Pittsburg, Kan. – The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Pittsburg State, 8-6, on Sunday in MIAA action.

Northwest falls to 15-15 overall and 11-9 in MIAA play. Pitt State improves to 9-18 and 5-11 in conference action.

With the loss, the Gorillas earned a series split after winning one game on Saturday. The Bearcats won on Friday and in game two of yesterday’s doubleheader.

Northwest Missouri State scored six runs on eight hits and did not committ an error. Northwest got single runs in the fourth and fifth innings before putting together a four-run seventh inning.

Pitt State scored eight runs on 13 hits but kept the door open by committing four errors. The Gorillas scored two in the second, one in the third, four in the fifth and one in the sixth.

Nikko Pablo got the loss, going 4.1 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits. He walked two batters and struck out one.

Paul Johnson was 3-for-5 on the day with a triple and an RBI.

Nick Gotta and Austin Wulff each picked up a pair of hits. Both recorded doubles, had an RBI and scored a run.

Catcher Derek Meyer was 1-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.

The Bearcats will return home for five straight games beginning on Tuesday, March 31, with a non-conference nine-inning game against Peru State. MIAA play continues on Thursday, April 2, with Lindenwood.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team split a Saturday doubleheader with Pittsburg State at Al Ortolani Field in Pittsburg, Kan.

The Bearcats fell in game one, 5-3, but rebounded for a 9-3 win in the second game. Both games were seven inning contests.

Northwest is now 15-14 overall and 11-8 in MIAA play. The Gorillas are 8-18 overall and 4-11 in conference action.

In game one, Joseph Hietpas started for Northwest, going 4.2 innings. He struck out five batters, walking just one. He allowed eight hits and five runs.

Garrett Fort went 2-for-3 and scored two runs, while Derek Meyer had a pair of RBI, going 1-for-4 in the game.  Paul Johnson was 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and Nick Gotta, Steven Garber and Luke Wilkinson all had one hit.

In game two, Brad Roberts went 5.1 innings, allowing just one earned run with a pair of strikeouts. He walked just one batter and allowed only four hits.

Carson Smith worked finished the sixth and worked a scoreless seventh. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Meyer and Garber each collected a pair of hits and a pair of RBI on the day. Meyer scored a run and also had a stolen base.

Wulff was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk.  Luke Wilkinson hit a two-run homerun in the second inning, while Gotta, Johnson and Fort all had base hits for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats and the Gorillas conclude the four-game series Sunday afternoon with a nine-inning contest scheduled for 1 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team used a pair of impressive pitching performances to sweep Lindenwood on Saturday afternoon in Maryville.

Sarah Baldwin gave up six hits in a complete game effort in game one, leading to a 5-3 Bearcat victory.

And after being one pitch away from a perfect game Friday, Kendle Schieber followed that up with a two-hit shutout in Northwest’s 5-0 victory in game two.

Northwest improved to 13-15 this season and 7-5 in the conference, while the Lady Lions fall to 6-28 and 2-14 in MIAA play.

In game one, Chantel Adams finished 2-for-3 with a grand slam, her fourth home run this season.  Baylee Scarbrough added a pair of singles for the Bearcats, while Rebecca Maher scored two runs, including a solo home run in the fifth.

In game two, Schieber racked up a pair of singles, while Cassidy Lee scored two runs after reaching base three times, including a double.

Madison Jones reached base twice and scored one run, and Adams drove in two runs on a first inning single.

The Bearcats will host Missouri Western in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

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

Northwest moves to 14-13 on the year and 10-7 in the MIAA. Pitt State drops to 7-17 overall and 3-10 in conference action.

The Bearcats got single runs in the first, third and sixth innings before plating four in the top of the eighth.

Starting pitcher Anthony Caenepeel moved to 4-0 on the season, striking out eight batters in his first complete game of the season. He allowed just two runs on nine hits.

Paul Johnson and Steven Garber each went 3-for-4 at the plate for the Bearcats.

Northwest and Pitt State continue their MIAA series Saturday at 1 p.m. with a double header. Both games will be seven-inning contests.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team picked up a pair of conference victories over Lincoln on Friday afternoon in Maryville.

After falling behind by two in the top of the seventh, the Bearcats rallied in the bottom of the inning to win game one, 4-3.  Northwest scored in the first inning and never let up in game two, winning 8-0 in five innings.

Northwest is now 11-15 on the year and 5-5 in conference play, while the Blue Tigers fall to 3-25 overall and 2-12 in the MIAA.

Kendle Schieber threw a one-hit shutout in game two and finished the day 3-for-3 with four RBI and a home run at the dish.

The Bearcats will face off against Lindenwood on Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for noon.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team earned a mid-week split in a pair of non-conference games on the road on Wednesday.

Culver-Stockton beat the Bearcats in game one in Canton, Mo., 6-3.  And in the nightcap, Northwest traveled to Quincy, Ill., and beat Quincy University, 4-3, in 13 innings.

The Bearcats are now 13-13 overall.

Against Culver-Stockton, Northwest scored two runs in the second and one run in the third, while the Wildcats had a six-run third inning.

Northwest used five pitchers on the day. John Osborne started, going 2.1 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits with two strikeouts.

Steven Garber was 2-for-3 with a double, while Kevin Handzlik and James Holler each picked up two hits and each scored a run. Holler and Zach Douglas each had an RBI.

Against Quincy, the Bearcats got the game started with a run in the top of the first as Nick Gotta drew a walk to begin the game and came around to score on a double play ball from  Johnson. Gotta was aided by a wild pitch that advanced him to second during Derek Meyer’s at bat.

In the second inning with one out, Greenslade reached on an error by the first baseman and moved to second on a Hardegree single. Both runners moved up on a Garrett Fort groundout, putting runners on second and third with two out. Austin Wulff hit an 0-1 offering up the middle for a single, scoring both Greenslade and Hardegree, making it 3-0 Northwest.

In the top of the 13th inning, Aaron Barratt drew a one out walk and moved to second on an infield single from Johnson. Garber took an 0-1 pitch down the left field line for a double to drive in Barratt with the go ahead run.

In the bottom of the 13th, Henrich came on for his second inning of work and put the Hawks down in order for the win.

The Bearcats return to MIAA play starting on Friday, March 27, with a 4 p.m. game against Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kan. Saturday’s doubleheader will start at 1 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. game on Sunday.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team dropped both games in Wednesday’s doubleheader against William Jewell in Liberty, Mo.

The Bearcats jumped out to an early lead in game one, but WJC rallied to win, 4-3, while three Northwest home runs in game two were not enough to overcome a barrage of Cardinal hits as the Bearcats lost 8-5.

Northwest Missouri State is now 9-15 on the season, while William Jewell improves to 15-8.

In game one, Stephanie Mark reached base in all four of her at bats, hitting a home run and a single while drawing two walks. The senior drove in two runs and scored another.

Torri Blythe drove her first double of the year to deep center, finishing 1-for-4 with a run scored, while Rebecca Maher smacked a pair of singles and drove in one run.

Sarah Baldwin threw six solid innings for the Bearcats, giving up three earned runs on nine hits to take the loss. The senior struck out three and did not walk a batter.

In game two, Mark crushed two more home runs and added a single at the dish.  Chantel Adams finished 4-for-4 with four singles, while Maher belted her third home run of the season, driving in two runs.

Abbie Vitosh got the start in game two, throwing 3 1/3 innings and giving up five runs on nine hits to take the loss.

Northwest returns to conference play this weekend when Lincoln comes to Maryville on Friday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State University men’s and women’s tennis teams dropped non-conference matches at Midwestern State on Wednesday in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The No. 19 ranked Bearcat men’s team fell to No. 14 Midwestern State, 6-3. Northwest is now 8-5 on the year while the Mustangs improved to 10-4.

The Northwest women’s team fell to the No. 14 ranked Mustangs, 8-1. The Bearcats moved to 7-4 overall while Midwestern State improved to 7-5.

Men’s Match Results
Singles competition
1. Kacper Boborykin (MIDWEST) def. Boissinot,Romain (NW) 6-0, 6-7, 7-6
2. Kyle Davidson (MIDWEST) def. Tete,Mauro (NW) 6-1, 6-7, 6-3
3. Ramon Toyos (MIDWEST) def. Riveros,Alvaro (NW) 6-4, 6-2
4. Chris Norrie (MIDWEST) def. Altmann,Josef (NW) 6-4, 6-3
5. Azzaoui,Hicham (NW) def. Keegan Sullivan (MIDWEST) 6-3, 6-2
6. Autones,Aymeric (NW) def. Matt Tyer (MIDWEST) 6-0, 7-6 (9-7)

Doubles competition
1. Riveros,Alvaro/Autones,Aymeric (NW) def. Tomas Grejtak/Ramon Toyos (MIDWEST) 8-5
2. Kacper Boborykin/Kyle Davidson (MIDWEST) def. Boissinot,Romain/Tete,Mauro (NW) 8-2
3. Zack Santagate/Chris Norrie (MIDWEST) def. Altmann,Josef/Glowick,Fin (NW) 8-6

Women’s Match Results
Singles competition
1. Quesada,Camila (NW) def. Kayla Casey (MIDWEST) 7-5, 6-7, 7-6
2. Taylor Coffman (MIDWEST) def. Jarolim,Lorena Rivas (NW) 7-5, 6-4
3. Madeline Schorlemmer (MIDWEST) def. Jaquet,Margaux (NW) 6-0, 6-2
4. Courtney Anderson (MIDWEST) def. Mannix,Stephanie (NW) 6-2, 6-1
5. Paige Boykin (MIDWEST) def. Hull,Marianne (NW) 6-1, 6-0
6. Lindsay Nochowicz (MIDWEST) def. Sestokaite,Vilune (NW) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Kayla Casey/Taylor Coffman (MIDWEST) def. Quesada,Camila/Jarolim,Lorena Rivas (NW) 8-3
2. Lauren Pineda/Lindsay Nochowicz (MIDWEST) def. Dibbins,Rachel/Sestokaite,Vilune (NW) 8-2
3. Paige Boykin/Madeline Schorlemmer (MIDWEST) def. Jaquet,Margaux/Mannix,Stephanie (NW) 8-0

The Bearcats resume MIAA play tomorrow with men’s and women’s matches at Emporia State starting at noon in Emporia, Kan. Northwest returns to campus on Friday, March 27, against East Central University at 10 a.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State University men’s and women’s tennis teams picked up wins over Cameron University on Tuesday afternoon in Lawton, Okla.

The No. 16 ranked men’s team beat No. 19 Cameron, 6-3, to move to 8-4 on the season. Cameron drops to 7-6 with the loss.

The Northwest women beat the No. 31 ranked Cameron team, 5-4, to move to 7-3 on the year. The Aggies drop to 6-4.

Men’s Match Results
Singles competition
1. Boissinot,Romain (NW) def. Dennis Merdan (CU) 6-3, 6-0
2. Tete,Mauro (NW) def. Joao Fazendeiro (CU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Riveros,Alvaro (NW) def. Angelo Lencioni (CU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Felipe Oyarzun (CU) def. Altmann,Josef (NW) 6-4, 6-3
5. Azzaoui,Hicham (NW) def. Mateo Velaso (CU) 7-6, 7-5
6. Autones,Aymeric (NW) def. Dean Weigelt (CU) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Dennis Merdan/Joao Fazendeiro (CU) def. Riveros,Alvaro/Autones,Aymeric (NW) 8-4
2. Mateo Velaso/Felipe Oyarzun (CU) def. Tete,Mauro/Boissinot,Romain (NW) 9-8 (6-0)
3. Altmann,Josef/Glowick,Fin (NW) def. Florian Kartner/Andres Velasco (CU) 9-7

Women’s Match Results
Singles competition
1. Paula Gutierrez (CU) def. Quesada,Camila (NW) 6-3, 6-4
2. Jarolim,Lorena Rivas (NW) def. Angie Torres (CU) 6-1, 6-0
3. Samantha Wood (CU) def. Jaquet,Margaux (NW) 6-2, 6-2
4. Magdalena Kovinic (CU) def. Kolen,Aniek (NW) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
5. Mannix,Stephanie (NW) def. Eugenia Sanchez (CU) 6-3, 6-2
6. Hull,Marianne (NW) def. Dejana Veljic (CU) 7-5, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Quesada,Camila/Jarolim,Lorena Rivas (NW) def. Paula Gutierrez/Eugenia Sanchez (CU) 8-2
2. Jaquet,Margaux/Sestokaite,Vilune (NW) def. Angie Torres/Magdalena Kovinic (CU) 8-3
3. Samantha Wood/Dejana Veljic (CU) def. Kolen,Aniek/Mannix,Stephanie (NW) 9-8 (4-0)

The spring break road trip for the Bearcats continues tomorrow as the men’s and women’s teams take on Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, at 1 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University freshman point guard Justin Pitts has been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Central District team. The All-District team is selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC in NCAA Division II.

Pitts was named a first team All-MIAA performer, earning conference Freshman of the Year honors after averaging at team-best 17.2 points in 28 games this season. He made 27 starts, was 87-for-102 (85.3 percent) from the charity stripe, shot 55.3 percent from the field (172-for-311), hit 49.5 percent from beyond the arc (51-for-103), had 92 assists, 79 rebounds, 45 steals and four blocked shots. He was named to the All-Central Region Tournament team, scoring 65 points in three games in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Bearcats finished the year 25-7 overall and won the outright MIAA regular season championship with a 15-4 record. Northwest advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen for the second straight year. The 25 wins was the most in head coach Ben McCollum’s six years with the Bearcats.

Central First Team
Connor Beranek, Nebraska-Kearney
Tirrell Brown, Ouachita Baptist
Dan Jansen, Augustana
Assem Marei, Minnesota State, Mankato
Jordan Riewer, Minnesota State, Moorhead
Casey Schilling,Augustana

Second Team
Brett Ervin, Minnesota Duluth
Brennen Hughes, Central Missouri
Andraz Kavas, Harding
Zach Monaghan, Minnesota State, Mankato
Justin Pitts, Northwest Missouri

Coach of the Year: Chad Walthall, Minnesota State, Moorhead

— Northwest Sports Information —