worked a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit. He picked up his fourth win of the season.

Key Northwest Innings
– A pair of Lion miscues allowed Northwest to score three times in the second. With one down, Hrdlicka drew a walk after an eight-pitch at bat. After a flyout, Greenslade hit an infield single to short to put runners on first and second. Rycraft hit a sharp grounder that went under the third baseman’s glove for an error, scoring Hrdlica from second. Fort then hit a single to right center to drive in Greenslade. With runners on the corners, MSSU tried to pick Fort off of first but the attempt got past the first baseman, allowing Rycraft to score on the error.

– Figg led off the third inning with his second home run of the year, a blast over the right field fence to make it 4-1 Bearcats.

– With one down in the fifth, Figg hit a one out single and went to second on a wild pitch. After a flyout, Holler came up with an RBI single to center, driving in Figg to make it 6-5 Southern.

– Adams hit a two-out single in the sixth and went to second on a passed ball. Figg drew a nine-pitch walk to put two runners on. Hassman came through with an RBI single to left, tying the game, 6-6.

– With one down in the ninth, Handzlik hit a slow grounder back to the pitcher, but an errant throw allowed Handzlik to reach safely and take second base. Northwest went to the bench and pinch ran Joseph Curtis for Handzlik. Greenslade hit an infield single that got past the third baseman to put two on with one out. After a flyout, a wild pitch allowed both runners to move up to second and third. Fort worked a full count and delivered a walk-off RBI single to right field.

Up Next
– The second game of the series will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University picked up a sweep of Pittsburg State on Friday at the PSU Softball Complex in Pittsburg, Kan.

– The Bearcats are now 21-11 on the year and 10-2 in MIAA play. The Gorillas fall to 32-12 and 11-5 in conference action.

– The Gorillas entered Friday on a six-game winning streak.

– Bearcat pitching combined to allow just two runs in 14.0 innings of work. Northwest’s three pitchers allowed just six hits and three walks.

Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 2, Pittsburg State 1)
– Northwest scored both runs in the sixth inning. The Gorillas’ lone run came in the second.

– The Bearcats had two runs on four hits with an error. Pittsburg State scored one run on two hits with an error.

– Torri Blythe was 2-for-3 with a run scored, a stolen base and a walk.

– Chantel Adams was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. She delivered the winning hit in the sixth inning.

– Jaedra Moses went 1-for-4 with a run scored.

– Jessica Rawie drew a walk in the first game.

– Taylor Blackford threw a complete game two-hitter. She allowed just one run and one walk while striking out three.

Game One Key Innings
– Blackford worked flawless first, third and fourth innings, at one point setting down nine-consecutive Gorilla batters.

– Blythe and Moses led off the sixth with back-to-back singles. On Moses’ hit, Blythe was able to advance to third on a throwing error by the pitcher. After an out and a fielder’s choice, Adams hit a single to right center, giving Northwest the lead as Blythe and Moses both crossed the plate.
Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 3, Pittsburg State 1)

– Northwest scored two runs in the fourth and one in the sixth. The Gorillas’ lone run came in the second inning.

– The Bearcats had three runs on five hits with one error. Pittsburg State had one run on four hits with two errors.

– Kaitlin Weis was 2-for-3 with a solo home run in the sixth inning. She also pitched the final 4.0 innings of the game, getting her second save on the year. She allowed just one hit while striking out one. She did not allow a walk.

– Abigail Gilson delivered her eighth home run of the year in the fourth inning, driving in two. She was 1-for-3 on the day.

– Blythe was 1-for-4 in the second game.

– Kailey Siemonsma was 1-for-2, picking up a pinch-hit single in the fourth.

– Holly Posegate got the start, going 3.0 innings. She allowed one unearned run on three hits. She walked two batters.

Game Two Key Innings
– With one out in the top of the fourth inning, Adams was hit by a pitch. Gilson capitalized by launching a two-run shot over the left center field fence to put Northwest ahead, 2-1.

– Weis started off the sixth inning by taking a 1-0 pitch over the center field fence for her team-leading 10th home run of the year.

– In the circle, Weis worked perfect innings in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. After giving up a lead-off single in the fifth, Weis retired the final nine Pittsburg State batters for the save.

Up Next
– Northwest will head to Joplin, Mo., to take on Missouri Southern on Saturday, starting at noon.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team scored in the bottom of the ninth to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 5-4, on Tuesday night at Memorial Field in Kearney, Neb.

– The win moves Northwest to 21-10 on the year and 10-8 in MIAA play. The Lopers fall to 9-22 on the season and 2-16 in conference action.

– Ever member of the Bearcat lineup got a hit on Tuesday.

– Northwest was designated as the home team even with the game being played at UNK since it was originally scheduled to be played in Maryville, Mo.

Key Northwest Statistics

– Northwest scored one in the second, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the ninth. The Lopers scored one in the first and three in the fourth.

– The Bearcats had five runs on 10 hits with two errors. Nebraska-Kearney scored four runs on 10 hits with no errors.

– Garrett Fort went 2-for-4 with a run scored, a double and a stolen base.

– Luke Hassman went 1-for-4 with two runs driven in. He hit his sixth home run of the year in the fourth inning.

– James Holler was 1-for-4, his lone hit being a solo home run in the second inning.

– Jay Hrdlicka was 1-for-4 with a run scored.

– Landon Figg went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. He was also hit by a pitch.

– Kolby Greenslade was 1-for-4 with the game-winning RBI double in the ninth.

– Ozzie Adams and Kevin Handzlik each went 1-for-3 with a walk.

– Logan Rycraft was 1-for-3 on the day.

– Eddy Kraber got the start, going 5.0 innings. He allowed three earned runs on eight hits. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

– Quintin Van Ackeren, Jacob Wagner and Austin Battaglia each helped hold the Lopers scoreless for 2.2 innings of relief. The trio allowed just two hits with no walks allowed.

– Nikko Pablo got the win, recording the final out of the eighth and working a flawless ninth. He did not allow a hit or a walk while recording one strikeout.

Key Northwest Innings
– Holler tied the game, 1-1, in the second, taking the first pitch he saw in his at bat over the right field fence for his third home run of the year.

– Figg led off the fourth by getting hit with a pitch. Hassman made the Lopers pay, blasting his sixth home run over the right field wall to make it a 4-3 ballgame.

– With two down in the fifth, Fort hit a double to right field. Adams drew a walk and Figg hit an 0-2 pitch to center for an RBI single, scoring Fort to tie the game, 4-4.

– Hrdlicka hit a one-out single to center in the ninth after battling through a 10-pitch at bat. After a lineout, Hrdlicka was able to advance to second on a passed ball. Greenslade delivered the winning blow with his fifth double of the season, this time to right field, driving in the winning run.

Up Next
– The Bearcats will host Missouri Southern starting on Friday at 3 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University head football coach Rich Wright has announced the hiring of Mike Cunningham to the coaching staff for the 2017 season. Cunningham will serve as the Bearcats’ offensive line coach after spending the past two seasons at Winona State University as the Warrior’s run game coordinator and offensive line coach.

“I am very excited to join coach Wright and his staff at Northwest,” said Cunningham. “I am looking forward to helping build on the success that Northwest has achieved over the years.”

While on staff, Winona State went 5-6 during the 2015 season and improved to 8-3 last year. In his first season in 2015, the Warriors allowed just 19 sacks, half of the 38 allowed the year prior to his arrival. In 2016, Winona State ran for 21 rushing touchdowns, surpassing the 13 scores in both 2015 and 2014. The team averaged 160.8 rushing yards per game, an improvement of nearly 37 yards per contest and gained 28 more first downs on the ground.

Prior to his time at Winona State, Cunningham worked with Nebraska football as an offensive staff assistant. He helped with game planning and scouting reports for the Huskers in 2014. In 2013 he served as the offensive line coach at the University of North Dakota. From 2006-12 he was the offensive line coach and running game coordinator at Minnesota State. He was also Concordia-St. Paul’s offensive line coach during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Cunningham graduated from New Mexico State University in 2001 where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Family Sciences. He is married to his wife, Andrea, and the couple has three children, Trevin, Alyssa and Alex.

— Northwest Athletics —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University senior Anthony Caenepeel has been named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week in a release from the league office on Tuesday. Caenepeel becomes the third Northwest pitcher to earn MIAA weekly honors, joining Brad Roberts (March 7) and Joseph Hietpas (Feb. 7).

Against Pittsburg State on Friday, Caenepeel recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts in a nine-inning shutout victory. He walked just two batters and gave up five hits for his fifth victory of the season. During the game, he set the Northwest career strikeout record with 225.

— Northwest Athletics —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University softball junior Taylor Blackford has been named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week. Blackford led Northwest to a pair of shutout victories this weekend over Southwest Baptist and Central Missouri.

Blackford threw 6.0 innings on Friday in an 8-0 victory. She struck out five while allowing just four hits. On Saturday against Central Missouri, Northwest got an 11-0 run-rule victory in which Blackford struck out one while allowing just two hits in 5.0 innings.

— Northwest Athletics —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University had two individuals selected to the 2017 MIAA Hall of Fame class, in an announcement by the league office. Former football defensive end Aaron Becker and former head men’s basketball coach Steve Tappmeyer will both be inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame on Monday, June 5, at the KC Public Library in Kansas City, Mo.

“The impact that coach Tappmeyer has made on his former players goes well beyond basketball,” said Northwest head basketball coach Ben McCollum. “His care and the love he has for his players is unmatched. The wins he accumulated were a result of how hard his kids would compete for him because of the love he showed them/us. In both my personal and professional life, I use the lessons coach taught me through basketball daily. There is no one more deserving of becoming a part of the MIAA Hall of Fame.”

Tappmeyer was named head coach at Northwest in the fall of 1988. He is the all-time leader in wins with 408 victories. He led the Bearcats to seven MIAA championships including three regular season titles and four conference tournament titles. Northwest qualified for the NCAA Tournament 10 times under Tappmeyer with two appearances in the Elite Eight, first in 2002 and then again in 2004.

“Other than my parents, there was nobody more influential in my lifetime than coach Tappmeyer,” men’s associate head coach Austin Meyer said. “Coach instilled discipline in everyone around him, cared greatly about his players and always wanted what was best for the collective unit. I believe we have a great culture and many of the core values we preach today were values we learned from coach Tappmeyer.”

During his career, the Bearcats had a stretch of 11 straight seasons with 19 or more wins and his teams surpassed 22 wins in 9 of his final 12 campaigns on the bench. He was a four time MIAA Coach of the year and the 2001 South Central Region Coach of the Year. His team had a record of 143 wins and only 25 losses at Bearcat Arena during his final 12 seasons. In addition, he also possesses the highest winning percentage of any head tennis coach at Northwest, with a career record of 1-0.

Becker came to Northwest in 1996 from Millard South in Omaha, Neb. He twice helped lead Northwest to NCAA national championships, in 1998 and 1999. He was twice named All-America, three times he earned First Team All-MIAA accolades and was a part of four MIAA Championships during his tenure. He finished his career at Northwest ranked third in tackles for loss with 41.0. Becker made a name for himself in high school as an Omaha World-Herald and Associated Press first-team All-State selection as well as a USA Today honorable mention All-America. He was the second of three Becker brothers to make their way onto the field during the rise of Bearcat football. The Becker family helped capture five MIAA Championships and two National Championships during their time at Northwest.
“Aaron was a key component of our defense on our first national championship team in 1998,” said former Northwest head coach and current Director of Athletics Mel Tjeerdsma. “He is one of the best defensive lineman to ever play for for the Bearcats.”

— Northwest Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – For the second time this season, a home doubleheader for the Missouri Western softball team against Northwest Missouri State has been postponed due to weather.

The games that were most recently scheduled to be played April 4 will now be moved to a later date. Once that date has been finalized, an announcement will be made. The rivalry doubleheader was originally scheduled for March 14, but was moved to April 4 due to weather concerns.

It’s the third home doubleheader, the team has had to re-schedule this season. Now, the Griffons will next play April 7 at Missouri Southern.

— MWSU Athletics —