Sports – Page 469 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Bearcats defeat Missouri Southern to salvage final game of series

Posted on April 10, 2016

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team beat No. 19 Missouri Southern on Sunday, 19-15, at Warren Turner Field in Joplin, Mo.

It was the most Bearcat runs scored since a 20-10 victory over Nebraska-Kearney back on March 13, 2015.

The 17 hits tied the season-high set back on April 1, a 12-6 win over Pittsburg State.

Northwest improved to 18-16 overall and 13-11 in MIAA play with the win. The Lions fall to 24-11 and 14-10 in conference action.

Centerfielder Garrett Fort had a career-day, going 5-of-6 at the plate wiht six RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Ozzie Adams drove in four runs, going 2-for-7 with a run scored.

Eight different Bearcat players recorded a hit and 10 players scored a run.

Northwest also tied a season high with 12 walks, marching the mark set in a 12-10 win at Washburn on March 10.

The three Bearcat home runs tied the mark set earlier in the week against Nebraska-Kearney on April 5.

Northwest will begin a three-game mid-week series with Missouri Western starting on Wednesday, April 13 at 3 p.m. at Bearcat Field.

— Northwest Athletics —

Moss, Carpenter hit 3-run HRs as St. Louis top Atlanta 12-7

Posted on April 10, 2016

ATLANTA (AP) — Brandon Moss and Matt Carpenter hit three-run homers and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Braves 12-7 on Sunday to keep Atlanta as the only NL team without a win.

The Braves (0-5) also lost right-hander Dan Winkler, who suffered a fractured right elbow while throwing a pitch in the seventh. He left the mound in obvious pain after throwing behind Randal Grichuk.

The Cardinals completed the three-game sweep despite a poor start from Adam Wainwright, who allowed five runs in five innings.

After rallying for a 7-6 lead in the eighth, the Cardinals put the game away with five runs in the ninth to score 12 runs for the second straight day. Aledmys Diaz hit a two-run double off Jose Ramirez in the ninth before Carpenter’s three-run homer.

The Braves’ last 0-5 start came in 1988 when they lost their first 10 games.

Moss’ homer capped the Cardinals’ four-run third inning for a 4-1 lead. Drew Stubbs’ three-run homer off Wainwright in the bottom of the frame tied the game.

Trailing 6-5, the Cardinals had four straight hitters reach base with two outs in the eighth against Jim Johnson (0-1). Jeremy Hazelbaker’s single drove in Matt Holliday, who began the rally with a pinch-hit single. Stephen Piscotty’s single to right drove in Carpenter, who was hit by a pitch, to give the Cardinals the lead.

The Braves loaded the bases against Jonathan Broxton in the eighth. Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal struck out pinch-hitter Jeff Francoeur to end the inning. Rosenthal gave up one run in the ninth for his second save as the Cardinals completed their first sweep of three or more games at Turner Field.

Nick Markakis hit three doubles, including a ground-rule shot in the sixth that gave Atlanta a 6-5 lead.

Winkler struck out Cardinals rookie Jeremy Hazelbaker to end the sixth with the bases loaded. An inning later, Winkley held his right arm to his chest as he left the mound in pain. Walking toward the Braves’ dugout, he fell to his knees after crossing the first-base line. He was assisted to the dugout.

St. Louis right-handed reliever Seung Hwan Oh (1-0) had two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh.

The homer by Stubbs was the first allowed by the Cardinals this season. They were the last team in the majors to allow a homer.

Wainwright matched his career high with five walks, including one intentional.

Williams Perez gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings for Atlanta.

ROSTER MOVES

The Braves placed center fielder Ender Inciarte on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

Atlanta also optioned right-hander John Gant to Gwinnett, recalled right-hander Chris Withrow from Gwinnett and agreed to terms on a minor league deal with utility player Emilio Bonifacio, who was assigned to Gwinnett. Bonifacio was designated for assignment by the Braves on April 2.

Withrow allowed one run while recording one out in the sixth.

Gant, who had a 12.00 ERA in three games, will work as a starter at Gwinnett.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Manager Mike Matheny said LHP Marco Gonzales, who began the season on the disabled list at Triple-A Memphis, is facing possible left elbow surgery. Gonzales has consulted two doctors. The type of surgery Gonzales is contemplating has not been disclosed. Gonzales was a first-round pick in 2013.

Braves: Withrow missed all of 2015 while recovering from elbow and back surgeries. He said it a relief to be back in the majors after “overcoming some obstacles … surgeries and setbacks.” … Winkler missed most of the 2015 season recovering from Tommy John surgery in July 2014.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha will make his second career home-opening start on Monday against Milwaukee. Wacha also started the 2014 home opener. He is 2-0 with a 5.87 ERA in four career games, including three starts, against the Brewers.

Braves: RHP Bud Norris will start in Monday’s opener of a four-game series at Washington. Norris (0-1) allowed three runs in seven innings in a 3-1 home loss to the Nationals on Wednesday.

— Associated Press —

MWSU tennis falls to No. 16 Northeastern State

Posted on April 10, 2016April 10, 2016

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri Western Women’s Tennis dropped its second straight match in as many days, falling to #16 Northeastern State 7-2 on Sunday afternoon. It’s the Griffons first time losing two straight matches all season long.

The Griffons started the day with two points after NSU defaulted at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles matches. Northeastern State managed to take all seven contests in convincing fashion, taking the singles matches in straight sets.

In doubles competition, Sofia Aguilera and Yasmine El Ghazi lost 8-3 in the No. 1 spot and in the No. 2 spot Joanna Abreu Roman and Sarah Giraldo suffered defeat 8-2.

Singles competition
1. #32 Husakova,Patricia (NSU) def. El Ghazi,Yasmine (MWSU) 6-0, 4-3, retired
2. Panferova,Daria (NSU) def. Giraldo,Sarah (MWSU) 6-0, 6-0
3. Efimenko,Valeriia (NSU) def. Aguilera,Sofia (MWSU) 6-3, 6-0
4. Worden,Molly (NSU) def. Abreu Roman,Joanna (MWSU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Tomaic,Karla (NSU) def. Chiao,Denise (MWSU) 6-1, 6-0
6. No player (MWSU) def. No player (NSU), by default

Doubles competition
1. Husakova,Patricia/Worden,Molly (NSU) def. Aguilera,Sofia/El Ghazi,Yasmine (MWSU) 8-3
2. Efimenko,Valeriia/Tomaic,Karla (NSU) def. Abreu Roman,Joanna/Giraldo,Sarah (MWSU) 8-2
3. No player/No player (MWSU) def. No player/No player (NSU), by default

The Griffons will be on the road April 15th against Southwest Baptist, starting at 3 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

MWSU softball takes over first place with sweep of Pittsburg State

Posted on April 9, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team took over soul possession of first place in the MIAA standings with a doubleheader sweep of Pittsburg State on Saturday. Seniors Shyanne Saladino and Janie Smith combined to allow just six Pittsburg State hits and one run in 17 innings. After the doubleheader, the two pitchers and infielder Emilie Laliberte were honored as part of Senior Day.

GAME 1: #18 MWSU 1, Pittsburg State 0 (10 innings)

With two down in the bottom of the 10th inning, Paige Shifflett drove the 11th pitch of her at bat to left field and Megan Korgie scored from second to take an absolute pitcher’s duel, 1-0.

The throw from left field beat Korgie to the plate, but the junior slid around the tag for the winning run. Shifflett was down 0-2then worked the count full before fouling off four-straight pitches before the walk-off single. Korgie was placed on second to begin the inning as part of International Tiebreaker rules. Rebekah Mueller struck out trying to bunt Korgie over. Morgan Rathmann then reached on an error before Shelbie Atwell fouled out to the third baseman to set up Shifflett’s at-bat.

Janie Smith was masterful, allowing just two hits in 10 innings. She struck out six and walked three, throwing 116 pitches compared to Emmie Robertson’s 180 for Pittsburg State. It was Smith’s seventh complete game shutout of the season. Robertson took a hard-luck loss, striking out 18 in nine and two-thirds. She allowed five hits in the game and walked four.

Shifflett had two of the Griffons’ hits and drove in the only run.

GAME 2: #18 MWSU 7, Pittsburg State 1

Shyanne Saladino worked a no-hitter for five and a third before surrendering her first hit on an infield single with one down in the sixth. Her offense helped her out, scoring three in the second and four in the sixth.

Saladino improved to 16-3 with the win. She ended up allowing four hits and one run while striking out five. Morgan Rathmann was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Shelbie Atwell went 2-4 with two RBIs and Katie Klosterman was 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Klosterman reached first in all but one at-bat on the day, going 3-4 with three walks.

The win improved Missouri Western to 34-10 on the season, 19-3 in the MIAA and gave the Griffons a two-game lead over the Gorillas and Northwest Missouri State in the conference standings. Missouri Western hosts Northwest Missouri for a non-conference doubleheader Thursday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons outlast Central Oklahoma 22-21 in 10 innings

Posted on April 9, 2016

EDMOND, Okla. – The Missouri Western baseball team outlasted Central Oklahoma in 10 innings on Saturday for a 22-21 win in game two of a three-game series. The two teams combined for 14 home runs, including a record-tying six by Missouri Western.

Jeremy Alvarado, Kody Matthews and Brandon Downs hit two home runs apiece in the game. Alvarado’s three-run shot in the ninth brought Missouri Western within one and brought in the fifth of what would be an eight-run inning for the Griffons to take the lead. Central Oklahoma scored eight in the bottom of the eighth to take an 18-13 lead. Missouri Western answered with the eight in the ninth to take a 21-18 lead, but Central Oklahoma scored three in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. Alvarado’s seventh RBI of the game on a single in the 10th proved to be the game winner.

Between the two teams, 17 pitchers were used. Central Oklahoma used four different pitchers in the ninth inning alone. Weston Caindec picked up the win for Missouri Western as one of three Griffon pitchers to go more than one inning. Caindec was the only Griffon pitcher to not allow a run. He went the final inning and two thirds, allowing three hits and striking out four.

Four Griffons had three hits or more. Matthews was 5-6 with five RBIs and four runs scored. Alvarado was 3-5 with seven RBIs and two runs scored. Landon Mason, Orencio Fisher and Downs also had three hits apiece.

Missouri Western (23-11, 15-8) looks to complete the sweep Sunday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Kennedy impressive in Kansas City debut, beats Twins

Posted on April 9, 2016April 9, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ian Kennedy followed up an unimpressive spring with a strong regular season debut with the Kansas City Royals.

Kennedy pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings and the Royals hit their first three home runs of the season to beat the winless Minnesota Twins 7-0 Saturday night.

“There was a little more added to it, coming to a new team that’s the defending world champs,” said Kennedy, who was 0-3 with a 6.30 in spring games. “You want to do well. It adds a little more to it in your first outing for them.”

The Twins fell to 0-5 for the first time since the Washington Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961.

Kennedy (1-0), signed by the Royals to a five-year $70 million contract in January, limited the Twins to five hits — including four singles, before being pulled after 109 pitches with two out in the seventh. He walked one and struck out seven.

“This is the pitcher we signed,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We don’t even look at spring training numbers. He was on top of his game.”

Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain hit successive home runs in the fourth for the first hits off Twins left-hander Tommy Milone, while Kendrys Morales homered in the sixth off Casey Fien.

“Even those two home runs I felt were two pretty well-placed pitches,” Milone said. “Just good hitters. They were either waiting for it or good adjustments.”

Milone (0-1) allowed four runs — two earned — and four hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar committed two errors — one fielding and one throwing — leading to the two unearned runs in the fifth.

“Everything went wrong that could,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “A decent start from Tommy and then the back-to-back homers. We were having trouble getting anything going offensively again. Then we made some mistakes in the field the next inning that kind of opened up the flood gates a little bit.”

Paulo Orlando, who was making his first start of the season, had three hits, including an RBI single in the three-run sixth and scored on Alcides Escobar’s two-out triple.

Chien-Ming Wang, who won 38 games for the Yankees in 2006-07, pitched a scoreless ninth, his first big league appearance since Aug. 24, 2013, while with Toronto.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: CF Danny Santana left with a strained right hamstring in the sixth and will be placed on the disabled list.

Royals: OF Jarrod Dyson (right oblique strain) went 1 for 2 with a RBI, walk and scored two runs Saturday for Triple-A Omaha in his first rehab game.

BUXTON, SANO OUT

CF Bryan Buxton, who was ranked the Twins top prospect entering the season, and LF Miguel Sano, who hit .280 with 18 HRs in 80 games as a rookie, were not in the lineup. Buxton has struck out 10 times in 15 at-bats, while Sano is 2 for 15 with no extra-base hits and striking out eight times. “Some of the guys who have not gotten off to good starts we are giving a little bit of a blow,” Molitor said. “You are just looking for some people to step up and kind of get this ship rolling in a more positive direction.” Buxton replaced the injured Santana in the sixth and struck out in the eighth, while Sano flied out as a pinch hitter with two runners on in the seventh and struck out to end the game.

NO DISGRACING AUGUSTA

Royals manager Ned Yost lives in Georgia, was on the Atlanta Braves’ coaching staff 12 seasons and managed three years in the South Atlantic League, where his teams would play games at Augusta. Yost, however, has never played the Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters. “I would not do that,” Yost said. “I would not disgrace that place with me playing golf on it. No way that would ever happen. Even if I was invited to play I would not do that.”

UP NEXT

Twins: RHP Ricky Nolasco, who was limited to 37 1/3 innings last year because of ankle and elbow injuries, will make his first start.

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez, who threw six scoreless innings to beat the Mets in the season opener, will start the series finale.

— Associated Press —

Bearcat softball takes two from Missouri Southern to extend win streak to nine

Posted on April 9, 2016April 9, 2016

The Northwest Missouri State softball team topped Missouri Southern via the eight-run rule twice Saturday afternoon in Maryville, Mo.

The Bearcats honored seniors Madison Jones, Sarah Baldwin and Kendle Schieber before first pitch.

Jones crushed a home run and Schieber struck out seven in game one, leading to a 9-1 Bearcat victory.

Baldwin continued her recent success in the circle, tossing another complete game shutout en route to a 8-0 triumph.

Northwest is now 33-9 overall and 17-5 in conference play, while the Lions fall to 22-29 this season and 9-13 in the MIAA.

The Bearcats will travel to St. Joseph, Mo. for a pair of non-conference games with #18 Missouri Western Thursday, April 14th. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

Missouri holds off Auburn to win series finale

Posted on April 9, 2016April 9, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball (20-14, 4-8) took the lead early and was able to hold on to earn a 4-3 victory over Auburn (15-17, 3-9) on Saturday (April 9) to take the series, Mizzou’s second consecutive SEC series win.

Freshman LHP Michael Plassmeyer (St. Louis, Mo.) earned the win with the strongest start of his career, allowing no runs on only three hits through 5.2 innings. He tied his career-high with five strikeouts while only walking one batter. Freshman Brian Sharp (Liberty, Mo) came into the game in the ninth inning to earn his team-leading fifth save of the season to strand a pair, striking out both batters he faced.

Junior CF Jake Ring (Ingleside, Ill) went 2-4 at the plate and scored a run to continue an impressive six-game stretch in which he has scored and reached base in each game. Sophomore catcher Brett Bond (St. Louis, Mo.) hit his fourth home run of the season in the second inning, giving him two RBI in the game.

Ring stole his SEC-leading 20th base of the season in the first inning, which set him up to score on a single from senior 1B Zach Lavy (Auxvasse, Mo.) to give the Tigers the lead. The two-run shot from Bond in the second inning extended the lead to 3-0. After Mizzou conceded runs in the seventh and eighth innings, sophomore LF Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.) drove in his 26th run of the season on a single past the first baseman in the bottom of the eighth to bring the score to 4-2.

Auburn managed to score another run with one out in the ninth inning, leading Sharp to come into the game with Mizzou’s lead at 4-3. He struck out both batters he faced to secure the victory, bring his ERA down to a team-best 1.56 on the season.

Mizzou will visit Missouri State on Tuesday (April 12) for a game at 6:35 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State comes up short at Missouri Southern 7-6

Posted on April 9, 2016April 9, 2016

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Missouri Southern, 7-6, on Saturday afternoon at Warren Turner Field in Joplin, Mo.

The Bearcats fall to 17-16 on the year and 12-11 in MIAA action. The No. 19 ranked Lions improved to 24-10 overall and 14-9 in conference play.

James Holler went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. He hit his fourth and fifth home runs of the year on solo shots. It was his second multi-home run game of the season.

Joseph Hietpas got the start and went 5.2 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits. Only five of the runs were earned. He struck out five and walked five. Nikko Pablo pitched the final 2.1 innings. He allowed just one unearned run and struck out three.

The series will conclude on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Joplin, Mo.

— Northwest Athletics —

Martinez, Cardinals roll to 12-2 win at Atlanta

Posted on April 9, 2016April 9, 2016

ATLANTA (AP) — Pitcher Carlos Martinez drove in two runs, matching the total he allowed in six innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Julio Teheran and the winless Atlanta Braves 12-2 on Saturday night.

At 0-4, Atlanta is the only NL team without a victory this season.

Martinez (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks.

The Cardinals have scored a combined 19 runs while winning the first two games of the weekend series. They were held to only seven runs in three losses at Pittsburgh to open the season.

Kolten Wong had three hits, scored two runs and also reached on one of Atlanta’s two errors. Aledmys Diaz had two hits, including an RBI off John Gant in the eighth.

Teheran (0-1) gave up four earned runs on six hits and four walks in four innings. He also threw two wild pitches.

Martinez drove in a run with a grounder in the second inning and a single in the fifth.

Teheran loaded the bases with three walks in the first. As a bookend to the collection of shaky pitching, Jason Grilli walked three batters in the ninth.

Atlanta’s Nick Markakis had a run-scoring double and scored on Freddie Freeman’s single in the third.

CHILLS, SPILLS

The temperatures fell from 60 degrees for the first pitch into the 40s. The breezy, chilly conditions may have contributed to the combined six errors, 12 walks and four wild pitches. Five Braves pitchers totaled nine walks and three wild pitches.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Martinez, 24, threw 99 pitches in his 38th career start. … Rookie CF Jeremy Hazelbaker earned the start and hit second following his pinch-hit HR on Friday night. He went 1 for 4 with a walk, scored a run, drove in one and stole a base.

Braves: CF Ender Inciarte did not play after leaving Friday night’s game with a tight left hamstring. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Inciarte was “a lot better” on Saturday. Inciarte may be held out again Sunday, and the prospect of cold, wet weather in Washington early next week could keep him out of the lineup longer if he still has any discomfort.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright will make his second try for his first win of the season when he starts in Sunday’s final game of the series against the Braves. Wainwright is 8-2 with a 2.54 ERA in 15 career games, including 10 starts, against Atlanta.

Braves: RHP Williams Perez, who was 7-6 with a 4.78 ERA in 2015, will make his first start on Sunday. It will be his first appearance against the Cardinals.

— Associated Press —