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Category: College

Missouri Western to host Australian National Pro Fastpitch team

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ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University will serve as the host site for the Aussie Spirit of the National Pro Fastpitch league this spring and summer with the NPF’s Opening Day coming at the Griffon Spring Sport Complex.

The Missouri Western campus will be the official training home for the Australian team that will compete in the professional softball league in preparation for the Women’s Softball World Championship in Chiba, Japan and the return of softball to the Summer Olympics in 2020. Aussie Spirit will conduct practices and training sessions on campus in addition to playing five of its NPF games at the Spring Sports Complex.

The NPF has chosen Spirit’s inaugural game at Missouri Western on May 19 as the league’s Opening Day. Spirit will host the NPF’s other international team, the Beijing Eagles ,in the league’s first game of the 2018 season. It will bring an Olympic-type environment to the Spring Sports Complex. Much like the Spirit, the Beijing Eagles are a Chinese national team preparing for international competition through NPF games and are coached by northwest Missouri native and Mizzou softball legend Teresa Wilson.

“Missouri Western is proud to partner with Softball Australia and National Pro Fastpitch to provide a top-tier training environment as Australia prepares for the 2018 World Championship and qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo,” MWSU Director of Athletics Josh Looney said. “Hosting international competition and NPF’s 2018 Opening Day is an incredible opportunity to showcase our campus and community to softball fans across the globe. From serving as the home base of the Aussie Spirit, to hosting our ninth consecutive Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in July and August, more than 100 professional athletes will call MWSU home this summer.”

In addition to games in St. Joseph, the team will play games in the Kansas City area and around the Midwest as part of a 48-game NPF schedule. The professional softball league is in its 15th season and is led by a familiar name in Griffon Softball lore. Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame member and St. Joseph native Cheri Kempf serves as the league’s commissioner.

“A key for international growth in the NPF is quality partnership with U.S hosting entities. Missouri Western has been enthusiastic about a hosting opportunity since we first approached them with the idea,” Kempf said. “MWSU is a campus that is accustomed to hosting professional sports training and St. Joseph has always been an enthusiastic fastpitch softball community. I look forward to the Aussie Spirit calling St. Joseph and Missouri Western State University home for the 2018 season and know they will love it there.”

“We are so proud to boast a facility that Cheri Kempf felt welcomed the needs of the Australian National team,” Griffon Softball Head Coach Jen Bagley Trotter said. “St. Joseph, Missouri Western and the fastpitch community have a special opportunity to see the top level of competition in our sport. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Aussie Spirit is one of two international teams in the league that features five teams. Currently, Spirit is scheduled to play games at the Spring Sports Complex on May 19 at 7 p.m.; a doubleheader on May 20 beginning at 4 p.m.; and another doubleheader at 4 p.m. on July 13. A complete schedule and ticket information can be found on the official website of the NPF, profastpitch.com.

— MWSU Athletics —

Will Martin named Missouri Western men’s basketball assistant coach

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ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western head men’s basketball coach Sundance Wicks has announced the hiring of Will Martin as assistant coach.

“To say Coach Martin is a perfect fit for what we are trying to do here at Missouri Western would be a massive understatement,” Wicks said. “I have five key components that I look for in someone that will help lead our young men: Will brings the juice every day. He fights to make a difference in the lives of those he interacts with daily. He views what we do as art and is constantly improving the way he teaches the game and relates to people. Will acts with intention and gets things done. Coach Martin is fiercely loyal, brutally honest, completely transparent and relentlessly optimistic in his approach to life.”

“For our program to head in the right direction, I wanted to have this caliber of a man by my side, daily.”

Martin comes to Missouri Western after spending the past season as an assistant coach and director of athletic admissions at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee. Wicks and Martin worked together at the University of San Francisco where Martin served as the director of basketball operations on Rex Walter’s staff.

“It is an absolute honor to be welcomed into the Missouri Western family,” Martin said. “I am beyond excited to join in the vision of Coach Wicks for this program. The foundations of Energy, Transparency, and Relentless Optimism are standards I look forward to help implementing as we embark on this incredible journey of building culture at Missouri Western.”

“The opportunity to serve under a man like Sundance Wicks is once in a lifetime. I can’t thank him enough for putting his trust in me as we lead these young men through the GRIT and the GRIND with true LOVE and PASSION.”

Prior to San Francisco, Martin was a graduate assistant and video coordinator at the University of Tulsa from 2013-15. During his time at Tulsa, Martin worked with both Danny Manning and Frank Haith. Martin also served as Senator for the College of Education during his time at Tulsa.

“Will Martin is very knowledgeable, smart, organized, honest and passionate about the game of basketball,” Wake Forest head coach Danny Manning said. “His honesty and loyalty will continue to set him apart.”

As an undergraduate, Martin served as a men’s basketball manager at the University of Kentucky under head coach John Calipari. During Martin’s tenure with the Wildcats, the team reached the Elite 8 on three occasions, the Final Four, twice, and Martin served as the head manager of the 2012 National Championship team.

“Will was a valuable member of our program during his time at Kentucky,” Kentucky head coach John Calipari said. “His passion for the game and genuine care for the kids are exemplified in his work ethic. We are excited for Will and look forward to his continued success in coaching.”

In addition to his duties with the men’s basketball program, Martin served as captain of the University of Kentucky Ethics Debate team from 2009-11. Under his direction, Kentucky claimed its first-ever regional championship and national appearance in the team’s history.

Martin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kentucky in 2012 and obtained his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Tulsa in 2015.

Off the hardwood, Martin also is involved in a prison ministry project – “Against the Grain” – where he serves as a volunteer teacher of the “180 Project.”

Martin replaces Aaron Coombs who was named head coach at Oklahoma Panhandle State on April 16.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WILL MARTIN
“I was really fortunate to get to work with Will Martin for a year in San Francisco. With Will as my director of operations, I knew that my players were going to be taken care of each and every day. No one cares amore and is more willing to bend over backwards to make sure his student athletes have what they need to be successful. Will is going to be a great assistant coach. The student athletes at Missouri Western got a great one in him.” – Detroit Pistons assistant coach Rex Walters

“Will Martin did an awesome job for us. He has a great passion and energy for the game that is evident by his ability to relate and connect with team members and staff. I enjoyed learning from Will and watching him grow. We are super excited for his next opportunity. I look forward to following Will throughout his career and would love one day for our paths to cross again.” – Martin Methodist head coach Scott Combs

“It was great working with Will at the University of Kentucky. He was a passionate and loyal worker for the program. He has a gift of communicating with young players. I knew there would come a time when will would be coaching young men. I believe he is going to do a fabulous job at Missouri Western.” – Tony Delk, SEC Network

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri baseball wins wild game at Iowa in 11 innings

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IOWA CITY, Iowa – Mizzou Baseball scored 11 runs from the eighth through 11th innings to complete a 17-16 comeback win over Iowa Tuesday afternoon at Duane Banks Field. Mizzou trailed 8-0 after three, 13-6 after six and 14-13 after eight innings and completed the comeback by scoring two runs in the top of the 11th inning. Sophomore SS Chris Cornelius drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the 11th inning as part of a career-best six RBI in the game. Junior OF Zach Hanna drove home the game-winning run with a single in the next at-bat.

Mizzou had six different hitters tally multiple-hit performances as the Tigers slugged a season-high 24 hits, its most since posting 26 against Texas on April 11, 2008. To put the crazy game into perspective, Mizzou junior Brian Sharp entered the game as a pitcher in the fourth inning and finished 4-for-4 with four runs, including the go-ahead run in the 11th inning, and two RBI. Senior RHPAndy Toelken entered the game as a pitcher and had a hit as well. Mizzou left 17 men on base and scored 17 runs.

RS junior RHP Bryce Montes De Oca earned his fifth win of the year after throwing a shutout 10th inning and Luke Anderson earned his first career save.

TURNING POINT

There were about 15 turning points in Tuesday’s game, but none bigger than the 11th inning. Junior Brian Sharp led off the frame with a single and Paul Gomez followed that with a single up the middle. That set the stage for Cornelius, who roped a single through the left side and Sharp slid in just ahead of the tag for the 16th run. Hanna singled one batter later to extended the lead to 17-15, which was huge because Iowa hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 11th inning.

QUOTING MIZZOU

Head Coach Steve Bieser

“The guys laid it all on the line today. You talk about some resiliency and just battling all the way through and never gave in. There were lots of ups and downs, but they just kept trusting one another.”

TOP TIGERS

  • Senior 1B Brett Bond tallied five hits, including an RBI double in the sixth inning. It was his first game with three or more hits game since March 23 against Mississippi State. It was his first four-hit game since May 2, 2017, vs. Murray State and he matched his career-high with five. His double was his first since April 14 at Florida. He reached base in five plate appearances Tuesday.
  • Junior 1B/OF Tony Ortiz has a successful pinch hit in each of the last two games after posting an RBI double in the fifth inning. The RBIs for Ortiz were his first since tallying three against LaSalle on March 10.
  • Junior RHP/DH/2B/1B Brian Sharp extended his hitting streak to six games with an RBI single in the fifth inning.  He entered the game as a pitcher in the fourth inning and wound up with four hits, four runs and two RBIs.
  • Freshman C Chad McDaniel extended his hitting streak to seven games with an eighth-inning single.
  • Junior OF Zach Hanna hit his fifth homer of the year, a game-tying two-run blast to cap the seven-run eighth inning. It was Mizzou’s first pinch-hit homer since Ortiz hit one against Northeastern on Feb. 23, 2018, vs. Northeastern. He had an RBI single in the 11th inning that drove in the game-winning run.
  • Junior OF Connor Brumfield hit a go-ahead ninth-inning double to highlight his fifth multi-hit game of the season.
  • Sophomore SS Chris Cornelius drove in a career-high six runs, including a bases-loaded double in the eighth inning and the game-winning RBI with a single through the left side in the 11thinning.

NOTES

  • Mizzou now leads the all-time series with Iowa, 28-13. It was the first meeting between the two teams since 1997.
  • Mizzou is still undefeated in midweek games this season and is 6-0 on Tuesdays.
  • Mizzou is now 4-3 on the year when facing left-handed starting pitcher.
  • Mizzou moves to 9-9 on the year in road games.
  • Mizzou tallied 24 hits Tuesday, a season-high, surpassing the 21 it his in game two of the season at FIU. It’s the most hits for Mizzou since 2008/
  • Mizzou played its 26th errorless game of the season Tuesday.
  • Mizzou has scored 10+ runs in three straight games for the first time since 2007.

UP NEXT

Mizzou hosts Georgia No. 20 Georgia Thursday-Saturday at Taylor Stadium.

— MWSU Athletics —

Mizzou basketball adds Evansville transfer Dru Smith

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball has signed transfer guard Dru Smith to its 2018 recruiting class, head coach Cuonzo Martin announced Tuesday. Smith transfers from the University of Evansville, where he was one of the most efficient shooters in the nation as a sophomore and earned Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman honors in 2017.

Smith started all 22 games he appeared in last season, reaching double figures 17 times and scoring at least 20 points in a game on four occasions. The Evansville, Indiana, native will sit out the 2018-19 campaign due to NCAA transfer rules and have two years of eligibility remaining.

“We are excited to welcome Dru into the Mizzou Basketball Family,” Martin said. “Dru is an experienced player who understands the kind of work ethic it takes to succeed at this level. He is a proven shooter and talented passer who can impact the game in so many ways. Dru will be an outstanding teammate and we’re thrilled to have him join the program.”

Smith averaged 13.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals as a sophomore at Evansville. The sharpshooter led the Missouri Valley Conference in three-point shooting, making 48.2 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Smith ranked third in the MVC in both field goal percentage and free throw percentage, shooting 57.8 percent from the floor and 86.2 percent from the free throw line.

Smith saw action in 28 games as a freshman, chipping in 5.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest. The 6-foot-3 guard played at Reitz High School, where he steered his squad to a 22-5 record while pouring in 20.8 points per game and grabbing 6.5 rebounds per outing as a senior.

“I really connected with Coach Martin and the staff and I already feel like a part of the family,” Smith said. “Mizzou Arena and all the facilities are incredible and I’m just ready to get there and go to work.”

As a junior in high school, Smith captained Reitz to a 29-2 record and a runner-up finish in the Indiana Class 4A State Tournament while posting 10.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per contest. He is the sixth member in a talented group of Mizzou newcomers heading in to the 2018-19 season, alongside signees Mark Smith, K.J. Santos, Javon Pickett, Xavier Pinson and Torrence Watson.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Northwest’s Gutierrez named MIAA Hitter of the Week

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University junior Mondesi Gutierrez was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week for his performance during the Bearcats’ sweep of Southwest Baptist this weekend. Gutierrez went .588 with ten total hits, ten runs scored, three doubles, one triple, nine RBIs, and he hit three home runs.

On Friday, he went 4-for-5 while scoring three runs, he hit four runs in and hit two homeruns. On Saturday he finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a double and a triple.

Northwest heads to Central Oklahoma this Friday to begin a three-game MIAA series with the Bronchos. Friday’s game will begin at 3 p.m. in Edmond, Ok.

— Northwest Athletics —

Owens, Blessie take home Missouri Western’s Student-Athlete of the Year Awards

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ST. JOSEPH – The accomplishments of Missouri Western teams, student-athletes and coaches were honored Monday night at the 19th Annual St. Joseph News-Press Golden Griffon Awards.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the event was held at the historic Missouri Theater in downtown St. Joseph. The big honors of the night went to the 2017-18 male and female Student-Athletes of the Year. Griffon Football’s Jonathan Owens was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year while Griffon Soccer’s Bridget Blessie was named Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Another highlight of the night came when director of athletics Josh Looney surprised members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee panel with the announcement of a matching donation, allowing SAAC to grant a wish for a child during the 2018-19 academic year as part of the organization’s Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraising efforts.

Award Winners and Nominees
Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Jonathan Owens (Football)
Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Bridget Blessie (Soccer)
Dr. James J. McMillen Award: Kayla Ruff (Volleyball)
Baseball Nominee: Kellan Richards
Men’s Basketball Nominee: Cole Clearman
Women’s Basketball Nominee: Melia Richardson
Cheer Squad Nominee: Kaley Dittemore
Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field Nominee: Phil Thompson
Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field Nominee: Kaitlyn Shoemaker
Football Nominee: Jonathan Owens
Men’s Golf Nominee: Patrick McCarthy
Women’s Golf Nominee: Tiffanie Yabut
Soccer Nominee: Bridget Blessie
Softball Nominee: Shelbie Atwell
Tennis Nominee: Karolina Ström
Volleyball Nominee: Kayla Ruff

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Choice Awards
SAAC Volunteer of the Year: Audrey Keim (Volleyball/Tennis)
Coach of the Year: Chad Edwards (Soccer)
Team of the Year: Volleyball
Best Actor in a GSI Feature: Marian Carbin for “The Prank”
Griff Up Award: Paige Phipps (Soccer/Women’s Basketball)
Most Intriguing Moment: Football ringing the bell for the first time

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffon women’s golf earns bid to NCAA Tournament

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ST. JOSEPH – For the first time in Missouri Western history, both the men’s and women’s golf teams will compete in NCAA Division II Regionals. The women’s team was the latest to receive the news it is in the field of 12 teams at the Central Regional to be played at Missouri Bluffs Golf Club in St. Charles, Missouri, May 7-9.

It was the third-straight regional bid for the women’s squad that is led by MIAA Golfer of the Year Shi Qing Ong. Missouri Western was one of six MIAA members selected for the women’s regional, joining Northeastern State, Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Central Missouri and Nebraska Kearney. Fort Hays State’s Hannah Perkins qualified for the regional as an individual.

The Griffons turned in six top-five finishes as a team this season, including a tie for first at the Northeastern State Women’s Golf Classic in September.

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons complete three-game sweep of Fort Hays State

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HAYS, Kan – The Missouri Western baseball team (26-21, 18-15) swept Fort Hays State (13-34, 5-28) with a 13-5 win on Sunday afternoon.

Missouri Western wasted little time in getting the brooms out for the sweep as it scored six runs in the first inning. MWSU added three runs in the third inning with an RBI single from Fahd Shakeel and a two-run home run from Brooks Day. The Griffons added a run in the eighth inning and finished with three runs in the ninth. 

Ryan Smith pitched three innings and struck out four of the nine batters he faced to earn his first save of the season. Smith played the game’s first six innings in left field before his relief appearance. He also recorded a hit and scored a run for MWSU.

NOTABLES

  • Nine different Griffons recorded a hit in the game
  • MWSUs outhit FHSU 15-6
  • Casey Danley and Brooks Day combined to go 5-for-9 with six runs scored and three RBIs
  • Levi Schreiner was 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and run scored
  • Bailey Zimmer and Dusty Stroup combined for five RBIs

UP NEXT
Missouri Western hosts Nebraska Kearney, for the last regular season series of the season, on Friday, May 4. Game one of the series is set for 7 p.m. at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Athletics —

Bearcats shutout Southwest Baptist in series finale

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The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team picked up a 4-0 victory on Sunday over Southwest Baptist at Bearcat Field in Maryville, Mo.

The Bearcats move to 29-18 overall and 24-9 in MIAA play while SBU falls to 16-31 overall and 10-23 in conference.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored one run in the first, third, fourth and eighth innings.
– The Bearcats had four runs on ten hits with one error. SBU had no runs on six hits with two errors.
– Landon Figg was perfect on the day going 4-for-4 with an RBI and three doubles.
– Hudson Bilodeau went 1-for-4 with a run scored, a double and he continued his hitting streak to 23 games.
– Luke Hassman was 1-for-4 with an RBI.
– Kevin Handzlik went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
– Aaron Barratt was 1-for-4 with a double.
– Matt Schingel finished 1-for-3 with RBI and a double.
– Logan Rycraft went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
– Quintin Van Ackeren picked up his fourth win after throwing seven shutout innings, he allowed only four hits and struck out four batters.
– Trevor Dudar grabbed his 13th save of the year to put him as the all time leader in saves in a single season.

Key Northwest Innings
– In the bottom of the first inning, Bilodeau hit a double to right center and then moved to third on a fly out. Figg followed an out with a double to right field to score Bilodeau from third.

– After an out, Gutierrez reached on an error and moved to third on a double down the right field line by Figg. Hassman would then single to left field to score Gutierrez and put the Bearcats ahead 2-0.

– After an out, Hussey walked and came around to score on a double to left field by Rycraft to put the Cats up 3-0.

– Handzlik started the eighth inning with a single up the middle and moved to third on a double to left center by Barratt. Schingel hit a sacrifice fly to deep right to score Handzlik and make the score 4-0.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on Central Oklahoma on Friday, May 4, at 3 p.m. in Edmond, Ok.

— Northwest Athletics —

Missouri loses back-and-forth game at No. 13 Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – After Mizzou Baseball rallied from down 6-1 to take a 10-6 lead, Kentucky’s Cole Kottam hit a go-ahead eighth-inning grand slam as the Wildcats claimed the series finale, 11-10,Sunday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Field. The loss drops Mizzou to 29-15 and 9-12 in SEC play while Kentucky improves to 29-15 and 10-11 in league games.

Junior RHP Bryce Montes De Oca took the loss, allowing the Cottam slam after reliever Nile Ball loaded the bases after what was a gutty outing for Ball as Mizzou rallied to take the lead. Montes De Oca falls to 5-3 on the year. Mizzou got two men on in the ninth, but Zach Hanna struck out to strand the tying run in scoring position.

Mizzou got homers from Trey Harris and Brian Sharp, the latter of which was a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning.

TURNING POINT

After falling behind 6-1, Mizzou slowly chipped away at Kentucky’s lead and ultimately tied the game in the seventh inning on a bases-loaded infield single by SS Chris Cornelius. The lineup then turned over to the top and Sharp stepped in and launched a 2-1 pitch over the wall in left field for a grand slam homer, putting Mizzou on top 10-6.

That capped a stretch during which Mizzou scored nine straight runs with big hit after big hit. The hit that got Mizzou back in the game was a two-run blast by RF Trey Harris in the fifth inning. Mizzou then scored two more in the sixth on a Connor Brumfield homer and a Harris two-out RBI single. That set the stage for Mizzou’s five-run seventh inning.

But the lead did not hold. Ball, who was terrific in his first 4.0 innings of work, ran into a wall in the eighth and loaded the bases, hitting two batters in that stretch. That brought in Cottam and Mizzou went to the bullpen to get Montes De Oca. Cottam then turned on a 1-0 pitch and deposited it over the wall in left center for the game-winning slam.

QUOTING MIZZOU

Head Coach Steve Bieser

“Just a real tough loss. We battled. One thing we have to be proud of is that we competed. We spotted them way too many early in that game and it was going to be tough to come back. Then we kind of get everything to swing our way and then I though we did some things late in the game that was not great game-winning baseball.”

TOP TIGERS

  • Junior 1B Brian Sharp extended his hitting streak to five games with a double to lead off the game. He scored a run in the first and then added the go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning.  He posted three hits in the loss.
  • Senior RF Trey Harris hit his team-leading ninth homer of the year, a two-run shot in the fifth inning. It was his second homer of the series.
  • Senior C Brett Bond picked up an RBI single in the first inning and posted a pair of first-inning RBIs during the series.
  • Freshman Chad McDaniel extended his hitting streak to six games with a fifth-inning single. He tallied six hits in the series and is hitting 21-for-54 (.389) over his last 19 games.
  • Junior CF Connor Brumfield hit his second career homer, a solo shot in the sixth inning, Sunday.

UP NEXT

Mizzou will continue its season Tuesday, stepping out of SEC play for a road game at Big Ten foe Iowa. First pitch for that game is at 3:05 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

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