College – Page 208 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Northwest Missouri State softball sweeps Lindenwood

Posted on April 17, 2017

The Northwest Missouri State University softball team beat Lindenwood in a doubleheader on Monday at Bearcat Field in Maryville, Mo.

Northwest moves to 26-16 and 15-7 in MIAA play. Lindenwood falls to 20-23 overall and 8-14 in conference action.

Northwest won the first game 5-0 behind a shutout performance by Taylor Blackford.

The Bearcats hit three home runs in the second game to run rule the Lions, 12-4.

Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 5, Lindenwood 0)
– Northwest scored one in the second, one in the second, two in the fifth and one in the sixth.

– The Bearcats had five runs on 10 hits with no errors. Lindenwood had four hits with three errors.

– Jaedra Moses went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a triple.

– Blackford threw a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits. She did not issue a walk.

– Kaitlyn Weis was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and double.

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

– Rebecca Maher went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.

– Jessica Rawie was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

– Chantel Adams went 1-for-4.

– Abigail Gilson was 1-for-3.

– Kiana Baderdeen went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Game One Key Innings
– In the second Baderdeen hit a two out single up the middle to keep the inning alive. Moses laced a triple over the right fielder’s head to give the Bearcats their first run.

– Gilson and Allen hit back to back singles in the fourth after a fielders choice. Moses hit a RBI single scoring Allen from second, making making it 2-0 Bearcats.

– Weis lead off the fifth with a double to center. Maher reached on an error to put runners on the corners. Adams reached on error by the shortstop allowing Weis to score from third. Rawie came up with an RBI single to left, making it 4-0 Northwest.

– With two down in the sixth Weis singled to left and came home on a Maher double to center.

Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 12, Lindenwood 4)
– The Bearcats scored one in the first,four in the third, one in the fifth and four in the sixth. Lindenwood had one in the first, two in the third and one the fifth.

– Northwest had 12 runs on 13 hits with no errors. The Lions had four runs on seven hits with one error.

-Weis went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. She pitched the final 2.0 innings allowing no runs on two hits. She had three strikeouts and no walks.

– Blythe went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

– Allen was 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and one run scored.

– Gilson was 1-for-3 with a grand slam, two runs scored and four RBIs.

– Maher went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, one run scored and four RBIs.

– Adams went 1-for-2 with a double and two runs scored.

– Rawie was 1-for-3 with one run scored.

– Moses went 1-for-3 with one triple and one run scored.

-Holly Posegate pitched 4.0 innings with five hits, four runs and four errors.

Game Two Key Innings
– Blythe started off the inning with a bunt to third, then followed it up with a stolen base. Maher hit a double to left field scoring Blythe, making it 1-0 Northwest.

– Gilson reached on an error by the shortstop to start the second. Allen took the second pitch she saw over the right center field fence for a two run homerun.

– Weis led off the third with a double to left center. After an out Adams drew a four pitch walk and Rawie singled to left to load the bases. Gilson cleared the bases with a grand slam of the center field fence making it 7-3 Northwest.

– In the fifth Adams lead off with a double to right center. After a pair of outs Allen hit an RBI single driving in Adams.

– Moses started the sixth with a triple to right. Blythe reached on a bunt single and stole second. Weis hit an RBI single to center. After a pitching change Maher ended the game with a homerun to left field.

Up Next
– Northwest will host Emporia State on Friday, April 21, at 3 and 5 p.m. followed by a Saturday double header against Washburn on Saturday.

— Northwest Athletics —

KU’s Josh Jackson declares for NBA Draft

Posted on April 17, 2017

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas freshman guard Josh Jackson has declared for the 2017 NBA Draft, he announced through his agent, B.J. Armstrong of the Wasserman Media Group Monday.

“After thoroughly consulting with my family, I have decided to enter the 2017 NBA Draft and pursue my dream of playing professional basketball,” Jackson said. “I am very thankful for all of the support I have received from my coaches and teammates at Kansas.”

“This obviously does not come as a surprise,” KU head coach Bill Self said. “When we recruited Josh we were so fortunate but also knew this would probably be a one-year stay. He has not only surpassed our expectations as a player but also as a leader and a teammate. We are all very happy for Josh and his family and are very proud of having coached one of the most talented kids that has ever come through here. We’ve had a lot really good ones here but Josh is as prepared for the next level as anyone that we have ever had.”

A 2017 Wooden All-America selection and the 2017 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Jackson joined KU teammate Frank Mason III on the All-Big 12 First Team. The seven-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honoree finished second on the KU team in scoring at 16.3 points per game. A two-time Big 12 Player of the Week, Jackson broke or tied four Kansas freshman records including double-doubles (12), rebounds (tied Danny Manning’s 258 set in 1985), field goals made (220) and field goals attempted (429).

Jackson’s 16.3 scoring average was sixth in the Big 12 and his 7.4 rebounds per game were fifth. The Detroit native led Kansas with 59 steals and 37 blocked shots his freshman campaign.

— KU Athletics —

Missouri’s Trey Harris earns National Player of the Week honor

Posted on April 17, 2017

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball junior OF Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.) was named Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Player of the Week, announced by the publication Monday morning (April 17). He is the first Mizzou player to earn the distinction since Tanner Houck (Collinsville, Ill.) took home the award on March 28 of last season. This is the first time Harris has earned the award as well.

Harris had a monster week for Mizzou, helping the Tigers to a 3-2 record in five games. Harris slugged five homers, including homering in four consecutive at-bats during the Kentucky series on Friday and Saturday. Harris homered three times in the Saturday game, making him the first Tiger with three homers in a game since Jacob Priday hit a school-record four in a 31-12 win over Texas on April 11, 2008. Harris now sits third in the SEC with 11 homers, the most by a Mizzou player since 2012. He drove in eight runs last week and scored seven more.

On the year, Harris is hitting .298 and leads the team in homers (11), walks (29), RBI (40) and slugging (.603) and he ranks second on the team in OBP (.436). Harris is now third in the SEC in slugging and 14th in on-base percentage while only two players have hit more home runs than his 11. He is also third in the SEC with 29 walks.

Harris and the Tigers close their six-game homestand tomorrow against Missouri State at 6:30 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Western/Northwest game moved to 1 PM Tuesday

Posted on April 17, 2017

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State baseball game on Tuesday has been moved up to a 1 p.m. start in Maryville, Missouri. The game was original scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch.

The scheduled game is game two of a three week midweek series with the Bearcats. Game three is scheduled for April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Spring Sports Complex. Missouri Western won game one, 10-5, of the series last Tuesday in St. Joseph.

— MWSU Athletics —

Mizzou loses series finale at home against No. 10 Kentucky

Posted on April 16, 2017

COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 10 Kentucky tallied four runs in the sixth inning to earn a 6-1 win in the rubber game of a three-game series with Mizzou Baseball on Easter Sunday (April 16) at Taylor Stadium. The game moved into the sixth inning at 2-1, but UK used a pair of infield singles, two hit batters and a walk to plate four runs in what turned out to be the decisive inning. Mizzou falls to 26-11 on the year and 7-8 in SEC play while Kentucky goes to 25-12 and 10-5 in SEC play, sitting atop the SEC East standings.

Junior RHP Bryce Montes De Oca (Lawrence, Kan.) took the loss, falling to 3-2 on the year, after going 5.0+ innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Kentucky’s Justin Lewis earned the win, improving to 5-2 on the year. He went 5.0 innings and allowed just three hits and one run (earned) with no walks and four strikeouts.

Junior C Brett Bond (St. Louis, Mo.) hit his seventh homer of the season and fourth of the series, a solo shot in the fourth inning. Junior OF Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.) also reached base twice to continue a red-hot weekend.

Montes De Oca allowed a leadoff single to Tristan Pompey to open the game, but struck out All-American 1B Evan White and got a 4-6-3 double play to escape the inning on just eight pitches. Mizzou got a baserunner in the first as Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.) was hit by a pitch, but he was stranded.

Montes De Oca needed just 10 pitches to retire the side in the second but ran into trouble in the third, issuing a leadoff walk. A passed ball moved the runner to third, but Alex Samples (Bridgeport, Texas) made a great play on a hard-hit ball at third for the second out to save a run. Montes De Oca then struck out the red hot Tristan Pompey to strand the runner.

White then tallied a leadoff double in the fourth inning and Montes De Oca then walked Zach Reks and hit Luke Becker to lead the bases with no outs. Riley Mahan then hit a sacrifice fly to give the Cats a 1-0 lead. A throwing error by C Brett Bond (St. Louis, Mo.) on a double steal led to another run in the fourth as Kentucky took a 2-0 lead.

Bond atoned for his error in the bottom of the fourth inning, launching his fourth homer of the series and seventh of the season, a two-out solo shot on a 3-1 pitch to cut the lead in half at 2-1. Mizzou got the tying run on second in the fifth inning, but Connor Brumfield (Columbia, Mo.) popped out to strand the tying run.

UK then got a walk and a pair of infield hits to score a run, extending the lead to 3-1. Mizzou reliever Cole Bartlett (Williamsburg, Ind.) then hit back-to-back batters, the latter with the bases loaded to score another run. Marcus Carson then hit a two-run single to extend the lead to 6-1.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Griffons get two blowout wins against Fort Hays State

Posted on April 13, 2017April 13, 2017

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western baseball team (20-17, 17-10) got two complete games from its starting pitchers and racked up 28 hits in a doubleheader sweep of Fort Hays State (9-28, 2-23) on Thursday.

Richie Peoples picked up his fifth complete game of the season in a 14-5 game one winner. Nate Hunter went eight complete in a game two, 12-2, run-rule victory.

NOTABLES
– Missouri Western has now won four games in a row and five of its last six

– The Griffons’ 14 runs in game one were their most since a Feb. 4, 14-4 win over Newman

– MWSU out-hit Fort Hays State 26-7 in the doubleheader

– Peoples and Hunter combined for a 3.71 ERA and held Fort Hays State’s offense to a .277 average

– The Griffons had 10 extra base hits on the day with eight doubles and two home runs

TOP PERFORMERS
– Hunter went all eight innings in game two, holding Fort Hays State to seven hits and two runs. He struck out three and walked one.

– Peoples went more than seven innings for the ninth straight start and had a season-high eight strikeouts

– David Glaude went 5-for-8 with two walks on the day, driving in four, and was a triple shy of the cycle in game two

– Dusty Stroup had four hits in game one and went 5-for-11 on the day with four runs scored and three RBIs

– Ryan Smith drove in three with a home run to left in game one and went 3-for-8 on the day

UP NEXT
The two teams will attempt to conclude the series Friday at 1 p.m. That game time is subject to change.

— Northwest Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State drops game one at Southwest Baptist

Posted on April 13, 2017

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Southwest Baptist, 7-4, on Thursday at Dodson Field in Bolivar, Mo.

Northwest is now 24-12 on the year and 13-10 in conference action. Southwest Baptist improves to 25-11 overall and 15-8 in MIAA play.

Landon Figg drove in two runs, going 2-for-3 with a double. He also scored a run and drew two walks.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored one in the first, two in the fifth and one in the ninth. Southwest Baptist had four in the first, two in the fifth and one in the sixth.

– Northwest Missouri had four runs on nine hits with two errors. SBU scored seven runs on 13 hits with one error

– Logan Rycraft was 2-for-4, crossing the plate twice.

– Garrett Fort scored once, going 2-for-5 with a double.

– Luke Hassman went 2-for-5 with an RBI.

– Ozzie Adams went 1-for-5 on Thursday.

– James Holler drew two walks.

– Jacob Wagner worked 1.2 innings of relief for Northwest. He allowed one run on one hit and two walks. He struck out one.

– Austin Battaglia pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings, allowing just one hit. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Key Northwest Innings
– In the first, Figg hit a double to left center on a 3-1 pitch. Hassman came up with an RBI single to center to give Northwest an early 1-0 lead.

– With one out in the fifth, Rycraft hit an infield single to short and went to third in a Fort double to right center. After a flyout, Figg singled to center, driving in Rycraft and Fort.

– Rycraft, Fort and Adams recorded back-to-back-to-back singles with two down in the ninth inning. With the bases loaded and Figg at the plate, a wild pitch allowed Rycraft to come in from third to cut the SBU lead to 7-4.

Up Next
– The second game of the three-game series will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday.

— Northwest Athletics —

Missouri hoops signs top 100 guard Blake Harris

Posted on April 13, 2017

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball has signed one of the nation’s top guards, Blake Harris (Chapel Hill, N.C.), to its 2017 recruiting class, head coach Cuonzo Martin announced Thursday. The 6-3, 185-pound guard has starred for Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina, averaging 25.0 points and 9.9 assists per game while leading his squad to a 27-6 record as a senior in 2016-17.

A gifted scorer and passer out of the basketball-crazed state of North Carolina, Harris is considered the third-best prospect in the Tar Heel State by ESPN.com, along with a 99th overall national rating. Harris was named First Team All-State by the Associated Press following his stellar senior campaign.

“We’re excited to welcome Blake Harris to the Mizzou Basketball Family,” Martin said. “His parents, Kellie and Bernardo Harris, did a great job raising a young man who understands the values of life, not just basketball. Blake’s attributes on the basketball court, working hard and never quitting, will be what make him an overall outstanding representative of our program.

“Throughout the recruiting process, Blake had his pick of schools he would likely thrive at as a student-athlete, but he chose the University of Missouri because of that unique feeling he discovered on our campus. There is a level of excitement building here in Columbia that will be fun for everyone to be a part of, especially Blake, who will be a great member of our team.”

Ranked as a four-star recruit by both ESPN.com and 247Sports, Harris is also rated inside Rivals.com’s final “Rivals150” 2017 prospect ranking. He is ranked as highly as the 20th-best guard in the entire 2017 class by ESPN.com and the 29th-best point guard by 247Sports.

“Mizzou’s coaching staff made me feel like I was already a part of their family,” Harris said. “They are men of God, which I appreciate. It isn’t all about basketball with Coach Martin and his staff. Making sure I am doing well in all aspects of my life seemed what mattered most to them, which I respected. On the court and for the Mizzou program, I plan to be a winner. I like to lead by example and get the best out of my teammates.

“Mizzou has the best fan base I’ve ever seen. My visit to campus was incredible. The whole place was putting off really great vibes and I’m just really excited to be a part of that.”

On the travel ball circuit, Harris played for Team CP3, which is the Nike EYBL squad sponsored by Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Soon to be a notable alum of Word of God, Harris will share that distinction with current NBA star John Wall, who played his junior and senior seasons at the academy.

Harris’ signing of a financial aid agreement with the University of Missouri includes him in a growing recruiting class with recent signee Michael Porter, Jr. (Columbia, Mo.) and incoming guard C.J. Roberts (North Richland Hills, Texas).

— Mizzou Athletics —

Missouri Western softball splits doubleheader with Central Missouri

Posted on April 12, 2017

ST. JOSEPH – It was a close loss and a dominant victory for the Missouri Western softball team (28-14, 8-8) Wednesday night against Central Missouri (20-23, 10-8).

Six runs over the final two innings of game one gave Central Missouri a 6-4 comeback win. A three-run fifth inning highlighted a 5-0 win for the Griffons in game two.

NOTABLES
– It was the fourth doubleheader split in the Griffons’ last seven MIAA series

– Missouri Western had a 2-0 lead after four innings of game one on solo home runs in the third and fourth innings, but Central Missouri scored four in the top of the sixth. The Griffons tied it in the bottom of the sixth, but surrendered two more runs in the seventh.

– The Griffons had 19 hits on the night, five extra base hits

– Two costly errors hurt the Griffons in game one, including two-out error in the top of the seventh that allowed the sixth run to score

– Missouri Western’s two pitchers combined for a 0.50 ERA on the night

– The Griffons got most of their production from the bottom half of the order as the 5-9 hitters combined to go 15-for-29

TOP PERFORMERS
– Rebekah Mueller went 4-for-5 at the plate with a home run and three RBIs

– Three of Shelby Uhl’s four hits on the night were extra base hits, two doubles and a home run. She also scored four runs and had two RBIs

– Kenzie Hilzer (14-5) held UCM to three hits in her third complete game shutout of the season. She also struck out four and limited the Jennies to a .136 average

– Paige Shifflett went 3-for-7 at the plate with three RBIs

UP NEXT
Missouri Western goes back on the road for series at Fort Hays State (11-35, 4-16) on Friday and Nebraska-Kearney (7-41, 4-18) on Saturday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Michael Porter, Jr. officially signs with Mizzou

Posted on April 12, 2017April 12, 2017

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball has signed the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit, Michael Porter, Jr. (Columbia, Mo.) to its 2017 recruiting class, head coach Cuonzo Martin announced on Wednesday. Porter returns home to Columbia, Missouri, as the Tigers’ first McDonald’s All-America signee since 2000. The 6-10, 215-pound forward played his senior season for Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, Washington, in 2016-17, averaging an outstanding 36.2 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.

The signing of Porter brings the Show-Me State back one of its own to cheer for as the talented future Tiger starred for Father Tolton Catholic in Columbia from 2013-16, leading the Trailblazers to the 2016 Missouri Class 3 State Championship inside Mizzou Arena.

“It goes without saying, but Michael is a special player and a special person,” Martin said. “Michael comes to the Mizzou Family from a great family of his own, and our basketball program is thrilled to have a student-athlete with his character, drive and passion. Lisa and Michael Porter, Sr., raised Michael well. He is continually motivated to give and is always striving to be a great teammate.

“Most of all, welcome home to Michael. Mizzou is a special place and Columbia is a community that already knows him well. I’m looking forward to Michael representing Mizzou well, on and off the court and in the classroom, and I’m sure he looks forward to it, as well.”

As a junior in 2015-16, Porter averaged 28.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game and helped Tolton to a 26-3 record and Columbia’s first high school state basketball championship in 54 years.

As a senior in 2016-17, the Porter-powered Nathan Hale squad posted a perfect 29-0 record en route to the Washington Class 3A State Championship. The state title was the first-ever for the Seattle school.

Honored as the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game in Chicago on March 29, Porter completed a significant trifecta of awards by also garnering the Naismith and Gatorade Boys national player of the year awards. He is just the fifth basketball player ever to claim all three honors and first since 2004, joining the prolific listing of Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Chris Webber (1991) and Alonzo Mourning (1988).

Porter is Mizzou’s sixth all-time McDonald’s All-American signee; the first since Travon Bryant (2000). Porter’s name resides on a list that also includes: Albert White (1995), Anthony Peeler (1988), Derrick Chievous (1984) and Steve Stipanovich (1979).

Porter is considered the nation’s top recruit by ESPN.com and Rivals, as well as a five-star prospect by the aforementioned outlets and Scout.com and 247Sports. Additionally selected as USA Today’s All-USA Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Porter was named to All-America teams by USA Today, Associated Press, the Naismith Trophy and MaxPreps.

Beyond mere accolades, Porter has showcased his talent on national and international levels, playing for the Team USA U-18 squad on multiple occasions while earning a spot in the Jordan Brand Classic (April 14).

The son of Lisa and Michael Porter, Sr., Michael Porter, Jr. has seven siblings: Bri, Cierra, Jontay, Coban, Jevan, Izaak and Jayda. Older sisters Bri and Cierra play for Mizzou Women’s Basketball, coached by their aunt, Robin Pingeton. His father, Michael Porter, Sr., serves as an assistant coach on Martin’s staff. His mother, Lisa, played college basketball at Iowa, while his father played collegiately at New Orleans.

Porter’s signing of a financial aid agreement with the University of Missouri includes him in a growing recruiting class with incoming guard C.J. Roberts (North Richland Hills, Texas).

— Mizzou Athletics —