The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team defeated Emporia State, 12-11, in 12 innings on Monday at the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan.

Hudson Bilodeau hit two home runs for the Bearcats including a walk off two-run shot in the bottom of the 12th.

Northwest improves to 6-6 overall and 3-0 in MIAA play with the weekend sweep. Emporia State falls to 6-7 overall and 0-3 in conference action.

Bilodeau went 3-for-5 with two home runs. He drove in five runs, scored twice and drew a walk.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored four in the second, one in the third, three in the sixth, one in the seventh, one in the eighth and two in the 12th.
– The Hornets scored three in the first, two in the second, one in the third, one in the fourth, one in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the 12th.
– The Bearcats had 12 runs on 19 hits with five errors. Emporia State scored 11 runs on 17 hits with two errors.
– Luke Hassman went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
– Aaron Barratt went 3-for-5 with a double. He scored two runs, stole a base and also reached on a walk.
– Alixon Herrera was 2-for-5 with a home run. He drove in a pair and scored one run. He also reached on a walk.
– Kevin Handzlik was 4-for-6 with a solo home run.
– Logan Rycraft was 1-for-6 with a run scored and added a stolen base.
– Mondesi Gutierrez was 1-for-5, scored two runs and stole a base.
– Nathan Russell came on in relief in the second. He pitched 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs. He walked one and struck out two.
– Jarret Cronin worked one inning of relief, allowing no hits. He walked two and struck out one.
– Jacob Wagner threw 4.1 innings of relief. He allowed just one run on five hits. He struck out five and walked one.
– Trevor Dudar picked up the win, retiring all three batters he faced.

Key Northwest Innings
– Northwest started the second with four straight hits. Hassman singled and Herrera hit his second home run in as many days over the left field fence to put the Bearcats on the board. Handzlik followed it up by taking the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for Northwest’s third run. Gutierrez continued the streak with a single up the middle. After an out, Barratt singled to center. Gutierrez went to third on a groundout. With two down, Bilodeau ripped a single into left, driving in Gutierrez to make it 5-4.

– In the third, Hassman and Herrera each hit back-to-back singles. Handzlk came up and laid down a bunt that landed perfectly between the pitcher’s mound and first base, allowing him to reach on an infield single to load the bases. A ground ball double play allowed Hassman to come in and score to keep it a one-run ballgame, 6-5.

– Leadoff batters again led to a big Northwest inning. Easley hit an infield single to second to start and Barratt drew a walk. Rycraft got a bunt single to third to load the bases. Bilodeau hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Easley for the Bearcats’ sixth run. After a groundout that moved up both runners, Hassman hit a single to left center, driving in Barratt and Rycraft to make it a 10-8 game.

– With one out in the seventh, Gutierrez was hit by a pitch. After a strike out, Barratt hit a single to put runners on the corners with two down. The Hornets changed pitchers with Rycraft at the plate. The Bearcats then executed a double steal as Barratt took of halfway to second, drawing a throw. On the throw, Gutierrez took off for home and beat the tag at the plate for Northwest’s ninth run.

– Bilodeau tied the game, 10-10, with a leadoff home run to left field in the bottom of the eighth.

– Down by one in the 12th, Barratt laced a double down the left field line to lead off. Rycraft moved him to third with sacrifice bunt. Bilodeau came up with his second home run of the game on the second pitch he saw, a blast over the left center field fence for the walk off.

Up Next
– The Bearcats will head to Fort Hays State on Friday, March 2, to start a three-game MIAA series with the Tigers. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 2 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

The Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team defeated Lincoln, 73-55, on Saturday afternoon at Jason Gym in Jefferson City, Mo.

With the win, the Bearcats claimed the outright MIAA regular season title.

The victory was also head coach Ben McCollum’s 200th win, all coming at Northwest.

The Bearcats finished the regular season with a 24-3 overall mark and a 16-3 MIAA record. The Blue Tigers fall to 15-13 overall and 9-10 in conference action.

Joey Witthus tied his season-high with 22 points, knocking down four three pointers. He had five rebounds, five assists and was 4-for-4 at the free throw line.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest shot 51.9 percent (28-of-54) from the field and were 13-for-25 (52 percent) from beyond the arc.

– Witthus’ four free throws were the only trips to the charity stripe for the Bearcats during the game.

– Northwest out rebounded the Blue Tigers, 28-26, and never trailed in the game.

– Xavier Kurth hit a career-high four three pointers, finishing with 14 points. He grabbed seven rebounds and added two assists.

– Justin Pitts scored 13 points, dishing out seven assists and grabbing two rebounds.

– Brett Dougherty had 10 points, three rebounds and an assist, going 5-for-10 from the field.

– Ryan Welty and Ryan Hawkins each had scored six points. Welty had five rebounds and Hawkins added four.

Key Northwest Sequence
– The Bearcats had maintained a double-digit lead for most of the game. Late in the second half with around five minutes to play, Northwest stretched the lead into the 20s for the first time. Kurth nailed a three pointer to make it 62-47 with 5:32 to play off a pass from Witthus. After a missed three by the Blue Tigers, Pitts hit a three from just in front of the Bearcat bench to make it 65-47. Another Lincoln missed three gave possession back to Northwest and this time it was Kurth again hitting a long range bomb off an assist from Pitts to make it a 21-point lead, 68-47.

Up Next
– Northwest will now face the winner of the No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, March 2, at 6 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —