April 22, 2008

Northwest Mo. Rallies to Beat Baseball in Ten

Bearcats Turn Four Double Plays

       Kearney, Neb. - Junior outfielder Chris Benham started a two out, two run rally in the ninth inning and hit a two out, two run single in the 10^th inning to lift the NW Missouri State baseball team to a 6-4 win over Nebraska-Kearney Tuesday night at Memorial Field.

      The Bearcats (23-20) stop a six-game losing streak in the process while the Lopers (24-22) fall to 3-2 in extra inning games this year.

      Loper closer Jeff Foster (Ranger, Texas) came on to pitch the ninth inning with a 4-2 lead. After retiring the first two batters, the speedy Benham (team-high 21 steals) just got to first base after hitting a ground ball to short.

      Number nine hitter Jake Bradshaw followed with a pop up to center that the Lopers couldn't corral. The next two Bearcats would then work Foster to a 3-2 count. Ryan Bledsoe (2 for 4, two RBI's) walked to load the bases and then Ben Malick (2 for 4) tied the game with a sharp single to left center.

      UNK had a golden opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the ninth as redshirt freshman Jason Trulin (2 for 3) was hit by a pitch and then reached third on a double to right from senior Chris Gillaspy (3 for 4).

      However, after Northwest intentionally walked Arizona senior Tyler Keeble, the 'Cats turned their fourth double play of the game to end the threat.

      In the tenth, Benham came up with two outs and runners at second and third. With two strikes, the lefty stroked a single to center to provide the winning margin. 

      The Lopers got a double from Gretna senior Joe Nowaczyk in the bottom of the tenth but Northwest relief pitcher Evan Nickell allowed nothing else to win for the third time in 2008.

      The Bearcats also got a strong outing from Ben Briant (4.0 IP, three hits, no runs) out of the pen.

      Early on, UNK had four hits and scored three times in the first inning. Senior Trey Howell (Antonito, Colo.) hit a two-run homer to left, his third dinger of the year, and then junior Leon de Winter (2 for 4) hit a two out single to bring home sophomore Blake Cover (3 for 5).

      The Lopers other run came in the fourth when Trulin hit his second homer as a Loper. Finally, Blair sophomore Ryan Seefus, trying for another win against his old team, allowed one run in 5.1 innings.

      UNK hosts Regis University this weekend.  Pictured below are Cover-Gillaspy.