We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Category: Sports

Tigers win slugfest at No. 13 Kentucky

Posted on

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mizzou Baseball earned a hard-fought 14-11 win in game two of its series at No. 13 Kentucky Saturday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Field. Mizzou ran out to a 9-2 lead before a six-run sixth inning from the Wildcats tightened things up. The Tigers then got five runs in the eighth inning, three on Trey Harris’ team-leading eighth homer, to put the game away. The slugfest came less than 24 hours removed from a Friday night pitcher’s duel in game one.

Mizzou evens the series with the Wildcats and improves to 29-14 and 9-11 in SEC play. Kentucky falls to 28-15 and 9-11 in SEC play, setting up a huge Sunday rubber game at noon (CT) tomorrow on SEC Network+. Junior LHP Michael Plassmeyer earned the win, improving to 5-2 on the year. He allowed six runs on nine hits while striking out seven. RS junior Bryce Montes De Oca earned his first career save.

Mizzou scored its most runs in an SEC game this year and most in a league game during the Steve Bieser era. It was the most runs scored by Mizzou in an SEC game since May 2, 2015, when the Tigers hung 18 on Ole Miss. The 14 runs match the most ever by a Mizzou team in a road SEC contest. Mizzou also scored 14 at Tennessee on March 23, 2013, its first season in the league.

TURNING POINT

Saturday’s game was wild as Mizzou opened a 9-2 lead before Kentucky took advantage of six hits, two walks and a big error to plate six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the lead to 9-8. Kentucky could have had more in the inning, but Mizzou reliever Andy Toelken pitched out of the jam to preserve the lead.

Clinging to a one-run lead with momentum clearly swinging towards the nationally-ranked Wildcats, senior 3B Alex Samples led off the eighth inning with a double, kick-starting a five-run frame that put the game out of reach. Junior SS Paul Gomez delivered a big two-run single with one out and senior Trey Harris delivered the big blow, a three-run homer off the scoreboard in left center, his eighth of the year.

Bryce Montes De Oca locked things down from there, allowing just one hit and one walk over the final 1.1 innings to complete the win. Mizzou hit a season-high four homers in the win, its most since April 15, 2017, also against Kentucky.

QUOTING MIZZOU

Head Coach Steve Bieser

“Wild is a good way to explain it. I thought the resiliency of our offense to keep coming back and keep coming back, they made it really hard on Kentucky’s pitchers. They did a good job of sticking to their approach. That’s something we challenged them to do after last night and I think they took that to heart. We have to come back tomorrow and have the same approach. We have a big opportunitytomorrow to go out and win a series.”

TOP TIGERS

  • Junior 1B Brian Sharp hit his fourth homer of the year in the third inning, his first since March 4 against Maryland-Baltimore County. He extended his hitting streak to four games with that homer, a solo shot to right. Sharp tallied his 11th multi-hit game of the season and second in the series Saturday.
  • Freshman CF Cade Bormet extended his hitting streak to seven games with an RBI single in the second inning.
  • Senior 3B Alex Samples posted an RBI in the second inning.
  • Freshman DH Chad McDaniel tallied his seventh multi-hit game of the season and now has six of those in his last 18 games. He is hitting 19-for-51 (.373) over his last 18 games. He had a career-high four hits Saturday.
  • Senior 2B Matt Berler hit his first homer of the season, a three-run shot, in the in fourth inning. It was his first homer since May 23, 2017, in the SEC Tournament opener vs. Texas A&M.
  • Junior OF Zach Hanna hit his fourth homer of the season.
  • Junior SS Paul Gomez tallied the biggest hit of his career with a two-run single in the top of the eighth inning to extend Mizzou’s advantage to 11-8.
  • Senior OF Trey Harris blasted his team-leading eighth homer of the season and drove in three runs while scoring two more.

NOTES

  • With the win, Mizzou cuts Kentucky’s advantage in the all-time series to 8-7.
  • Mizzou improves to 9-6 on Saturdays this season.
  • Mizzou is now 17-13 in three-game series this season.
  • Mizzou is now 9-8 against ranked teams this season with six of the wins coming on the road.
  • Mizzou is now 7-8 in day games this season.
  • Mizzou hit a season-high four homers Saturday. Mizzou had just three homers in its previous nine games combined and just five in 19 SEC games before Saturday. The four homers for Mizzou are its most since April 15, 2017, also against Kentucky.
  • Mizzou is now 4-0 when hitting multiple homers this season.
  • Mizzou scored more than 10 runs for the eighth time this season and first time since April 4 against SIU-Edwardsville. It was the second time in 20 SEC games that Mizzou hung 10 or more runs and the first time since May 17 at LSU.
  • Mizzou’s 14 runs are its most in an SEC game since May 2, 2015, when it scored 18 against Ole Miss. It matches the most ever for Mizzou scored in an SEC road game. Mizzou had 14 against Tennessee in Knoxville on May 23, 2013.

UP NEXT

Mizzou and Kentucky will close their series Sunday at noon.

— MWSU Athletics —

Cardinals drop second straight at Pittsburgh

Posted on

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Francisco Cervelli homered in the second inning and delivered a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the sixth, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 on Saturday night.

The Pirates scored twice in the sixth, twice in the seventh and once in the eighth while erasing a 2-1 deficit. They also rallied for a 6-5 victory over the Cardinals on Friday night.

St. Louis right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-1) started the sixth inning with back-to-back walks before being lifted for Dominic Leone. Josh Bell hit an RBI single and Cervelli’s fly ball to center scored Starling Marte to give Pittsburgh its first lead of the game.

The Pirates added on against the Cardinals’ bullpen in the seventh. Pinch-hitter David Freese had a sacrifice fly and Corey Dickerson singled in Sean Rodriguez.

Colin Moran scored on Jose Martinez’s error on a Gregory Polanco grounder in the eighth.

Cervelli got Pittsburgh on the board with his fourth homer in the second inning. He hit five all of last year.

Pirates starter Trevor Williams (4-1) pitched six innings of two-run ball. Michael Feliz, George Kontos and Edgar Santana combined for three scoreless innings in relief.

Flaherty was charged with three runs and four hits. The rookie right-hander struck out two and walked four.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Joe Musgrove (shoulder strain) will make his first rehab start with Class A Bradenton on Tuesday. He’s expected to throw three innings. Musgrove has been on the disabled list since March 30. . 2B Josh Harrison (hand fracture) took infield practice with a modified glove. He’s still expected to be about a month away from returning.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Luke Weaver (2-1, 4.85 ERA) will start the series finale Sunday. Weaver has given up 10 runs over his last two starts after allowing four total in his first three outings of the season.

Pirates: RHP Nick Kingham is expected to be recalled from the minors for his major league debut. Kingham was 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA in four starts with Triple-A Indianapolis.

—

Griffons run-rule Fort Hays State in series opener 12-1

Posted on
HAYS, Kan. – Griffon Baseball (24-21, 16-15) started off its final road MIAA series of the season with a bang, defeating Fort Hays State (13-32, 5-25) 12-2 in a run-rule shortened game.

The Griffons scored in each of the first five innings and didn’t allow a run until the fourth. Missouri Western totaled six extra base hits in the game including three home runs, two by Brooks Day, and Nate Hunter struck out 10 batters. The Griffons had 12 hits in the game with five players collecting two hits.

NOTABLES

  • Day went 2-for-3 with the two home runs, driving in five and scoring three runs. He also walked once and extended his hitting streak to 13 games. He’s had at least two hits in eight of those 13 games.
  • Dusty Stroup also went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. He had the other home run for the Griffons.
  • Casey Danley went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI
  • Fahd Shakeel was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI
  • Hunter (8-2) struck out a season high 10 batters in seven innings. He allowed just the one run on seven hits

UP NEXT
Game two of the three-game series is set for a 5 p.m. first pitch on Saturday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Bearcats outscore Southwest Baptist 19-15 to win first game of series

Posted on

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team defeated Southwest Baptist Friday in Maryville 19-15.

The Bearcats are now 27-18 overall and 22-9 in conference while SBU falls to 16-29 overall and 10-21 in conference play.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored tow runs in the first, eight in the fourth, two in the fifth, three in the sixth and seventh innings and one in the eighth inning. SBU scored two in the second and third innings, four in the fifth, three in the seventh and four in the ninth inning.
– The Bearcats had 19 runs on 17 hits with four errors. Southwest Baptist had 15 runs on 17 hits and one error.
– Mondesi Gutierrez finished 4-for-5 with four RBIs, three runs scored, two doubles and one homerun.
– Luke Hassman went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, one RBI, a double and a triple.
– Hudson Bilodeau was 3-for-6 with two RBIs, one run scored and one homerun.
– Aaron Barratt went 2-for-5 with five RBIs, two runs scored and a homerun.
– Landon Figg was 1-for-5 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBIs.
– Kevin Handzlik finished 1-for-4 scoring three times, walked twice and had an RBI.
– Matt Schingel finished 1-for-2 he drew two walks, scored three times and hit his first collegiate homerun.
– Derek Hussey went 1-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs.

Key Northwest Innings
– Bilodeau got the Cats going in the first inning with a solo homerun to right field and Gutierrez followed it up with his own homerun to left field to put the Cats up 2-0.

– In the bottom of the fourth, Figg led off with a walk, Hassman singled through the left side and Handzlik drew a walk to load the bases. Barratt would bring them all in when he sent a grand slam over the left center fence to give the Bearcats the lead. Schingel followed him up with a solo shot to center field to increase the lead. Hussey would then draw a walk and move to second on a sacrifice bunt by Rycraft. With two outs, Gutierrez hit a double to left center to score Hussey and Gutierrez would then come around to score on a homerun to right center by Figg.

– After an out, Schingel and Hussey drew back-to-back walks and after another out Bilodeau singled to the shortstop to load the bases. Gutierrez singled to center field to score Schingel and Hussey to make the score 12-8.

– To start the sixth inning, Hassman doubled to center and then came in to score on another double by Handzlik down the right field line. Barratt brought in Handzlik with a single to left field and then would move to second on a sacrifice bunt. After another out, Rycraft was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a single by Bilodeau and Barratt was able to score.

– Hassman led off the seventh inning with a single through the left side and moved to second on a walk by Handzlik. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Barratt and Schingel loaded the bases after he drew a walk. Hussey doubled down the left field line to score all three runners and make the score 18-11.

– In the bottom of the eighth, Gutierrez led off with a double to left center and advanced to third on a fly ball. Hassman reached on an error by the infield and Gutierrez was able to score.

Up Next
– Northwest will take on Southwest Baptist on Saturday April 28, at 2 p.m. in Maryville, Mo.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri Western earns at-large bid to the NCAA men’s golf tournament

Posted on

ST. JOSEPH – For the first time in 10 years, the Missouri Western men’s golf team will play in the NCAA Division II Regional. The Griffons were selected eighth in the final central region poll and will begin play in the Central/Midwest Regional May 7 in Findlay, Ohio.

The youthful Griffons were one of four MIAA teams selected to the field of 10 central region participants. Led by All-MIAA selections Patrick McCarthy and Kevin Kim, Missouri Western finished no worse than 10th in all 10 events this year. The Griffons won the Broncho Stampede Invitational to finish the championship portion of their season and tied for first at their home event, the Holiday Inn Express/Candlewood Suites MWSU Invitational in October.

The three round regional will be held at the Findlay Country Club May 7-9. At a minimum, the top three finishing teams at the regional along with the top-two individuals not on an advancing team, will qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championships at the Robert Trent Golf Trail at the Shoals, Fighting Joe Course in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

— MWSU Athletics —

Mizzou drops series opener at No. 13 Kentucky

Posted on

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mizzou Baseball dropped its series opener at No. 13 Kentucky, 2-1, Friday night (April 27) at Cliff Hagan Field. Kentucky got a go-ahead two-out homer from cleanup man Luke Heyer off Mizzou starter T.J. Sikkema in the fifth inning and that proved to be the difference. Mizzou falls to 28-14 on the year and 8-11 in SEC play while Kentucky improves to 28-14 and 9-10 in SEC play.

Sikkema took a tough-luck loss, falling to 3-4 on the year. He went 6.0+ innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits while striking out six against zero walks. Kentucky starter and reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year Sean Hjelle earned the win, improving to 6-3 on the year. He tossed 8.0 innings, scattering just six hits while striking out eight. He surrendered just one run on a first-inning sacrifice squeeze by senior C Brett Bond.

Freshman CF Cade Bormet missed a two-out game-tying homer in the top of the ninth inning by about a foot, caroming off the top of the wall, settling for a double to extend his hitting streak to six games. He was stranded on second base representing the tying run.

TURNING POINT

Mizzou and Sikkema took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning. After Sikkema retired the leadoff man, a one-out single by C Troy Squires set up the go-ahead inning for the Wildcats. Sikkema induced what would have been a tailor-made double play ball off the bat of Kole Cottam, but Squires was running on the pitch and that extended the inning as Mizzou got just the one out. That loomed large as Luke Heyer hit a go-ahead two-run homer to center field, just over the 390-foot wall.

That blow came as Hjelle appeared to settle in, facing the minimum over the fifth and sixth innings. Mizzou got a leadoff double from Alex Samples in the seventh, but could not push him across as that was Mizzou’s best chance to tie the game.

QUOTING MIZZOU

Head Coach Steve Bieser

“Really tough game right there. We had our opportunities and just didn’t take advantage of those opportunities. When you don’t do that, you’re going to get in trouble and that’s what happened tonight.”

TOP TIGERS

  • Sophomore LHP T.J. Sikkema worked 6.0+ innings, facing one batter in the seventh inning, wallowing just two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. He walked just one in a tough-luck loss.
  • Junior 1B Brian Sharp reached base in three plate appearances, singling and scoring to leadoff the first, and walk later in the game. He tallied an infield hit in the eighth inning for his ninth multi-hit game of the season.
  • Senior C Brett Bond had Mizzou’s lone RBI on a sacrifice bunt in the first inning.
  • Junior RHP Nile Ball turned in a pair of shutout relief innings, striking out four.
  • Senior 3B Alex Samples hit his third double in the last two games Friday.
  • Freshman Cade Bormet extended his hitting streak to six games with a two-out double in the ninth inning.

NOTES

  • Mizzou now trail the all-time series with Kentucky, 6-8.
  • Mizzou falls to 6-5 on Fridays this season and 22-6 in night games.
  • Mizzou is now 8-8 against ranked teams this season.
  • Mizzou falls to 7-8 in road games this season
  • Mizzou scored in the first inning for the 18th time this season. Mizzou is 13-5 in such games this season. Mizzou has scored 35 runs in the first inning this season (42 runs).
  • Senior 3B Alex Samples hit his eighth double of the season in the seventh inning. He now has three doubles in his last two games.
  • Mizzou played its 25th errorless game of the season Friday as it continues to defend alongside the nation’s best teams.
  • Mizzou held its opponent to fewer than three runs for the 24th time in 42 games. It marked the 21st time in 42 games that the opponent has scored two or fewer runs.

UP NEXT

Mizzou and Kentucky will play Saturday at 1 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Griffons’ Shi Qing Ong named MIAA Golfer of the Year

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Griffon women’s golfer Shi Qing Ong was named MIAA Golfer of the Year as announced by the conference, Friday afternoon.

Ong was the medalist at this week’s MIAA Championships in Kansas City, claiming the individual title by seven strokes. Her MIAA win was the third individual title for the junior this season. She was also named first team All-MIAA for the third time in her career after being named MIAA Golfer of the year four times.

Joining Ong on the first team was Chong Yong. The sophomore had five top-10 finishes this season after qualifying, individually, for the NCAA Division II National Championships last season.

— MWSU Athletics —

St. Louis blows 3-run lead in ninth as they lose at Pittsburgh in 11 innings

Posted on

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Starling Marte’s game-ending single in the 11th inning lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

David Freese drew a one-out walk from rookie Jordan Hicks (1-1), advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on Gregory Polanco’s groundout. Marte then delivered a liner into center field, giving the Pirates their third victory in four games.

Cardinals closer Greg Holland started the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead, but failed to retire any of the batters he faced as his ERA rose to 7.11 in nine appearances. He was signed to a $14-million, one-year contract on opening day after tying for the NL lead with 41 saves last season with the Colorado Rockies. It was his first blown save with the Cardinals.

Corey Dickerson doubled and scored when first baseman Jose Martinez misplayed Colin Moran’s groundball for an error. Jordy Mercer then doubled off the center-field fence to drive in a run. When Tommy Pham misplayed the ball for an error, pinch-runner Chad Kuhl scored the tying run and Mercer advanced to third.

Three relievers combined to keep Mercer stranded, sending the game to extra innings but the Cardinals wound up losing for just the third time in 13 games.

Francisco Cervelli had three of the Pirates’ 10 hits and Polanco hit his sixth home run but first since April 12.

George Kontos (2-2) pitched one scoreless inning.

The Cardinals’ Marcell Ozuna had two RBI singles among his three hits and Jedd Gyorko homered.

St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas was in line to raise his record to 4-0 after allowing two runs and six hits in seven innings with seven strikeouts and no walks before the Pirates rallied against Holland.

Pittsburgh starter Steven Brault gave up five runs (four earned) in 4 2/3 innings.

Polanco’s home run led off the sixth and Dickerson added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to cut the Cardinals’ lead to 5-2.

The Cardinals broke on top 5-0 as Gyorko’s leadoff home run keyed a three-run third inning that included an RBI double by Pham and a run-scoring single by Ozuna. Kolten Wong hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth and Ozuna singled in a run an inning later.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: LHP Ryan Sherriff (fractured right big toe) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis.

Pirates: RHP AJ Schugel (right shoulder discomfort) has pitched twice for Triple-A Indianapolis, giving up one run in 2 2/3 innings, since having his rehab assignment moved from Class A Bradenton.

KANG TO EXTENDED SPRING

Pirates INF Jung Ho Kang, who is on the restricted list, will begin working out Monday at extended spring training in Bradenton Florida. Kang has not played for the Pirates since 2016 as he was unable to obtain a work visa last year after being arrested in his native South Korea for DUI for a third time and receiving an eight-month suspended sentence.

BULLPEN SHUFFLE

The Cardinals optioned RHP John Gant to Memphis a day after he pitched three perfect innings to get the win in a 13-inning game with the New York Mets. RHP Mike Mayers was recalled from Memphis.

KINGHAM LIKELY TO DEBUT

Manager Clint Hurdle said the Pirates are planning to recall RHP Nick Kingham from Indianapolis to make a spot start Sunday. It would mark the major league debut for the 26-year-old.

TURN OF THE CENTURY

Phil Coyne, who retired as an usher just prior to opening day, was honored in a pre-game ceremony on his 100th birthday. Coyne began ushering in 1936 and the Pirates estimate he worked over 6,000 games at Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park.

UP NEXT

St. Louis will recall RHP Jack Flaherty (0-0, 1.80 ERA) from Memphis to start Saturday night against RHP Trevor Williams (3-1, 2.15). Flaherty pitched for the Cardinals on April 3 at Milwaukee and allowed one run in five innings of a no-decision. Williams is 1-2 with an 8.15 ERA against the Cardinals in six career games.

— Associated Press —

MWSU’s softball season ends with loss to Central Oklahoma

Posted on

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – No. 5-seeded Griffon Softball (25-29) was eliminated from the MIAA Championships with a 3-1 loss to No. 3-seeded Central Oklahoma (31-21), Friday at ASA Hall of Fame Complex.

Kenzie Hilzer and Kaili Hinds combined to strand 13 UCO base runners in the game, working around at least two runners in every inning to hold the Bronchos to three runs on 10 hits. The Griffon offense had a hard time moving base runners itself, leaving seven on base in the game. MWSU had five hits and walked three times.

  • It was just the third time in the Jen Bagley Trotter era the Griffons finished the season under .500 and the first time since 2008 (27-28)
  • The top five batters in the Griffon order went a combined 1-for-13 in the game
  • Gabi Carter went 2-for-3 in the game
  • Tamara Hicks went 2-for-3
  • Morgan Frost drove in the only Griffon run on a single in the third
  • Hilzer (14-14) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on nine hits. She walked five and struck out two

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons rally past No. 1 seed Washburn to stay alive at MIAA softball tournament

Posted on

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – No. 5 seed Griffon Softball (25-28) rallied to keep its season alive, coming back to eliminate No. 1-seeded Washburn 5-4 on the opening night of the MIAA Championships.

Shelby Uhl delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth to push Missouri Western past the MIAA regular season champions. Gabi Carter got on to lead off the eighth by being hit by a pitch. Kalyn Damgaard pinch ran for Carter and got to second two batters later on Markee Brown’s fielder’s choice. Uhl bounced a single into center that scored Damgaard from second to give MWSU the upset win.

Down 4-0 in the bottom of the seventh, the bottom of the Griffon order sparked the rally. Rebekah Mueller led off the inning with a double to left and got to third when Markee Brown singled and advanced on a throw. With runners on second and third, Tamara Hicks struck out. Shelby Uhl gave the Griffs their first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Mueller and got Brown to third. Shelbie Atwell followed with an RBI-double to left center. Morgan Frost scored Atwell with a single to left and got to second herself on the throw. Lonnie Groves drove in the tying run with a single to right.

The Griffons were limited to just an infield single through the first six innings, but totaled five hits in the seventh. Kenzie Hilzer picked up the win in relief. The honorable mention All-MIAA pitcher entered with runners on first and second and one out in the eighth. She coaxed two ground outs to end the Ichabod threat.

A 5-3 loss to No. 4 seed Northwest Missouri in the opener pushed the Griffons into the Thursday night elimination game. The win over Washburn moves the Griffons into another elimination game Friday at 11 a.m. against No. 3 seed Central Oklahoma

— MWSU Athletics —

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File