KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University junior Justin Pitts has been named the 2017 Bevo Francis Award winner, given to the nation’s top small-college basketball player.

Pitts put together one of the most historic seasons in Northwest history as a junior. He was the MIAA Player of the Year, the Basketball Time’s Player of the Year, the DII Bulletin Player of the Year and the NABC Player of the Year. He was named the Most Outstanding Player during the MIAA Tournament, the NCAA Central Regional Tournament and the NCAA Elite Eight. He was honored as a first team All-America performer by Basketball Times, the DII Bulletin, the D2CCA and the NABC. He broke five Northwest single-season records including points (754), field goals made (275), field goals attempted (553), assists (183) and games played (36). He also set the Northwest career scoring record at 1,929.

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 beat Pittsburg State, 11-4, on Sunday at Al Ortolani Field in Pittsburg, Kan., to complete a weekend sweep.

– The Bearcats move to 20-10 overall and 9-8 in MIAA play with the victory. Pittsburg State falls to 12-22 overall and 6-14 in league action.

– Jay Hrdlicka had a career day, going 4-for-4 with six runs batted in. He hit three home runs in the contest, scored three times and drew a walk.

– Brad Roberts got his fourth win of the season, going 6.0 innings. He allowed three earned runs, no walks and struck out five.

Key Northwest Statistics
– The Bearcats scored four in the first, one in the second, one in the fourth, one in the fifth, one in the seventh and three in the ninth. Pittsburg State scored all four runs in the first.

– Northwest had 11 runs on 12 hits with two errors. The Gorillas scored four runs on eight hits with one error.

– Ozzie Adams was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. He drove in a run, walked and was also hit by a pitch.

– Garrett Fort went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.

– Landon Figg was 2-for-5, scoring twice.

– Luke Hassman was 1-for-5.

– James Holler drove in two runs, both on sacrifice flies.

– Kolby Greenslade went 1-for-4 with a run scored.

– Logan Rycraft drew a walk and scored a run.

– Austin Battaglia threw 2.0 innings of hitless relief. He walked just one while striking out two.

– Nikko Pablo finished off the ninth inning, facing just three batters without allowing a hit. He struck out one.

Key Northwest Innings
– Fort led off the game with a double to right. After Adams was hit by a pitch, Figg singled to center to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed Fort to score the game’s first run. After an out, Holler hit a sacrifice fly to center, driving in Adams. Hrdlicka then hit his first of three long balls over the right field fence, giving Northwest an early 4-0 lead.

– In the second, Greenslade doubled to lead off and went to third on a sacrifice by Rycraft. Fort grounded out the short but Greenslade was able to score from third to give the Bearcats the lead back, 5-4.

– Rycraft drew a one-out walk in the fourth and went to second on a wild pitch. Adams hit a two-out RBI single to right, scoring Rycraft to make it 6-4.

– Hrdlicka hit his second home run of the day in the fifth with two down. His solo shot cleared the right field fence to make it 7-4.

– Figg started the seventh with a double and went to third on a groundout. Holler hit his second sacrifice fly of the game to center, driving in Figg to give Northwest an 8-4 lead.

– Adams started the ninth with a single to center. After a strikeout, Hassman hit a single to put two runners on. A wild pitch moved runners to second and third. Another strikeout brought up Hrdlicka who launched his third home run of the game over the right field fence to give the Bearcats an 11-4 advantage.

Up Next
– Northwest has changed Tuesday’s game with Nebraska-Kearney due to weather concerns. The game will now be played on Tuesday, April, 4, in Kearney, Neb., starting at 4 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team beat Pittsburg State, 7-2, on Saturday at Al Ortolani Field in Pittsburg, Kan.

– Northwest improves to 19-10 overall and an even 8-8 in MIAA play. Pittsburg State falls to 12-21 and 6-13 in conference action.

– Joseph Hietpas got his fourth win of the season, throwing 7.1 innings. He allowed just two runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked two.

– Garrett Fort went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. He had a double, stole a base and was also hit by a pitch.

Key Northwest Statistics
– The Bearcats scored two in the third, one in the fourth, two in the sixth and two in the ninth. Pittsburg State single runs in the first and eighth innings.

– Northwest had seven runs on 13 hits with one error. The Gorillas committed five errors, scoring two runs on seven hits.

– Luke Hassman went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

– Ozzie Adams went 2-for-5 went an RBI and a run scored. He also stole a base.

– Landon Figg scored a run, going 1-for-5

– Jay Hrdlicka went 1-for-5.

– Kevin Handzlik had a double, going 2-for-5 with a run scored.

– Logan Rycraft went 1-for-2. He scored twice and drove in a run. He drew a walk and was also hit by a pitch.

– Jacob Wagner finished off the eight inning without allowing a runner. He struck out one.

– Nikko Pablo worked the ninth, allowing just one hit. He struck out two.

Key Northwest Innings
– Rycraft led off the third with a walk and went to second on a failed pickoff attempt. Fort hit a single then stole second to put runners on second and third. Adams singled through to center, driving in Rycraft. After a pitching change, Hassman hit an RBI single to right, bringing in Fort to make it 2-0.

– Greenslade reached on an error in the fourth and went to second on a throwing error. Fort came up with an RBI single to right, driving in Greenslade to make it 3-1 Bearcats.

– In the sixth, Handzlik hit a leadoff single to left and went to second on an error. After an out, Rycraft drove in Handzlik with an RBI single to left. Fort then doubled to left, scoring Rycraft.

– Adams and Figg hit back-to-back singles to start the ninth, putting runners on the corners. Hassman came up with an RBI single to right, driving in Adams. After another pitching change, a failed pickoff attempt allowed Figg to score from third.

Up Next
– The series concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Pittsburg, Kan.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University softball team won a conference double header with Central Missouri on Saturday.

– The Bearcats won the first game 11-0 and took the second 4-2.

-Northwest improves to 19-11 on the year, and 8-2 in MIAA play.

-UCM is now 17-19 overall and 7-4 in conference action..

-Northwest hit four home runs on the day
Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 11, Central Missouri 0)
-Northwest scored five in the first and six in the fourth.

-The Bearcats scored 11 runs off nine hits with no errors. UCM had two hits and two errors.

-Chantel Adams went 3-for-3 with five RBIs and two runs scored. She hit her fourth homerun of the year in the fourth.

-Jaedra Moses went 2-for-3 in the first game, crossing the plate twice.

-Rebecca Maher went 1-for-1 with a RBI. She also walked and scored two times.

-Kaitlyn Weis went 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs and drew a walk.

-Abigail Gilson went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.

-Kiana Baderdeen went 1-for-2.

-Karli Allen had a RBI.

-Taylor Blackford got the win, going 5.0 innings. She struck out one in the shutout. She allowed just two hits and one walk.

Game One Key Innings
-In the first Blythe was hit by a pitch and Moses singled to third. Maher singled up the middle, scoring Blythe. Weis drew a walk followed by an Adams single to right center scoring Maher and Moses. Gilson reached first on an error, scoring Weis. Allen grounded to short scoring Adams to make it 5-0.

-In the fourth inning Moses singled through the left side and Maher walked. Weis singled to center field scoring Moses and Blythe. Adams hit a three-run homerun to left center driving in Weis and Maher. Gilson scored the final run of the game with a home run to left field, giving Northwest an 11-0 victory.
Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 4, Central Missouri 2)
-Northwest scored two in the first and two in the fourth. The Jennies scored one in the third and one in the fourth.

-The Bearcats had four runs on seven hits with two errors. Central Missouri scored two runs on seven hits with one error.

-Gilson went 1-for-3 with a run scored. She hit her seventh homerun of the year in the fourth.

-Rawie went 1-for-3 with a RBI and one run scored. She hit her first homerun of the year in the fourth.

-Blythe went 1-for-2 and drew a walk.

-Maher went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

-Weis went 1-for-3 with a RBI. She pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit. She got the win, recording two strikeouts.

-Adams went 1-for-3.

-Baderdeen went 1-for-2.

-Holly Posegate started and pitched 3.2 innings. She struck out two and allowed six hits and one walk.

Game Two Key Innings
-In the first Blythe walked to lead off the inning but was forced out at second on a Moses fielder’s choice. Maher and Weis hit back to back singles to score Moses and Maher, to make it 2-0 Northwest.

-Northwest got two runs on back to back blasts in the fourth. Gilson took a 2-2 pitch over the left field fence for a solo shot. Rawie took the second pitch she saw over the center field fence, to make it 4-2 Northwest.

Up Next
-Northwest will play at Missouri Western Tuesday, April 4, in conference double header action starting at 3 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team beat Pittsburg State, 7-0, on Friday evening at Al Ortolani Field in Pittsburg, Kan.

– Northwest moves to 18-10 overall with the win and 7-8 in MIAA play. Pittsburg State falls to 12-20 on the season and 6-12 in conference action.

– Senior Anthony Caenepeel threw the complete-game shutout. He struck out 14 Gorillas, giving him 225 for his career, setting a Northwest record.

– The previous mark was held by Scott Kurtz (1966-69) with 223 strikeouts.

– All nine Bearcats in the starting lineup reached base safely on Friday.

Key Northwest Statistics
– The Bearcats scored two in the second, two in the fourth, one in the seventh and two in the ninth.

– Northwest had seven runs on 13 hits with no errors. Pittsburg State had five hits and two errors.

– Canepeel went the complete 9.0 innings. He allowed just the five hits and two walks. He set Pittsburg State down in order in the third, fifth, sixth and eighth innings.

– Garrett Fort was 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

– Kolby Greenslade drove in four runs, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. He had a home run in the fourth inning.

– Kevin Handzlik was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.

– Logan Rycaraft scored two runs, going 2-for-4 with a double.

– Jay Hrdlicka had a double, going 1-for-3 with a run scored.

– James Holler hand an RBI single in the ninth, going 1-for-5.

– Ozzie Adams was 1-for-4 with a walk.

– Landon Figg went 1-for-5 on the day.

– Luke Hassman drew a pair of walks and stole a base.

Key Northwest Innings
– Hrdlicka had a two-out double in the second and went to third on a Handzlik single. Handzlik moved up to second on a wild pitch and both came around to score on a Greenslade single to left, making it 2-0 Northwest.

-In the fourth, Handzlik hit a two-out single to center. Greenslade then launched a home run over the left field fence to give the Bearcats a 4-0 lead.

– A seventh inning error gave Northwest a fifth run. Rycraft doubled to lead off the frame and went to third on a groundout. After a flyout, Rycraft came around to score after an error by the left fielder.

– The Bearcats added on two runs in the ninth. Rycraft doubled with one down to left center and came around to score on a Fort RBI single to left. After an Adams walk, both runners moved up after a balk. With two down, Hassman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Holler hit a single to right, scoring Fort. Adams, trying to score from second was tagged out at the plate.

Up Next
– The three-game series continues on Saturday and concludes on Sunday. Both games are scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University softball team split a conference double header with Southwest Baptist on Friday.

-Northwest won the first game, 8-0, but fell in the second game 1-0.

-Northwest improves to 17-11 on the year, and 6-2 in MIAA play.

-SBU is now 23-9 overall and 7-3 in conference action.
Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 8, Southwest Baptist 0)

-Northwest scored one in the first, three in the third, one in the fourth and three in the sixth.

-Northwest scored eight runs off 5 hits. SBU had four hits. Neither team committed an error.

-Torri Blythe was 3-for-4 in the first game.

-Rebecca Maher went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. She also had a walk.

-Kaitlyn Weis was 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in the sixth. She also had a double and drove in four runs.

-Jessica Rawie was 3-for-3 with a run scored.

-Jaedra Moses was 1-for-3. She drew a walk and scored twice.

-Kiana Baderdeen was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

-Chantel Adams was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

-Abigail Gilson scored a run and was 1-for-3 in the first game.

-Taylor Blackford got the win, going 6.0 innings. She struck out five in the shutout. She allowed just four hits and four walks.

Game One Key Innings
-In the first Moses drew a one out walk and went to second on a Maher single. Two batters later Adams drove in the first run of the game on a single to left, scoring Moses.

-In the third inning Maher lead off with a single to short but was out on Weis fielder’s choice. After an out, Gilson hit a single to shortstop to put runners on the corners with two down. Rawie hit an RBI single to left, scoring Weis. Karli Allen drew a walk to load the bases. Baderdeen came up with a two RBI single to left scoring Rawie and Gilson to make it 4-0 Northwest.

-Maher singled to third in the fourth and scored off Weis’ double to right center.

-Moses singled to left and Maher walked. Weis ended the game with a three-run blast to left center, giving Northwest an 8-0 victory.
Game Two Key Statistics (Southwest Baptist 1, Northwest 0)

-Southwest Baptist scored the game’s lone run in the fourth inning.

-Northwest had three hits. SBU had one run on seven hits. Neither team had an error.

-Allen was 2-for-3 in the second game.

-Maher was 1-for-2 with a walk.

-Weis pitched 5.0 innings. She allowed one run on six hits and struck out one and walked one.

-Holly Posegate worked 2.0 innings in scoreless relief. She allowed one hit and no walks with a strikeout.

Game Two Key Innings
-Weis put SBU down in the order in the second and Posegate worked a 3-up 3-down inning in the sixth.

Up Next
-Northwest will host Central Missouri tomorrow, April 1, in conference double header action starting at noon.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team beat Nebraska-Kearney, 8-2, on Tuesday at Memorial Field in Kearney, Neb.

– The win moves the Bearcats to 17-10 on the year and 6-8 in MIAA play. The Lopers fall to 8-19 overall and 1-13 in conference action.

– Jay Hrdlicka went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. He had a double, scored a run and drew a walk.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Landon Figg went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. He was also hit by a pitch.

– Luke Hassman was 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles. He scored twice and drove in a pair of runs.

– James Holler went 1-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, an RBI, a double and a walk. He also stole a base.

– Kevin Handzlik pinch hit in the ninth and collected an RBI single.

– Luke Wilkinson got a hit in his only at bat.

– Kolby Greenslade was 1-for-5 and Logan Rycraft went 1-for-4.

– Garrett Fort scored two runs in the game and also drew a walk.

– Ozzie Adams drew a walk in the game.

– Eddy Kraber got the win, going 5.2 innings in the start. He allowed two runs on four hits. He walked just two batters and struck out one.

– Jacob Wagner got the last out of the sixth inning without allowing a runner.

– Austin Battaglia allowed just a walk in 2.0 innings of scoreless relief. He struck out one.

– Nikko Pablo finished off the ninth, allowing just a walk while striking out two.

Key Northwest Innings
– A two-out rally in the first inning gave the Bearcats an early lead. Figg singled to right and came around to score on a Hassman double down the left field line. Holler traded places with Hassman with a double of his own to left, making the score 2-0. Hrdlicka took the first pitch he saw back up the middle for an RBI single to center, scoring Holler.

– With two outs in the fourth, Fort reached on an error by the shortstop and went to second on an Adams walk. Figg came up with an RBI single to center, giving Northwest a 4-0 lead.

– Fort led off the ninth with a walk and went to second on an Adams sacrifice bunt. Figg was hit by a pitch and Hassman doubled down the right field line, scoring Fort from second. Holler reached on a fielder’s choice as Figg was tagged out at home on the play. With runners on the corners, Hrdlicka came up with another big hit, this time with a double down the right field line to score two. After a pitching change, Handzlik came up and hit an RBI single to center, scoring Hrdlicka to make it 8-2 Northwest.

Up Next
– The Bearcats will begin a three-game series at Pittsburg State starting on Friday, March 31, at 6 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to No. 9 Central Missouri, 9-4, on Monday afternoon at Bearcat Field in Maryville, Mo.

– The Bearcats fall to 16-10 on the year and 5-8 in conference play. Central Missouri improves to 20-6 and 12-4 in MIAA action.

– Landon Figg hit his first home run of the season in the fifth. He went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a double.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored one run in the third, one in the fourth and two in the fifth. The Mules got five in the fourth, two in the fifth, one in the seventh and one in the ninth.

– The Bearcats scored four runs on 10 hits with no errors. Central Missouri had nine runs with 10 hits and no errors.

– Luke Hassman was 2-for-3 with a home run. He also drew a walk.

– Jay Hrdlicka was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk.

– Ozzie Adams went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a walk.

– Kolby Greenslade was 1-for-3 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

– Kevin Handzlik and Logan Rycraft were each 1-for-4.

– James Holler drew two walks.

– Brad Roberts got the start and went 4.0 innings. He struck out four and issued just one walk.

– Jacob Wagner worked a scoreless fifth inning, allowing one hit with a strikeout.

– Quintin Van Ackeren pitched 3.0 innings, allowing one run. He struck out two and walked one.

– Nikko Pablo came in for the ninth inning, allowing one run on one hit. He did not issue a walk and struck out two.

Key Northwest Innings
– With two down in the third, Adams drew a four-pitch walk to keep the inning alive. Figg took an 0-1 pitch down the first base line and deep into right field. Adams, who took off on contact, was able to score all the way from first on Figg’s double.

– Hrdlicka hit a one out single to right in the fourth and went to third on a Handzlik single up the middle. Greenslade lifted a sacrifice fly deep to left center, allowing Hrdlicka to tag and score for Northwest’s second run.

– The Bearcats put together a two-out rally in the fifth, courtesy of back-to-back long balls. Figg took a 1-0 pitch over the right field fence for his first home run of the season. Hassman then worked a 3-0 count and on a green light, launched his team-leading fifth home run over the left field wall for Northwest’s fourth run of the game.

Up Next
– Northwest has altered its midweek schedule Nebraska-Kearney. The Bearcats will now play on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in Kearney, Neb., instead of on Wednesday.

— Northwest Athletics —

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University junior Justin Pitts was named the DII Bulletin Player of the Year and coach Ben McCollum has been announced as the Coach of the Year. Pitts was also named to the publication’s All-America first team and McCollum captured the MIAA Coach of the Year honor.

Pitts was also named the NABC and Basketball Times Player of the Year earlier this month. He averaged 20.9 points in 36 games this season. He set the Northwest career record with 1,929 points and set single season records with 754 points, 183 assists, 275 made field goals and 553 field goals attempted. He scored in double figures in 34 of the team’s 36 games. He was named the MIAA Player of the Year, the MIAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, the NCAA Central Region Most Outstanding Player and the NCAA Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player.

McCollum, who completed his eighth season at Northwest, led the Bearcats to a Northwest and a program and MIAA record 35 victories en route to the 2017 NCAA Division II national championship. He was named the MIAA Coach of the Year for the third straight season. He was also named the NABC Coach of the Year. He holds a 176-71 record and is one of just three programs nationwide to win 20 or more games in each of the past six seasons.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University softball team swept Northeastern State on Sunday in Tahlequah, Okla.

Northwest is now 16-10 on the year and 5-1 in MIAA play. The RiverHawks fall to 17-18 overall and 6-6 in conference action.
Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 5, Northeastern State 4)
– Northwest scored three in the third and two in the sixth. The RiverHawks scored one in the first, one in the fourth and two in the fifth.

– The Bearcats had five runs on 10 hits with four errors. Northeastern state had four runs on six hits with an error.

– Torri Blythe was 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a double.

– Rebecca Maher also went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

– Chantel Adams was 2-for-3 with an RBI. She drew a walk and had a double.

– Abigail Gilson went 2-for-3 with a run scored, a double and a walk.

– Karli Allen went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

– Kiana Baderdeen drove in a run.

– Kaitlin Weis was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

– Holly Posegate got the win. She pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief with four strikeouts.

– Taylor Blackford got the start. She allowed two earned runs in 4.1 innings. She struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Game One Key Innings
– Northwest scored three in the third as Allen, Blythe and Maher all scored. The inning was helped by an error to begin the inning. Maher, Weis and Adams each had RBIs in the inning.

– In the sixth, Adams led off with a single and Gilson doubled to center. Rawie walked to load the bases. After an out, Baderdeen hit a sacrifice fly to score Gilson. Blythe then hit an RBI double to score Rawie.
Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 5, Northeastern State 2)
– Northwest scored two in the first and three in the sixth. The RiverHawks got their two runs in the fifth.

– The Bearcats had five runs on 12 hits. Northeastern
State had two runs on three hits. Neither team had an error.

– Blythe was 2-for-4.

– Maher was 1-for-4 with a run.

– Weis was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a double and an RBI. She also threw a complete game in the circle, allowing just two runs on three hits. She struck out two. She had a no-hitter going into the fifth inning.

– Adams was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

– Gilson went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

– Rawie went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

– Kailey Siemonsma got a pinch-hit RBI double.

– Baderden went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Game Two Key Innings
– Blythe led off the first with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Maher singled but Blythe was tagged out at third. Weis singled to drive in Maher and Adams followed it with a single to score Weis.

– Weis started the sixth with a double. After an out, Gilson singled to short and Rawie had a single to left to score Weis. Siemonsma pinch hit and doubled to center, scoring Gilson. Baderdeen then hit a single to center to score Rawie.

Up Next
– Northwest will play Newman University on Tuesday, March 28, in Blue Springs, Mo., starting at 1:30 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —