BOX SCORE (PDF)

JOPLIN, Missouri - The Northwest Missouri State University baseball squad secured a 6-2 win over the University of Missouri-St. Louis in its opening game of the MIAA/GLVC Crossover.

Through the first two innings, the matchup between the Bearcats and Tritons was quiet. In the top of the third however, UMSL struck first after freshman Mitchel Becher hit a solo home run in his first collegiate at bat.

The Bearcats got on the scoreboard next in the bottom of the third inning, initiated by a leadoff single from senior outfielder Derek Hussey. Hussey scored after senior catcher Jay Hrdlicka knocked an RBI double to left-center field. Five more Bearcats scored during the inning in large part due to small ball and good base running.

Although Northwest took a comfortable lead over UMSL in the bottom of the third, the Bearcats left three runners stranded on base when junior first baseman Conner Quick grounded out to second to record the final out of the inning. Northwest scored six runs on five hits and took advantage of one UMSL error.

After the Bearcat offense opened up a five-run advantage, starting pitcher Quintin Van Ackeren was dealing. Van Ackeren went 6 1/3 innings and struck out 10, while allowing four hits and two earned runs.

Senior relief pitcher Jarret Cronin came into the game to secure the final two outs of the sixth inning and did his job without allowing a hit.

Junior pitcher Ethan Griswold took care of the final six outs by allowing only one hit in the final two innings of play.

Northwest improves to 3-5 on the season, while UMSL drops to 0-1.

NOTES: Van Ackeren got his first win of the season (1-0)…Hussey had three base hits – his fourth multi-hit game of the year…Mondesi Gutierrez, Hussey, Hrdlicka and Quick extended their on-base streaks to eight games.