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By David Boyce

MARYVILLE, Mo. - In the final home game of the season last week, Northwest Missouri State sophomore first baseman Kaitlyn Weis stepped to the plate in the fifth inning with the Bearcats trailing 3-1.
 
With seven seniors on the roster, Weis wanted to do her part to help them go out as winners on senior day. Their leadership and drive have helped the Bearcats become one of the top programs in the MIAA.
 
Northwest enters its final two doubleheaders Thursday and Friday at Emporia State and at Washburn in second place behind only Washburn.
 
"It helps a lot because we have great leaders on the field," Weis said of playing with a large senior class. "They expect me to be better. They expect the team to be better. They expect a lot out of me, and I expect a lot out of them. I try to live up to their expectations."
 
In a pressure situation, Weis did what she has done since the day she stepped on campus in the fall of 2016 from Gretna, Neb. Weis socked a two-run homer that tied the game at 3-3. It was her 13^th homer of the season. She hit her 12^th in the first game of the doubleheader, an 8-0 victory.
 
The Tigers proved to be scrappier in the second game. Fort Hays went back in front 5-3 in the top of the sixth. Once again, a Northwest player slammed a clutch, two-run homer to tie the game at 5-5. This one came from junior Kiana Baderdeen.
 
Northwest won the game in the seventh in walk-off fashion on a single by Sydne Brashear. The win lifted the Bearcats to 16-6 and second place in the MIAA and 25-13 overall.
 
"It was definitely something I wanted for them," Weis said of the doubleheader sweep on senior day. "I play for them every day. I try to do my best because it is their last year playing. It was exciting that we won both games because we did it for each other."
 
It was the fourth straight win by Northwest, three of which were by one-run.
 
"It definitely helps our confidence," Weis said. "We rely on each other. We know we can rely on the hitter when you are on the base or when you are in the dugout. It is a trust thing for sure. We know we can rely on each other."
 
Northwest coach Ryan Anderson concurred that this is a good sign for the team as it gears up for the MIAA Tournament April 26-28 in Oklahoma City.
 
"Three times they took a lead on us and we came back each time and won the game," Anderson said about the final home game. "It was good to see us swinging the bats. We didn't get down. We kept fighting. It was huge, especially knowing they were walk-off wins. We were down and had to find a way to score."
 
"It is great going into the conference tournament knowing that your team found ways to fight back and produce when they have to."
 
Weis is one player Anderson can count on to deliver a big hit or home run. As a freshman, Weis hit .359 with 10 home runs and 16 doubles. Those numbers helped her earn second team All-MIAA.
 
"I brought her in knowing she could hit," Anderson said. "Coming in it was more a question of defensively where am I going to put her. Last year as a freshman, we had a ton of returners and we just had to find a spot for her. This year she has played well for us. It was more defensively finding the right fit."
 
Playing first base is working well for Weis. She is hitting .395 with 13 home runs. Her 45 runs batted in are only three shy of matching last year's total.
 
Her offensive production is surprising her some this year. She figured she might have some success as a freshmen because most of the teams in the MIAA didn't know about her. But there is a book on her now, although it looks like there might need to be a rewrite.
 
"This is an adjustment year," Weis said. "You are supposed to not do as well because they have a book on you. I've been working really hard on my swing. I am getting better."
 
Hitting a home run over the fence is fun for any player at any level. Weis likes the fact her home runs helps the team.
 
"The fact it is affecting my team pretty much gives me a thrill and the adrenaline to keep doing better," Weis said.
 
The Bearcats want to make a strong surge the final two weeks of April and make a push for a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament. Injuries derailed Northwest from making a second straight trip last season.
 
"I want to see us fight with an attitude of wanting it as much as everyone else," Weis said. "We have been struggling with up and down. Hopefully, we can stay on that steady high path where keep that motivation and will to keep winning."
 
When Weis isn't playing softball, she is studying. She is majoring in middle school math. She wants to be a middle school teacher and a softball coach.
 
"I enjoy being a student-athlete here because I am always busy," Weis said. "I don't know what I would do without softball and without school. It has been pretty hard. You have to adjust, just like in the game, you have to adjust.
 
"I enjoy meeting people and being a part of the Northwest atmosphere."