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Category: College

Western falls short of MIAA championship game with loss to Fort Hays

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Despite getting 12 hits and stranding nine batters the Missouri Western baseball team could only manage two runs falling 3-2 in an elimination game against Fort Hays State. Western had five players with two or more hits as fall to 34-17 on the season.

Just like the first two games of the tournament the Griffons played from behind and made too many errors to come from behind.
The Tigers scored one run in the second inning on three hits and two Griffon errors. JC Ochoa scored on a throwing error by Michael Schulze trying to turn an inning ending double play for Western. The Tigers left the bases loaded in the inning.

In the top of the third Western responded with three hits which started with a Tony Loeffler single to right center. Loeffler later scored on a Schulze single up the middle. Western stranded runners and second and third in the inning.

Once again the Tigers went up in the bottom of the third with two outs as Brandon Hoefler doubled and scored on a Luke Kordsmeier single to the left side.

Western responded in the top of the fourth when Jimmy Smelcer singled to short stop and advanced to second on a throwing error by Sheldon Howell. David Chew hit a single to the left field scoring Smelcer which tied the score at two after four.

The Tigers got the game winning run in the bottom of the sixth mounting another two out rally. Nash Smith doubled down the left field line and then scoring on a Ryan Busboom single.

Western put runners on base in the seventh and ninth but could not get the big hit. Ethan Ward went eight innings giving up 10 hits and three earned runs while striking out a career best nine. Ward falls to 6-3 with the loss. Schulze went 3-for-5 with an RBI while Jake Graham, Nate Ramler, Smelcer and Loeffler all had two hits.

The Tigers improve to 29-23 on the season and advance to play the 5th ranked Central Missouri Mules in the MIAA Championship game. They will have to beat them twice on Sunday. Smith, Busboom, Hoefler and Kordsmeier all had two hits in the contest. Jesse Hart went 5.2 innings giving up 10 hits and one earned run. Brett Macari picked up his eighth save going one inning.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffons open MIAA Tournament with 12-8 win over Washburn

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Michael Schulze, Nate Ramler, and Grant Fink each blasted home runs for No. 2 seed Missouri Western as the Griffons defeated No. 4 seed Washburn, 12-8, Friday afternoon in a wild game four of the MIAA Centennial Baseball Championship at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Missouri Western (34-15) moves on to face top-seeded Central Missouri in the winners’ bracket game Saturday at 11 a.m.  The game will air live on ESPN 1550 AM.

Washburn got things started quickly in the first inning, as leadoff hitter John Calhoun singled to right center, advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher, and scored from second on a fielding error by the third baseman. Tyler Bean followed with a two-run, inside-the-park home run to give the Ichabods a 3-0 lead on a play where Missouri Western outfielders Bubba Dotson and Shawn Egge collided.

Missouri Western responded in the bottom of the first with a three spot of its own. Schulze led off with a towering home run over the right field wall that landed at the top of the grass berm to make the score 3-1 in favor of Washburn. Two batters later, Spencer Shockley doubled to right center to score Jake Graham. Shockley would later score on an RBI ground ball by Grant Fink to tie the score at 3-3 after one.

Missouri Western took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the third inning when Nate Ramler laced a three-run shot over the left field wall just inside the foul pole to give the Griffons a 6-3 advantage. After a Jimmy Smelcer walk and a David Chew single, Smelcer scored on a throw to second as Chew stole the base. Andre Pieper followed with an RBI single to right center, scoring Chew and giving MWSU an 8-3 lead after three.

In the bottom of the fourth, Fink powered a two-run home run deep over the center field wall to extend the Missouri Western lead to 10-3.

Washburn made it interesting in the top of the sixth, recording four runs on five hits. With runners on first and second, Blaine Matthews singled to left field to score Brad Alberts. Blake Hageman followed with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Bean. The next batter, Richard Swan, continued the hit parade with an RBI single of his own to left field, bringing Matthews home. Calhoun finished up the sixth inning scoring with an RBI single to right center, scoring Hageman to bring the Ichabods to within three at 10-7.

After holding Missouri Western scoreless in the bottom half of the sixth inning, Washburn cut the lead to two when Bean connected on his second home run of the game, a solo shot over the right field wall to make the score 10-8 in the top of the seventh.

Missouri Western extended the lead back to four in the bottom of the seventh inning when Shockley hit a two-RBI single to left field that scored Schulze and Tony Loeffler and gave the Griffons the final 12-8 cushion.

Shockley finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored for Missouri Western. Ramler was 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored, while Fink was 2-for-5 with three RBIs as well and a run scored for the Griffons. Brandon Simmons (12-2) set a MWSU school record with his 12th win of the season. The junior from Kansas City, Kan., went 7.1 innings, giving up eight runs (five earned) on 11 hits.

Bean led the way for Washburn, going 3-for-4 with the two home runs, three RBIs and three runs scored. Calhoun was 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for the Ichabods.

Western will take on the University of Central Missouri tomorrow morning at 11:00 am at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Mo.

— MIAA Press Release —

Missouri adds Ryan Miller to men’s basketball coaching staff

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University of Missouri Head Men’s Basketball Coach Frank Haith announced today that he has added Ryan Miller to his staff as assistant coach.  Miller joins the Mizzou coaching staff after serving the last five years as an assistant coach at New Mexico, where the Lobos went 126-46 overall – marking the school’s most successful five-year span in history.

With the Lobos, Miller handled all aspects of coaching, and one of his main responsibilities was advance scouting and game preparation. Miller’s in-depth scouting reports and use of technology enhanced UNM’s reputation as one of the most prepared teams in the nation.  Miller’s scouting and pre-game prep helped the Lobos to 38 road wins over the last five years, including a school-record 14 wins away from home in 2011-12.

Along with in-game coaching and scouting, Miller worked with UNM’s guards, and is also considered one of the top recruiters in the nation. Miller’s contacts range throughout the United States, to foreign countries such as Australia, where he once played.

Miller was a basketball operations assistant at Memphis under head coach John Calipari from 2004-06. During his three years at Memphis, the Tigers compiled a 78-28 (.736) record and made three postseason tournament appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament.

“We’re very fortunate to have someone of Ryan’s caliber join our program,” said Haith.  “I think he’s the total package, he’s an outstanding, proven recruiter, and an outstanding coach who is a great teacher and skill development guy. He’s certainly got an impressive pedigree, just look at what he’s been part of at New Mexico under Coach (Steve) Alford, and Coach (John) Calipari at Kentucky.  He’s played professionally, so he has that experience to draw on, and he has a lot of important contacts in this part of the country from a recruiting perspective.  Ryan will be a great addition to our staff,” he said.

“I’m excited to have this kind of opportunity to work for a university like Missouri,” said Miller. “Coach Haith is obviously a great coach, and I’m grateful to him, and to Mike Alden and his administration for asking me to be a part of it.  I’m looking forward to continuing to help build Mizzou’s program on and off the court, and be part of the transition into the SEC,” he said.

In December of 2002, Miller was named head coach of the Dakota Lightning Boltz of the Midwest Professional Basketball League. In his only season as head coach, Miller led the Boltz to a 14-5 record and a league title.  He spent one year as an assistant coach at Pepperdine before joining the New Mexico staff prior to the 2007-08 season.

A native of Mitchell, S.D., Miller attended Northern State University, in Aberdeen, S.D., where he was a two-time Northern Sun all-conference and all-academic selection. He finished his career eighth on Northern State’s all-time scoring list after guiding his teams to four straight conference championships and the 1998 regional title. Miller was a Division II All-American following the 1997-1998 season. He graduated in 2000 with a degree in physical education.

Following his collegiate playing career in 1999, Miller was drafted into the CBA. His professional career included playing for the Fargo-Moorhead Beez of the International Basketball Association (IBA) in 1999. He also played for the Dakota Gold of the IBA where he served as a player/assistant coach during the 2000-01 season.

Miller also played two summers in Melbourne, Australia (2000 and 2001) where helped his team to a league championship and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Miller attended Mitchell Senior High in Mitchell, S.D., where he was a two-time all-state performer, leading Mitchell to the 1994 state championship. His brother, Mike, currently plays for the Miami Heat in the NBA.

— MU Sports Information —

Western football fills 2012 schedule with William Jewell

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The 2012 schedule is once again complete for the Griffon Football team as Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin announced Thursday that the Griffons will host William Jewell in Spratt Stadium on Saturday, September 8th at 6 PM.

The open date became available when Central State of Ohio pulled out of the game contract.

“It was highly important to us and especially for our fan base to schedule a sixth home game against a NCAA Division II opponent,” said Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin.  “It’s a plus that the opponent is a recognizable name from the local area and we look forward to hosting William Jewell this fall.”

The Cardinals finished 4-6 a year ago and will be entering their second season as a NCAA Division II member and competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

— MWSU Sports Information —

MWSU’s Bishop earns more honors from NFCA

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Missouri Western sophomore pitcher Jackie Bishop has been named to the 2nd Team all-South Central Region which was announced on Thursday afternoon by the NFCA. Bishop finished her season with a 24-5 overall record with a 1.42 ERA. The Griffons finished the season 42-13 and have won 40 or more games five times which includes the last two.

This year’s teams are comprised of 204 student-athletes from 89 institutions spread out over the eight NFCA regions, with a first and second team for each region.

NFCA member coaches in each of the eight regions selected this year’s All-Region teams and all honorees are now eligible to be selected to one of three All-American teams.

The 2012 NFCA Division II All-American teams will be announced on NFCA.org on the evening of Wednesday, May 16.

Bishop continues to add to her list of awards garnering NFCA 2nd Team all-South Central Region honors. She earned Daktronics NCAA Division II South Central Region Pitcher of the Year and First Team honors on Wednesday, May 9. She was named the MIAA Pitcher of the Year as well as First Team all-MIAA. Last season Bishop was the MIAA Freshman of the Year and first team selection.

Bishop is the first Griffon pitcher to earn South Central Region Pitcher of the Year as well as MIAA Pitcher of the Year. Bishop finsished the season leading the MIAA with a 24-5 overall record and 1.42 ERA. She made 29 apperances with 26 starts. She pitched 26 complete games throwing eight shutouts. She pitched 183 innings with 243 strikeouts which is a new MWSU single season record. She held her opponents to a .180 batting average and gave up just 37earned runs. She was named MIAA Pitcher of the Week four times. She had a career high 16 strikeouts against Pittsburg State on April 6. She has struckout ten or more batters ten times which includes her first seven.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Six Griffons earn All-MIAA baseball honors

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The Missouri Western State University baseball team landed six players on the All-MIAA team which was announced by the conference Thursday. Brandon Simmons and Spencer Shockley earned first team All-MIAA honors while Nik Juardo, Grant Fink and Nate Ramler earned second team All-MIAA honors. Shortstop Michael Schulze was the only Griffon named to the Honorable Mention squad.

Brandon Simmons had an outstanding season tying the MWSU single season record for victories with 11. He also leads the MIAA and the nation in victories. He made 13 aperances with 12 starts, pitching 10 complete games with two shutouts. He has thrown 85.1 innings giving up just 70 hits while striking out 56. He leads the Griffons with a 1.58 ERA giving up just 15 earned runs. He has won his last nine starts and has lost just one game he has stared all season. He gave up two or less runs in 12 of his 13 outings. He was named MIAA Pitcher of the Week on Monday, May 7. The marks the first time he has been named to the first team. He was honorable mention his first two seasons.

Spencer Shockley has had an outstanding season for the Griffons leading the way in batting average (.405), hits (64), total bases (99), slugging percentage (.627), on base percentage (.447) and putouts (358). He has struckout just eight times whlie walking 14 times. He has a .992 fielding percentage making just three errors with 11 assists. He has a hit in 19 of his last 20 games which includes eight straight. In his last eight games he has 18 hits which includes six multiple hit games. He has started 47 games and has scored 37 runs and knocked in 32. This is the first time he has been named to the first team.

Nik Jurado has been named to the second team for the first time in his career. Jurado had an outstanding regular season going 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA. He has made 12 starts with five complete games and one shutout. He has thrown 80.1 innings giving up just 16 earned runs whlie striking out 68 and walking just 11. He has giving up just 76 hits holding his opponents to a .255 batting average.

Grant Fink earned second team honors starting 47 games at third base for Western. He is fourth on the squad in hitting with a .313 batting average. He has scored 31 runs with 50 hits. Twenty three of his 50 hits have been for extra bases. He has 14 doubles, two triples and seven home runs. He has 29 RBI with 89 total bases. Fink was named MIAA Hitter of the Week back on April 17, 2012 for his performance against Pittsburg State.

Nate Ramler eanred second team honors at the designated player position. Ramler was third on the team with a .315 batting average in 47 games played. He had 51 hits with 22 of them going for extra bases. He led the Griffons with nine home runs. He had 12 doubles and one triple. Ramler scored 25 runs and knocked in a team hit 42.

Michael Schulze was named to the honorable mention squad at the shortstop postion for the Griffons. Schulze has played extreamly well as of late lifting his batting average to .356. He has started all 48 games leading the team with 47 runs scored, 14 doubles and five triples. He is second on the team with 63 runs scored and 96 total bases. He also leads the team with 13 stolen bases. He has a .963 fielding percentage making just seven errors. He had 56 putouts and 125 assists. He was named MIAA Hitter of the Week this past week for his performance against Fort Hays State.

The Griffons will face Missouri Southern, Washburn or Emporia State on Friday, May 11 at 2:30 pm in the MIAA Tournament from CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Mo.

2012 ALL-MIAA BASEBALL TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bret Schwartz, Sr., SS, Central Missouri

PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Lee Stoppelman, Sr., Central Missouri

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Shawn Talkington, P, Emporia State

COACH OF THE YEAR
Tommy Myers, Central Missouri

FIRST TEAM
SP: Lee Stoppelman, Sr., Central Missouri
SP: Brandon Simmons, Jr., Missouri Western
SP: Cody Griebling, Sr., Missouri Southern
RP: Brett Macari, Sr., Fort Hays State
C: Drew Miller, So., Southwest Baptist
1B: Spencer Shockley, Jr., Missouri Western
2B: Eric Dawson, Jr., Emporia State
SS: Bret Schwartz, Sr., Central Missouri** [r1]
3B: John Calhoun, Sr., Washburn**
OF: Ryan Busboom, Jr., Fort Hays State**
OF: Gabe Thibodeau, Sr., Central Missouri
OF: Ryan Abernathy, So., Northwest Missouri
DH: Joe Vaskas, Sr., Emporia State [r1]
UT: Chris Pfau, Sr., Lincoln
**Unanimous Selection
[r1] – Repeat first team selection from last season

SECOND TEAM
SP: Brett Ash, Jr., Washburn
SP: Nik Jurado, Sr., Missouri Western
SP: Kurtis Schuyler, So., Central Missouri
RP: Travis Unthank, Sr., Central Missouri
C: Chase Graskewicz, Jr., Central Missouri
1B: Brad Alberts, Jr., Washburn
2B: Luke Acosta, Sr., Missouri Southern
SS: Ashton McCoy, Jr., Emporia State
3B: Grant Fink, Jr., Missouri Western
OF: Nash Smith, Sr., Fort Hays State
OF: Tyler Christophel, Sr., Southwest Baptist
OF: Dorian Williams, Sr., Emporia State
DH: Nate Ramler, Jr., Missouri Western
UT: Tyler Bean, Sr., Washburn

HONORABLE MENTION
Central Missouri: Dane Krone, Jr., RP; John Oropeza, Jr., 1B; Jon Cotter, Jr., 2B; Jordan Coons, Sr., 3B; Albert Selanders, Jr., OF; Ben Cox, So., DH.

Emporia State: Derek Brooks, Sr., SP; Brandon Faulkner, Sr., SP; Joe Kornbrust, Sr., OF.

Fort Hays State: Shawn Lewick, Sr., SP; Mace Krol, Sr., DH.

Missouri Southern: David Reese, So., SP; Sam Ryan, Jr., C; Michael McCoy, Jr., OF; Jesse Kinzey, Sr., UT; Cullen Baxter,Sr., UT.

Missouri Western: Michael Schulze, So., SS.

Northwest Missouri: Steven Garber, Fr., 1B; Cameron Bedard, Jr., 2B; Eric Swain, Jr., SS; Eric McGlauflin, So., UT.

Pittsburg State: Matt Stalcup, Jr., SP; Chase Barnes, Sr., OF.

Southwest Baptist: Jacob Sullinger, Jr., RP.

Truman: Devon Myers, Sr., C.

Washburn: Kerry Schachenmeyer, Sr., SP; Richard Swan, Jr., C; Marcus Peavler, Sr., OF.

— MWSU Sports Information —

NWMSU’s Abernathy named to All-MIAA baseball first team

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Sophomore Ryan Abernathy earned a spot on the All-MIAA First-Team to highlight five Northwest Missouri State players earning all-conference accolades released by the conference office Thursday.

Abernathy becomes the first Bearcat to earn a spot on the first-team since 2007, when Ryley Westman and John White earned respective honors. The Chesterfield, Mo., native led the league in hits with 71 as he also led Northwest in runs (49), doubles (17) and stolen bases (11). His hits rank tied for fifth on the single season list at Northwest as does his 17 doubles.

Earning Honorable Mention All-MIAA nods were juniors Eric Swain and Cameron Bedard along with sophomore Eric McGlauflin and freshman Steven Garber. Swain led the Bearcats and finished second in the league with 10 homeruns while also leading the team with 41 RBIs.

McGlauflin finished in the top 10 in the league in batting average (.387) and on base percentage (.474) while Bedard finished at a .339 clip with a .448 on base percentage. Garber started in 39 games for Northwest at first base hitting .308 with 35 RBIs and was third on the team with a .525 slugging percentage in his first season.

2012 MIAA Champion Central Missouri nearly swept the end of year awards as Bret Schwartz was named Player of the Year and teammate Lee Stoppelman earned Pitcher of the Year accolades. The Mules head coach, Tommy Myers, earned his third Coach of the Year honors while Shawn Talkington of Emporia State was named Freshman of the Year.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Missouri State dismisses starting QB Wooden

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Missouri State University has dismissed starting quarterback Trevor Wooden from its football program due to violations of team rules, head coach Terry Allen announced Thursday (May 10).

Wooden, from High Springs, Fla., was expected to be the Bears’ starter again this fall after leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference in total offense last season.

“This is obviously a very difficult situation, and it’s never easy to make a call like this,” said Allen. “But based on the circumstances, I feel it is in the best interest of our program to make a clean break and start moving forward.”

Director of Athletics Kyle Moats said he supports Allen’s decision and noted the behavioral expectations of every MSU student-athlete are clearly defined.

“We expect Missouri State student-athletes to abide by the rules set forth by the University, the athletic department and their respective teams,” Moats said. “When they fail to meet those obligations and responsibilities, there are consequences.

“I know there were a lot of people counting on Trevor to be a leader on this team and be the face of our program this fall. However, our coaches have to enforce the rules consistently regardless of whether a player is a starter or a role player. That’s the right thing to do, and I support our coaches when they have to make tough calls like this.”

On Aug. 25, 2011, Allen suspended Wooden for one game at the onset of his sophomore season for a separate violation of team rules. Wooden served the suspension during the 2011 season opener at Arkansas but went on to start the remaining 10 games.

He compiled a conference-best 2,420 yards of total offense in his only season as MSU starting quarterback. He also ranked 14th nationally among all Division I FCS signal callers in pass efficiency and earned All-MVFC honorable mention honors. As a redshirt freshman wide receiver in 2010, Wooden played in 11 games, started 10 contests and collected 21 receptions for 284 yards.

He was one of 24 returning players on the 2012 MSU roster with starting experience from last season.

The Bears will open fall camp on Aug. 2 with at least two scholarship quarterbacks in sophomore Kierra Harris (Texarkana, Ark.) and newcomer Brodie Lambert (Fr., Arlington, Texas).

— MSU Sports Information —

KSU’s Brown named to Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list

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Kansas State senior linebacker Arthur Brown is one of 42 defensive players nationally and seven from the Big 12 Conference to be named to the 2012 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List.

In his first season in a Wildcat uniform, Brown was named the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after collecting a team-high 101 tackles, 9.5 for losses, 2.0 sacks and one interception. Brown was named First Team All-Big 12, a Bednarik Award Semifinalist and earned All-America honors from numerous outlets following his breakout season in 2011.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy was established by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation to honor college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.

The award is unique because it represents the first trophy to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college football award based on the West Coast.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy was named in honor of Ronnie Lott – a two time All -American for USC and College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Ronnie Lott went on to win four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers, ten trips to the Pro Bowl and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Always known as a fierce competitor, he was a leader who had IMPACT both on and off the field.

The Wildcats returns eight starters on offense, six on defense and both kickers from its 10-3 squad that advanced to the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic in 2011. The Wildcats will be led by All-America candidates Collin Klein (QB) and Brown (LB), while 2011 Walter Camp All-Americans Nigel Malone (DB) and Tyler Lockett (KR/WR) also return.

K-State opens the 2012 season September 1 with a home game against Missouri State.

— KSU Sports Information —

Griffon baseball enters regional rankings for the first time

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For the first time this season the Missouri Western baseball team has cracked the top eight in the South Central Regional rankings which was released Wednesday afternoon. The Griffons are 33-15 overall and 29-13 in regional play entering this weeks MIAA Tournament where they will be the #2 seed. Western will play at 2:30 pm on Friday, May 11 against Missouri Southern, Washburn or Emporia State at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.

The top six teams in the region make the national tournament which will start next week. The winner of the MIAA Tournament will earn an automatic bid into the national tournament.

The Griffons have been to a regional one time in school history which was in 2006.

SOUTH CENTRAL
1     Central Missouri     41-7     41-7
2     St. Mary’s (Texas)     41-8     36-8
3     Angelo State     38-14     38-13
4     Southern Arkansas     36-15     34-14
5     Texas A&M-Kingsville     31-16     24-14
6     St. Edward’s     35-12     30-11
7     Southeastern Oklahoma     34-17     30-15
8     Missouri Western State     33-15     29-13

— MWSU Sports Information —

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