Sports – Page 586 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Mustangs’ 2015 attendance among the nations best

Posted on August 14, 2015August 14, 2015

The 2015 season saw plenty of Family Fun at Phil Welch Stadium – from Minions, Captain America, Sluggerrr, a dog show, numerous fireworks shows, a championship winning team and the awards are still coming in.

St. Joseph Mustang fans have filled Phil Welch Stadium again, at a record mark in 2015, capping off another MINK League Title and top ten finish at the NBC World Series.

The 2015 season featured numerous large attendance nights- 5,175 on June 6th, for the second largest crowd in Mustangs history, and 4,807 on July 3rd, the third largest crowd in Mustangs history.

The Mustangs finished the season with a per game attendance record breaking average of 2,356 fans- up from 2,289 fans in 2014. According to BallParkBiz.com and Ballpark Digest, the Mustangs again placed in the top ten nationally, checking in at number seven.

The Mustangs also placed eighth nationally in 2015 Summer Collegiate Attendance by total, according to Ballpark Digest.

“This is just more evidence of what we already knew,” said Mustangs General Manager Ky Turner. “We have the best fans in the country. If you’re looking for one of the top reasons for our success, look no further than those people in the stands. We’re growing each year, and the fans have provided an electric atmosphere for our players. Thank you St. Joe for choosing us as your destination for summer family fun.”

Having completed their seventh season at Phil Welch, the team has had six top ten national attendance rankings and four MINK League Championships.

— Mustangs Press Release —

Garcia, Carpenter lead Cardinals past Miami in series opener

Posted on August 14, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jaime Garcia pitched shutout ball into the ninth inning and Matt Carpenter homered, leading the St. Louis Cardinals over the Miami Marlins 3-1 Friday night.

Garcia (5-4) came within two outs of throwing the first complete game of the season for the NL Central leaders. He gave up six singles, walked one and struck out six.

Trevor Rosenthal got his 36th save in 38 chances.

Carpenter’s bunt single broke a scoreless tie in the fifth. He hit a solo home run in the eighth.

Tom Koehler (8-10) took the loss and Miami’s three-game winning streak ended.

Ichiro Suzuki singled in the Miami fifth for his 2,913th hit in the major leagues. Combined with 1,278 hits in Japan, he equaled Ty Cobb’s total of 4,191. Cobb held the big league mark that Pete Rose eventually passed on his way to a record 4,256 hits.

— Associated Press —

Mizzou baseball adds J.C. Field as volunteer assistant

Posted on August 14, 2015August 14, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball head coach Tim Jamieson has announced the hiring of J.C. Field, a Mizzou standout from 2005-06, as the program’s volunteer assistant coach. Field is an up-and-coming coach with a résumé that includes coaching stints at North Dakota and Southeast Missouri. He joins Mizzou after spending the last seven seasons at North Dakota, including the last two as the program’s associate head coach. At UND, Field oversaw the team’s hitters, catchers and outfielders while leading the team’s west coast recruiting efforts.

“We are thrilled to have J.C. back at Mizzou,” Jamieson said. “He embodies the characteristics that we feel are important to our success here at Mizzou. I know he has a great passion for our program and everything that we stand for. He is a tireless worker and was a tough competitor for us who played on two NCAA Regional teams here. I know he will bring those attributes to our coaching staff. He is a guy who has worked his way up the coaching ranks after a great playing career and is someone who our players can look up to and learn a lot from.”

“I am really looking forward to coming back to Mizzou,” Field said. “It’s a place that has been very special to me. Over the years, I have stayed close to Coach J, Evan Pratte and Hunter Mense, and always hoped that I would have the opportunity to come back and work with those guys. It is an unbelievable opportunity to come back. I’ve seen where the program has been and where it’s going and I am excited to be a part of that and continue the winning tradition that has been built under Coach J. I also want to thank to Coach Jeff Dodson at North Dakota for giving me a start to my coaching career. I am extremely thankful for everything he has done and the opportunity that he gave me – I wouldn’t be here today without it.”

Field began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at SEMO in 2008, where he also coached with Dodson, who was the program’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.

Field, a 2006 graduate of the University of Missouri with an emphasis in sport management, communications and sociology, had a successful stint as UND’s assistant coach from 2009-13 and associate head coach from 2013-15. As the team’s hitting coach in 2013, UND led the Great West Conference in hitting and runs. He guided catcher Taylor Peterson to a pair of all-conference honors and the backstop led the team in nearly every category as a senior in 2014.

Field helped guide UND to a 16-win season in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play and a fourth-place finish in 2015. He had three players notch a .300 average or better, highlighted by Tyler Follis’ .405 clip, which ranked seventh nationally. Follis also set the school record for hits (74) in 2012 under Field’s guidance.

Also under his tutelage, senior Jeff Campbell hit .365 with 11 homers and 48 RBI, last season. Campbell won the 2015 College Baseball Home Run Derby at TD Ameritrade Park on July 2 and was a first team All-WAC pick. Campbell, who was coached by Field all four years at UND, finished in the program’s top five all-time in homers, doubles, RBIs and total bases. Campbell was a Freshman All-American in 2012.

In his two seasons at Mizzou, Field helped guide the Tigers to an NCAA Regional in 2005 and a Super Regional in 2006, catching the likes of major leaguers Max Scherzer and Doug Mathis. He started 96 games in his two years as a Tiger and earned All-Malibu Regional honors in the 2006 NCAA Tournament, helping Mizzou become the first ever No. 4 seed to win an NCAA Regional.

A native of Tucson, Arizona, Field also played two years at Pima Community College, earning all-conference honors as a catcher while receiving an associate’s degree in liberal arts in 2004. He also caught Major Leaguers Jamie Vermilyea and Tim Wood while playing there. Following his collegiate days, he played with the Evansville Otters in the Frontier League.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Royals blow four-run lead and lose to Angels 7-6

Posted on August 13, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — C.J. Cron and Kole Calhoun each drove in a pair of runs in the ninth inning Thursday night, rallying the Los Angeles Angels past Kansas City and its stout bullpen for a 7-6 victory and an end to their seven-game skid against the Royals.

Kansas City had built a 5-1 advantage heading to the eighth, but All-Star reliever Wade Davis coughed up two runs in his first appearance since Aug. 6, when a stiff back put him on the shelf.

Greg Holland (3-1) entered in the ninth and gave up a leadoff single, a walk and threw a wild pitch. Cron followed with a pinch-hit double to tie the game, and after Johnny Giavotella singled, Calhoun added his go-ahead double into the right-field corner.

Holland then walked Mike Trout before he was finally pulled. The former All-Star closer allowed four runs and four hits and a pair of walks without retiring a batter.

Huston Street gave up Eric Hosmer’s solo shot in the ninth before getting Alex Rios to fly out with runners on first and second to end the game. Street earned his 27th save with Albert Pujols — because of pinch hitters and substitutions — forced to play third base for the second time this season and only the 12th time since 2002.

Jose Alvarez (3-3) tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win.

The Royals’ stunning bullpen meltdown squandered a nice bounce-back start by Jeremy Guthrie, who allowed two runs and three walks over six innings. The veteran had been dinged for at least 10 hits in each of his past three outings, putting his spot in the rotation in question.

Garrett Richards allowed three runs and eight hits and two walks for Los Angles.

Rios, Lorenzo Cain and Drew Butera drove in runs off Richards early in the game, and Hosmer and Kendrys Morales appeared to put it out of reach when they touched up the Angels bullpen.

Then, an offense that had been sputtering came to life.

Trout, Conor Gillaspie and David Murphy also drove in runs for Los Angeles, which had managed four runs total in a three-game sweep by the White Sox to start its road trip.

The victory snapped the Angels’ nine-game losing streak away from home.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: LHP C.J. Wilson will have season-ending surgery to remove bone spurs. He hopes it allows him to be ready by spring training. … SS Erick Aybar was a late scratch with tightness in his lower back. Taylor Featherston replaced him.

Royals: LF Alex Gordon (strained groin) hopes to begin a rehab assignment soon. He’s been taking regular batting practice and shagged fly balls in the outfield earlier this week.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Jered Weaver makes his second start since returning from the DL. He allowed two earned runs and four hits in five innings against Baltimore on Sunday.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy allowed three runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings before getting yanked from his previous start Sunday against the White Sox.

— Associated Press —

Griffons picked fifth in preseason MIAA volleyball poll

Posted on August 13, 2015

ST. JOSEPH – Coming off a memorable, turnaround season in 2014, the Missouri Western volleyball team has been picked fifth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

In her second season at the helm, Marian Carbin led the program to its most ever MIAA wins in a season (16) and most overall wins (22) since 1998. This year’s team features two first team All-MIAA selections and an honorable mention All-MIAA pick from 2014. Jessie Thorup finished the year just two kills shy of the team lead behind All-American Erica Rottinghaus. Last year Thorup led the team with a .286 attack percentage and averaged 3.6 kills per set. Jordan Chohon racked up 1,296 assists last year, averaging close to 12 per set. Thorup and Chohon were both named first team All-MIAA. Carbin expects the core of returning players to help set the tone for several newcomers, who will be expected to contribute. Last season, MWSU went 22-8 overall and 16-6 in the MIAA, finishing fifth in the league.

2015 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (9) 119
2. Washburn (2) 108
3. Nebraska-Kearney (1)   98
4. Central Oklahoma   95
5. Missouri Western   84
6. Northwest Missouri   66
7. Emporia State   64
8. Fort Hays State   46
9. Pittsburg State   39
10. Southwest Baptist   27
11. Missouri Southern   25
12. Lindenwood   21

— MWSU Athletics —

Lynn gets knocked out in 1st inning as St. Louis falls to Pittsburgh

Posted on August 13, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Pedro Alvarez homered in a seven-run first inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates broke an eight-game losing streak at Busch Stadium, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 10-5 Thursday night.

The Pirates moved within six games of the first-place Cardinals in the NL Central with their 12th victory in the last 18 games.

St. Louis, which won the first two games in the series, has won the last seven sets between the teams at Busch Stadium.

Alvarez and Neil Walker each three hits as the Pirates held on. The Cardinals closed their seven-run deficit to 7-5 in the seventh.

Francisco Liriano (8-6) pitched six innings and gave up three runs and six hits.

Lance Lynn (9-7) got just two outs in the shortest of his 119 career starts. He gave up six runs, and four of the runs were unearned after a throwing error by third baseman Matt Carpenter.

Walker started the outburst with a triple and Andrew McCutchen doubled. Jung Ho Kang reached on the error and Alvarez followed with his 17th home run of the season, a two-run drive to center.

Liriano and Gregory Polanco added RBI singles that finished Lynn, and Walker capped it by singling home a run.

The Cardinals got a two-run single from Yadier Molina in the bottom half.

Jhonny Peralta cut the deficit to 7-4 with a run-scoring hit in the seventh off reliever Joakim Soria. Molina’s sacrifice fly brought the Cardinals to within 7-5.

Walker hit an RBI double during a three-run ninth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: OF Starling Marte did not start and is listed as day-to-day with a left hand contusion. He entered the game as a pinch-runner in the ninth and played the field in the bottom of the inning. Marte injured the hand on a swing in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss. He started Wednesday’s game but was taken out in the third inning.

UP NEXT

Pirates: LHP J.A. Happ (0-1, 8.31) will take on RHP Bartolo Colon (10-11, 4.76) in the first of a three-game series against the Mets in New York on Friday. Happ is making his second start of the season for the Pirates after being acquired from Seattle on July 31.

Cardinals: LHP Jaime Garcia (4-4, 1.77) kicks off a three-game home series against Miami on Friday. He will be opposed by RHP Tom Koehler (8-9. 3.75). Garcia tossed seven shutout innings in a 3-0 win on Saturday at Milwaukee.

— Associated Press —

Five Cornhuskers suspended for violating team rules

Posted on August 13, 2015August 14, 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Five Nebraska players have been suspended for the Sept. 5 opener against BYU for violating team rules.

Coach Mike Riley announced the suspensions after practice Thursday night. He said he wouldn’t name the suspended players at this time but might by the week of the opener. He said “it will become obvious as the kickoff occurs.”

Riley also announced that receiver Sam Burtch and cornerback Chris Jones had knee surgeries this week. No timetable is set for their returns. He also said running back Jordan Stevenson didn’t practice because of a bad ankle.

Riley also announced that Givens Price has moved from the offensive line to defensive tackle and backup tight end Jared Blum is transferring to South Dakota State.

KC blows 8th inning lead, loses to Detroit 7-4

Posted on August 12, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ian Kinsler doubled home two runs and the Detroit Tigers batted around in a four-run eighth inning to beat the Kansas City Royals 7-4 on Wednesday night.

The loss snapped the Royals’ eight-game home winning streak, their longest since winning their first 11 games in 2003 at Kauffman Stadium.

Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez (11-7) had retired 13 straight batters entering the eighth, which James McCann led off with a single. Volquez walked Anthony Gose, and Jose Iglesias had an infield single to load the bases with none out.

Kinsler doubled down the left field line to score McCann and Gose to finish Volquez’s night. J.D. Martinez’s single scored Iglesias. Kinsler scored on Tyler Collins’ fielder’s choice grounder as Detroit sent 10 to the plate in the inning.

Volquez, who had given up three or fewer runs in his previous seven starts, was charged with six runs, five earned, on eight hits over seven-plus innings.

Neftali Feliz (2-3), the former Texas Rangers closer, picked up the victory, retiring all three batters he faced. Bruce Rondon worked the ninth to log his second save in as many chances.

Victor Martinez drove in two of the Tigers runs with a sacrifice fly in the first and a double in the ninth.

Lorenzo Cain had two of the Royals hits, including a double, and scored a run. He is 11 for 19 (.579 average) on this homestand. Four of the Royals’ six hits went for extra bases, including an Alcides Escobar RBI triple in the third. Escobar scored on the play on Iglesias’ throwing error.

Tigers’ rookie left-hander Daniel Norris, who was acquired from Toronto in the David Price trade, permitted four runs on six hits in 6 1-3 innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: 1B Miguel Cabrera (left calf strain) took batting practice, fielded ground balls at first base and ran the bases. If all goes well, Cabrera should come off the disabled list Friday at Houston.

Royals: C Salvador Perez (sore left wrist) had an MRI Wednesday, which manager Ned Yost said came back clean, but Perez was held out Wednesday and likely won’t play Thursday. ”He’s got a little fluid in his joint and a little bit of a bone bruise,” Yost said. . RHP Wade Davis, who has missed the past six games with back stiffness, threw a bullpen session Wednesday and could be available Thursday.

— Associated Press —

Wacha wins 14th, Cardinals beat Pirates 4-2

Posted on August 12, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Yadier Molina has been guiding the St. Louis Cardinals’ pitching staff all season. The All-Star catcher played a big role in this one, helping Michael Wacha get his 14th win.

”Everyone knows about what he does behind the plate,” Wacha said after a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. ”He was all over the place, big knocks, stealing bags – it was a lot of fun to watch.”

Molina tripled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning when right fielder Gregory Polanco missed an attempted shoe-top catch. He also threw out Polanco attempting to steal from his knees in the first and stole his second base of the season after doubling in the eighth when the Cardinals won an appeal to have the call overturned.

”We love his aggressiveness,” manager Mike Matheny said. ”Yadi’s coming out of the box and he sees what happens and he’s thinking three.

”He’s opportunistic on the bases. He’s got guts.”

As for Polanco, there was a spanking to be absorbed.

”You’d have liked to be able to keep that ball in front of you,” manager Clint Hurdle said. ”At that point in time of game, runner on first in that situation you’re going to be first and second. ”

The anticipated marquee pitching matchup between Wacha (14-4) and Gerrit Cole (14-6) didn’t live up to expectations, as both were gone by the seventh inning. Seattle’s Felix Hernandez also has 14 wins.

”I felt really good out there,” Wacha said. ”I just wanted to keep pumping strikes.”

”The fastball location was sub-par,” Cole said. ”It hasn’t been the easiest few starts.”

St. Louis gave up an easy run, too, when center fielder Randal Grichuk badly misplayed an attempted diving catch on Andrew McCutchen’s RBI triple that tied it at 2 in the fifth. Grichuk landed early and bounced as the ball rolled past him to the wall.
View gallery
Wacha wins 14th, Cardinals beat Pirates 4-2
St. Louis Cardinals’ Yadier Molina gestures toward his bench after hitting an RBI triple during …

Kevin Siegrist worked two perfect innings and Trevor Rosenthal finished for his 35th save in 37 chances.

The Cardinals lead the second-place Pirates by seven games and will attempt to complete a three-game sweep on Thursday night. St. Louis improved to a season-best 33 games above .500 at 73-40.

McCutchen hit his 18th homer and Polanco had three hits for the second straight game for the Pirates, who are 0-5 in St. Louis and 5-2 against the Cardinals at home. The first four losses at Busch Stadium were all by one run.

Wacha scattered nine hits and three walks in six innings, allowing two runs. Pittsburgh left the bases loaded in the fourth and stranded two in the fifth and sixth.

Cole gave up three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings and is 0-2 in three starts this month while totaling 16 1/3 innings. A throwing error by second baseman Neil Walker on a potential double-play ball by Jason Heyward in the third handcuffed first baseman Pedro Alvarez on a short hop and led to the Cardinals’ first two runs.
View gallery
Wacha wins 14th, Cardinals beat Pirates 4-2
St. Louis Cardinals’ Yadier Molina tosses the bat after hitting an RBI triple in the sixth innin …

HEAD TO HEAD

Wacha is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three starts against Pittsburgh. Cole has lost three straight starts on the road after winning the previous three and is 0-2 with a 3.80 ERA against the Cardinals in four starts this season.

NICE BAT

Polanco had six straight hits, tying the franchise best this season, followed by an intentional walk in the sixth before flying out to open the ninth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: Starling Marte was removed before the bottom of the third because of discomfort in his left hand from fouling off a ball in the first.

Cardinals: GM John Mozeliak is hopeful Matt Adams (quad surgery) can go on a rehab assignment before the end of the minor league season. Adams has been cleared to swing.

UP NEXT

Pirates: Francisco Liriano (7-6, 3.13) has a 2.53 ERA in his last 13 starts but is just 6-2 during that stretch.

Cardinals: Lance Lynn (9-6, 2.76) has been dominant at home with six wins and a 2.15 ERA.

— Associated Press —

Mizzou women’s basketball announces staff restructuring

Posted on August 12, 2015August 12, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball head coach Robin Pingeton announced staff updates on Wednesday. RaeShara Brown has been named an assistant coach, while Willie Cox has transitioned into the role of director of recruiting.

“A lot of thought and conversation went into these moves within my staff,” Pingeton said. “We are constantly evaluating everything we do within our program. I believe these new roles and responsibilities align with RaeShara and Willie’s strengths individually and within our program.”

Brown, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, spent the past season as the director of recruiting and player development, where she played a crucial role in the program’s day-to-day operations. Prior to that, she was a graduate assistant for the Tigers from 2012-14 and has been instrumental in marketing and social media initiatives for the program.

“Coach Brown was an incredible player for us at Mizzou and has since served in a variety of roles within our program,” Pingeton said. “She is very driven, passionate and knowledgeable. She has an outstanding basketball IQ and truly understands what it takes to be successful at this level. There is no doubt in my mind that she will do an outstanding job on the recruiting trail as well.”

A mainstay in the Mizzou backcourt from 2007-11, Brown appeared in every game she was eligible for while wearing a Tigers uniform. She was a 3-year starter and opened all 31 games as a junior and senior. Following her senior season, Brown was named second-team All-Big 12 with an average of 16.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. She earned honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition as a sophomore and is the program’s all-time steals leader with 273 during her career. Brown received a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Mizzou in 2011 and a master’s in educational psychology in 2014.

Cox has served as the recruiting coordinator for the Mizzou coaching staff since Pingeton arrived prior to the 2010-11 season. His vast experience and networking capabilities have played a large part in recruiting efforts during the revitalization of the program over the past five seasons. Prior to moving to Columbia, Cox was an assistant coach at Illinois State from 2003-10 under Pingeton, and he also was previously the head coach at Peoria (Ill.) Central High School.

“I have worked with Willie for over 12 years,” Pingeton said. “I don’t know that you can find someone that is more loyal. Willie adds so much value, experience and knowledge to our staff. As our program has grown, the need for a director of basketball recruiting has become apparent. I believe Willie is going to do an incredible job for us in this position.”

— Mizzou Athletics —