Sports – Page 568 – St. Joseph Post Archive

MWSU women’s golf team sits in 2nd after day one of MIAA Fall Preview

Posted on September 28, 2015

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Western women’s golf team currently sits second through the first round of the MIAA Fall Preview. MWSU fired a 307 in the first round with all five players reporting a score under 80.

The Griffons are led by freshman Jenna Kosmatka as she scored a 75 in round one, earning her a spot in fourth place overall. Celine Lim was second on the team with a 76 and currently sits tied for fifth. Shi Quing Ong and Anna Kloeppel are currently tied at 13th, scoring a 78 in round one.

Missouri Western currently sits two shots behind Northeastern for first place. The Griffons are up one stroke on Central Oklahoma for third place.

Ebba Moberg is the currently individual leader as she has a score of 73 through round one.

The Griffons will finish up the second round of the MIAA Fall Preview on Tuesday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Cardinals inch closer to NL Central title, top Pirates 3-0

Posted on September 28, 2015September 28, 2015

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Matt Carpenter raced home to break a scoreless tie in the ninth inning when two Pittsburgh Pirates outfielders mishandled Jon Jay’s single, and Mark Reynolds followed with a two-run homer to lift the banged-up St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-0 win on Monday night.

The Cardinals reduced their magic number to clinch a third straight NL Central title to two after getting to Pittsburgh closer Mark Melancon (3-2). St. Louis can wrap up the division with a victory at Pittsburgh Tuesday night.

In the bottom of the seventh, Cardinals outfielder Stephen Piscotty was carted off the field following a violent collision with teammate Peter Bourjos. The team said Piscotty was taken to the hospital with a head contusion, and all tests conducted were negative. He will be held overnight for observation.

Carpenter singled with one out and scored all the way from first when Pittsburgh right fielder Gregory Polanco overran Jay’s hit and center fielder Andrew McCutchen couldn’t pick the ball up cleanly.

Reynolds then drilled his 12th homer of the year to give closer Trevor Rosenthal some cushion for his 48th save. Jonathan Broxton (4-5) earned the win.

Pittsburgh, already assured of a wild-card berth, left 16 runners on base while falling four games behind the Cardinals with five to go.

Pittsburgh has been relentlessly chasing frontrunning St. Louis for five months. Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Pirates finally had their chance to catch the Cardinals if they could earn a three-game sweep at home in a matchup of the teams with the two best records in the majors.

Instead, St. Louis did what it has done all year, relying on its pitching and just enough hitting to keep Pittsburgh at bay.

The Cardinals survived on a night they issued 10 walks. Pittsburgh put runners on base in every inning except the first, but none could find their way home on a night the Pirates went 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position, including 0 for 3 in the ninth with the tying run at the plate.

St. Louis starter Lance Lynn labored his way through five scoreless innings, most of them out of the stretch while the Pirates kept wasting opportunities to take control. Starling Marte was nailed at the plate to end the second while trying to score on a shallow fly to center by Jordy Mercer as Jason Heyward’s throw beat the speedy Marte by three steps.

Marte then struck out with the bases loaded to end the third. Polanco led off the fifth with a double only to run into an out at third on a chopper to shortstop by Josh Harrison. Lynn needed 96 pitches to retire 15 batters, walking four with six strikeouts.

Pittsburgh starter J.A. Happ, a revelation since being acquired at the non-waiver trade deadline from Seattle, was decidedly more efficient. The lefthander allowed only Kolten Wong’s single leading off the third.

Otherwise, he was dominant, striking out four and needing only 56 pitches to get through six shutout innings to lower his ERA to 2.04 in 10 starts with the Pirates. Happ was lifted for pinch-hitter Michael Morse with two outs and two on in the sixth. Morse walked to load the bases, but St. Louis reliever Seth Maness got Polanco to hit a routine fly to right to end the threat.

FRIGHTENING MOMENT

In a frightening scene during the seventh, Piscotty lay motionless on the grass in left-center field for several minutes after his collision with Bourjos. Piscotty, playing left, and Bourjos, playing center, were tracking Josh Harrison’s drive to the gap when Bourjos’ knee slammed into the head of the diving Piscotty. Bourjos made the catch while Piscotty crumpled to the turf.

Piscotty was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field. The rookie did manage a wave with his left hand before disappearing into a tunnel underneath the stadium, eliciting a big cheer from the Pittsburgh crowd.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: C Yadier Molina’s injured left thumb will keep him out for the rest of the regular season. Molina, who suffered a slight ligament tear in the thumb on Sept. 20, met with a hand specialist on Monday and will be given at least a week off before being re-evaluated. … RHP Adam Wainwright, who tore his left Achilles tendon in April, could be ready to work out of the bullpen as early as Wednesday.

UP NEXT

The series continues on Tuesday when Michael Wacha (17-6, 3.15) faces Pittsburgh’s Charlie Morton (9-8, 4.54). Wacha is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in six games against the Pirates. Morton is 2-11 in his career against the Cardinals, his last victory coming on April 4, 2011.

— Associated Press —

MIAA hands out weekly football honors

Posted on September 28, 2015September 28, 2015

Kansas City, Mo. – Emporia State’s Brent Wilson and Pittsburg State’s John Roderique Jr. have been named the MIAA/AstroTurf Football Offensive Athlete of the Week. Northwest Missouri’s Jacob Vollstedt has been named the Defensive Athlete of the Week with ESU’s Austin Morton earning Special Teams Athlete of the Week.

MIAA/AstroTurf Co-Offensive Athlete of the Week

Brent Wilson, QB, Emporia State

In one half of action Wilson threw five touchdown passes, going 12 of 18 for 285 yards to lead Emporia State to a 42-7 lead on the way to a 55-14 victory over Northeastern State. He now has 14 touchdown passes and 1,377 yards in four games. The 6-0 senior quarterback is a native of Ponca City, Okla. where he competed at Ponca City High School.

MIAA/AstroTurf Co-Offensive Athlete of the Week

John Roderique Jr., QB, Pittsburg State

Roderique, Jr. rushed for a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 5:36 to play, to help No. 15 Pittsburg State rally past previously unbeaten Fort Hays State, 31-24, Saturday (Sept. 26) at Hays. The Webb City, Mo. native carried the ball 18 times for a game-high 117 yards and the two TDs, while completing 21 of 32 passes for 225 yards and a third score to help the Gorillas claim their 22nd straight regular season road win dating back to the 2010 season. Roderique prepped at Webb City High School and transferred to Pitt State from Sam Houston State University.

MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week

Jacob Vollstedt, LB, Northwest Missouri

Jacob Vollstedt had a career high 18 tackles in Northwest’s 23-16 win over Central Oklahoma. The junior also set a career-high with three quarterback sacks. In all, his tackles for loss accounted for 26 yards as the Bearcats held the Bronchos to 266 total yards. Vollstedt was also credited with two pass breakups and a pair of quarterback hurries. The 6-2 junior is a native of Iowa City, Iowa where he competed at Iowa City Regina High School.

MIAA Special Team Athlete of the Week

Austin Morton, K, Emporia State

Morton was seven of seven on PAT’s and two for two on field goals with a season long 39 yarder in Emporia State’s 55-14 win over Northeastern State. The 5-9 sophomore is a native of Rockwall, Texas where he competed at Rockwall High School.

— MIAA Press Release —

Big 12 announces football players of the week

Posted on September 28, 2015September 28, 2015

TCU’s Josh Doctson along with Oklahoma State teammates Emmanuel Ogbah and Ben Grogan were chosen Big 12 Football Players of the Week by a panel of media that covers the Conference. All three of this week’s honorees picked up their second career award and first of the season.

Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

Josh Doctson, TCU, WR, Sr, Mansfield, Texas

Wide receiver Josh Doctson tied the TCU and Big 12 single-game records with 18 receptions for 267 yards and three touchdowns in the Horned Frogs’ 55-52 win at Texas Tech. The 18 catches are the most by an FBS player this season and only three others have achieved the feat since 2013. It tied the Big 12 mark set in 1996 and the TCU record set in 1990. The 267 receiving yards broke the TCU single-game mark of 226 set in 2008. Doctson’s three touchdown catches give him 21 in his career to rank second on the Horned Frogs’ all-time list behind only Josh Boyce with 22. The senior became the first Horned Frog with at least 10 receptions in a game since Trevone Boykin had 11 catches against West Virginia in 2013. He was also honored as Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week.

Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State, DE, Jr, Houston, Texas

Defensive end Emmanual Ogbah posted six tackles, two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in Oklahoma State’s 30-27 win at Texas. Ogbah had a sack early in the game, then assisted on two during Texas’ last offensive drive to force a punt that set up the Cowboys’ winning field goal as OSU became the first team in history to beat Texas on four consecutive trips to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Ogbah has 19 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries in four games this season.

Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week

Ben Grogan, Oklahoma State, PK, Jr, Arlington, Texas

Ben Grogan connected on two field goals in the game’s final 1:33 to first tie and then win the game for Oklahoma State at Texas. Grogan also knocked in a 34-yarder earlier in the game. His game-tying field goal came from 41 yards out and his game-winner was from 40. When his three successful PATs are added in, the junior scored 12 of OSU’s 30 points. Grogan has converted on eight of 10 field goals this season and is three of four from beyond 40 yards.

— Big 12 Press Release —

Western soccer comes up short at Northeastern State 1-0

Posted on September 27, 2015

TAHELQUAH, Okla. – The Missouri Western women’s soccer team dropped their match on Sunday afternoon, falling to Northeastern State 1-0. The Griffons are now 4-2-1 overall and 0-1-1 in MIAA play.

The Griffons and RiverHawks played the first half with no score and each offensive being limited to three shots of less. NSU came out of halftime controlling much of the pace creating 12 shots in the half and scoring their first goal of the afternoon. Jennifer Cudjoe scored her fifth goal of the season with a shot from inside the box and was assisted by Kelsey McIntrye.

The Griffons were limited offensively, earning only four shots throughout the match. Sydeney Andrews had two shots while Cassidy Chappell and Layne Shepherd each had one shot as well. MWSU was able to earn five corner kicks in the match.

Sarah Lyle had five saves during the game while playing all 90 minutes for the Griffons.

Missouri Western will return home next weekend with two home games. On Friday, October 2nd the Griffons will take on Missouri Southern at 4 and on Sunday, October 4th they will face off against Southwest Baptist.

— MWSU Athletics —

Royals’ Young throws 5 no-hit innings, earns win one day after father’s death

Posted on September 27, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A day after his father died, Chris Young took the mound and paid tribute the best way he knew how.

Young pitched five no-hit innings in his first start after nearly two months in the bullpen, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Indians 3-0 Sunday.

“Today I had the opportunity to honor him, playing the game we both loved alongside of my baseball family,” Young said in a statement that a club spokesman read to the media. “I felt him next to me with every pitch.”

Young caught a flight to Dallas before the game ended.

“Last night he got a call that they had taken his dad to the hospital and he wasn’t doing good,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “About 11:30 to 12 (p.m.), he passed away.”

“Chris was adamant he wanted to pitch today. To go out with that on his heart and throw five innings of no-hit baseball was unbelievable,” he said.

Young (11-6) made his first start since July 28.

After Danny Duffy struck out two in a perfect sixth for the AL Central champion Royals, Ryan Madson took over to work the seventh.

On Madson’s first pitch, Francisco Lindor broke up Kansas City’s no-hit bid with a bunt single.

“We’re not trying to break up a no-hitter. We’re trying to win a game,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “If they have issues with it — I saw (shortstop Alcides) Escobar saying a few things — they can take it up with me. I thought it was a very good bunt.”

Yost had no quarrels with Lindor bunting.

“I was a little bit surprised,” Yost said. “But no, they’re fighting for a wild card.”

Yost said he would’ve been more annoyed if it hadn’t been a combo effort on the no-hit try.

“I just want to win the game and they want to win the game and they’re trying find ways to keep themselves in that wild-card hunt,” Yost said.

Lindor put down a bunt that third baseman Mike Moustakas, who was playing back, picked up with his bare hand about 40 feet from home plate. Moustakas’ one-hop throw to first was not nearly in time.

“I was trying to get on base and make something happen,” Lindor said. “Michael Brantley was coming to home plate, the tying run. I mean that’s big, to get the tying run to the plate. Getting somebody on base when it’s two-nothing, you can change the game like that.”

A day after climbing above .500 for the first time since April 9, the Indians (77-77) fell four games behind Houston (82-74) for the AL’s second wild card with eight games left.

Cleveland’s only previous baserunner before Lindor was Brantley, who walked with two outs in the fourth. Lorenzo Cain tracked down Jose Ramirez’s liner to right-center in the third for the closest thing to a hit off Young.

Brantley followed Lindor’s hit with a walk and, one out later, Lonnie Chisenhall lined out to Madson, who threw to first baseman Eric Hosmer trying for an inning-ending double play. The throw was off line and in the dirt as Brantley eluded Hosmer and got back safely, while Lindor came home.

Kansas City asked for a video review, but after a 71-second delay the call was not overturned — Hosmer tagged Brantley with his glove while the ball was in his throwing hand.

Moustakas claimed Lindor did not tag up before running home. Crew chief Dane DeMuth called for an umpire’s review and, after a 3:27 delay, umpires ruled Lindor left early and was out.

Kelvin Herrera worked a flawless eighth, and Wade Davis gave up a double to Jason Kipnis in the ninth as he finished for his 14th save in 15 chances.

Kansas City took a 2-0 lead in the fourth against Danny Salazar (13-10) when Hosmer hit an RBI double and scored on Moustakas’ groundout. Alex Gordon singled in a run in the seventh.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Indians: Brantley (right shoulder injury) played left after missing the four previous games.

Royals: DH Kendrys Morales sat out with a bruised right ankle after being hit by a pitch Saturday. X-rays were negative.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Corey Kluber, who starts Monday against the Twins, is tied for the AL-lead with 15 losses after winning the AL Cy Young Award last year.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura will start Monday at Wrigley Field, a makeup of a May 30 rainout against the Cubs.

— Associated Press —

Northwest soccer loses at Central Oklahoma Sunday

Posted on September 27, 2015

The Northwest Missouri State soccer team came up a goal short in Sunday’s contest at Central Oklahoma, losing 2-1.

With the loss, the Bearcats drop to 1-4-2 overall and 0-2 in the conference, while the Bronchos improve to 4-3-1 this season and 1-0-1 in MIAA play.

Anna Holden scored her first goal of the season in the 88th minute.

Holden attempted two shots in the match, both of which were on frame. The senior has now scored nine goals in her career, tied for 12th all-time at Northwest.

Sophomore Ashley Malloy made 10 saves in the contest, giving her an MIAA-best 60 this season.

The Bearcats will return home for another MIAA contest against Southwest Baptist on Friday. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. from Bearcat Pitch.

— Northwest Athletics —

St. Louis blows 2-run lead in ninth inning against Milwaukee

Posted on September 27, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jason Rogers feels right at home in the spoiler role.

The Milwaukee rookie hit a pinch-hit grand slam in the ninth inning off St. Louis closer Trevor Rosenthal to lift the Brewers to an 8-4 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday.

The Cardinals’ NL Central lead is three games over Pittsburgh. The Cardinals’ magic number for clinching the crown was cut to four after the Pirates lost to Chicago later Sunday.

St. Louis has lost two of three heading into a three-game showdown in Pittsburgh starting Monday.

“It’s always good to beat guys at the end and maybe try and ruin their season,” Rogers said. “It was special, a grand slam off a tough righty, one of the best in the game.”

Khris Davis homered twice and drove in four runs for the Brewers, who scored seven runs in the ninth.

“This was a great come-from-behind win,” Davis said. “We were all having fun out there. It was just a great feeling.”

All four Milwaukee batters reached safely against Rosenthal (2-4), who had converted 47 of 49 save opportunities. His last blown save came July 12 at Pittsburgh.

“I can’t explain how it happened,” Rosenthal said. “Everything felt fine. I tried to get in a groove and couldn’t quite get there. Just one of those days.”

Rogers, who is 13 of 48 as a pinch hitter, ripped his second pinch-hit homer of the season and first grand slam of his career.

Davis added a three-run homer later in the ninth off Seth Maness for an 8-3 lead.

“In the ninth, we just tried to give it our best chance with good at-bats,” Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. “Everything fell into place. Got some good pinch-hit efforts.”

David Goforth (1-0) picked up the win with one inning of relief.

Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 37th save in 39 chances. He retired Brandon Moss with two on to end the game.

Matt Carpenter and Stephen Piscotty hit back-to-back homers in the seventh to give the Cardinals a 3-1 lead.

Hernan Perez then started the Milwaukee ninth with a single. Martin Maldonado was hit by a pitch and Jonathan Lucroy walked to load the bases for Rogers.

St. Louis starter John Lackey allowed one run on five hits over seven innings for his 26th quality start in 32 outings this season.

“It’s one game, we can’t get too crazy about it,” Lackey said. “We’ve just got to play better on the road.”

Carpenter slammed a one-out home run off Jeremy Jeffress to break a 1-all tie. Piscotty followed with his seventh homer of the season.

Despite the loss, the St. Louis players realize they are still in the driver’s seat in the division race.

“Every loss has the same feeling, we’re not going to dwell on it,” Carpenter said. “We’ve got a chance to go out and win the division in the next few days. That’s all we can ask for.”

The Cardinals hit back-to-back homers for the third time this season.

Davis, who has a team-high 26 homers, gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead with a home run off Lackey in the second. Davis has three homers in 17 career at-bats against Lackey.

The Cardinals tied the game in the fourth on singles by Matt Adams and Kolten Wong and an RBI groundout by Tony Cruz.

CROWD CONTROL

The Cardinals recorded their 37th sellout of the season and finished with 3,520,889 in attendance, an average of 43,468 per game. It is the second-highest attendance in the majors behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: INF Carpenter returned to the lineup after leaving Saturday’s 5-1 win with tightness in his left hip.

UP NEXT

Brewers; RHP Jorge Lopez will make his major league debut on Tuesday in the first of a three-game series in San Diego. He will be opposed by RHP Tyson Ross (10-11, 3.17).

Cardinals: RHP Lance Lynn (12-10, 3.16) faces LHP J.A. Happ (10-8, 3.88) on Monday in the first of a crucial three-game series in Pittsburgh.

— Associated Press —

Griffons use big second half to roll past Lindenwood 34-14

Posted on September 26, 2015

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western football team scored 31 unanswered points Saturday as they rallied to defeat Lindenwood inside Spratt Stadium 34-14. The win is the third straight for the Griffons as they improve to 3-1 on the season.

Missouri Western fell behind 14-3 and trailed 14-6 at the half. The Griffons also had to punt on the opening drive of the second half and then the MWSU defense took over the game.

Donte Watkins picked off Lindenwood quarterback Jesse Scoggins on the Lions’ third play of the second half. The interception set up a 57-yard touchdown pass from TJ LaFaver to DiJuan Ussery on the first play of the ensuing drive. The point after attempt would be missed by Tanner Pettet, one of three PAT misses for the freshman in the game.

The Griffons took their first lead of the game with 2:36 to go in the third quarter on a three-yard touchdown run by Josh Caldwell. On the drive, Ussery had a 55-yard catch and Caldwell had a 25-yard run. On the fourth play of LIndenwood’s next drive the Griffon defense did it again as Yomi Alli picked up a Scroggins fumble and ran it 44 yards for a touchdown that gave MWSU a 25-14 lead.

Petted added a 29-yard field goal and Raphael Spencer scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 5:27 left to ice it for the Griffons. Spencer moved into second on the all-time rushing list at MWSU in the first half. He finished with 120 yards rushing on 26 carries with a touchdown.

MWSU outgained Lindenwood 532-231, holding the Lions to just 34 yards in the second half. Missouri Western rushed for 253 yards and held Lindenwood to 90. LaFaver was 18-28 for 279 yards passing with one touchdown and no interceptions, starting for the injured Skyler Windmiller. Ussery caught five passes for 151 yards and a touchdown; the second 150-plus yard receiver this year for the Griffons. Missouri Western sacked Scroggins six times and held him to 131 yards passing and 20 yards rushing.

Next week the Griffons visit No. 15 Pittsburg State for a 2 p.m. kick.

— MWSU Athletics —

Ravens upset No. 3 Baker Saturday 35-32

Posted on September 26, 2015September 26, 2015

Defensively, the Benedictine football team held No. 3 Baker University to 0-3 on third-down conversions in the fourth quarter, with the final time setting up what proved to be the game-winning touchdown drive.

Benedictine (3-2) forced Baker (4-1) to punt with 4:37 remaining in the game and then took the ball 84 yards on eight plays to score on a one-yard run by Ricardo Rodriquez with just over one minute left in the game to pull ahead 35-31.

Baker moved the ball 40 yards on six plays in just over a minute before the drive was halted with seven seconds in the game as Benedictine’s Shane Baumann intercepted Baker’s Nick Marra to seal the win for the Ravens.

The Ravens outscored the Wildcats 25-10 as the passed for 174 yards off 11 completions and picked up their fourth interception return for a touchdown this season.

The two teams combined for 21 first-quarter points with Marra throwing two touchdown passes of nine yards and 16 yards while Benedictine’s Jake Koester threw a touchdown pass of 47 yards.

Only 10 points were scored in the third quarter with Baker’s Adonis Powell converting on a 28-yard rush and Benedictine’s Andrew Zubia converting on a 41-yard field goal to send the game into halftime with Baker on top 21-10.

Zubia converted on his second field goal to start off the third quarter for the Ravens, converting from 43 yards out. That field goal was followed up by a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown by Kenny Hersberger.

Koester found Nate Nicholson for the two-point conversion to pull the game even at 21.

Marra and Koester exchanged touchdown passes late in the third quarter, Marra on a 37-yard pass and Koester on a 56-yard pass to sent the game into the fourth quarter tied.

The converted on 6 of 8 third-down conversions through the first three quarters of play before Benedictine’s defense held them in the final 15 minutes of play.

Abram Garcia converted on a 41-yard field goal to give the Wildcats back the lead with 12:30 left in the game but would be the final points Baker would manage as the Ravens went up for good on the Rodriquez rush with 1:13 remaining.

Benedictine finished with 382 yards of total offense – 274 through the air for Koester and 108 on the ground. Baker wracked up 564 yards of total offense but couldn’t overcome four interceptions and a fumble.

Christian Haack led the Raven receivers with 132 yards off nine catches for two touchdowns.

Defensively, Tyler Thrasher led the Ravens with 10 tackles while Dre Graves and Chandler Staley each added eight. Burl Brisbane and Staley added two more interceptions to go along with Hersberger’s and Baumann’s.

Benedictine travels to Fayette, Mo., for a 6 p.m. game against Central Methodist University next Saturday as they wrap up Heart cross-divisional play.

— BC Athletics —