The 2023 Northwest Missouri State University baseball season has faced weather-related changes even before the Bearcats can even open up play this weekend in Arkansas. 
  
Northwest was slated to open the season Thursday in Hot Springs, Ark., at the Dugan Invitational set at Majestic Park. However, winter weather changed those plans. 

The Bearcats will open play Friday at Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Ark., at 2 p.m. Northwest will then play Saturday in Hot Springs, Ark., at Majestic Park at 1 p.m. vs. No. 2-ranked Southern Arkansas, followed by a doubleheader on Sunday also in Hot Springs, Ark., vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State at 10 a.m. and East Central at 1 p.m. 

Friday, Feb. 3 

Northwest Missouri State at Henderson State (Arkadelphia, Ark.) 2 p.m. | Live Stats 

Saturday, Feb 4  

Northwest Missouri State vs. #2 Southern Arkansas (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1 p.m. | Live Stats 

Sunday, Feb 5 

Northwest Missouri vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State (Hot Springs, Ark.) 10 a.m. | Live Stats 

Northwest Missouri vs. East Central (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1 p.m. | Live Stats 

BEARCATS LED BY DARIN LOE 

Northwest will be under the direction of head coach Darin Loe. Loe has been the Bearcat manager since 2000 and the 2023 season will be his 29th year as a collegiate manager. Loe has posted 714 career wins, including 558 at Northwest. Loe notched his 700th career win last season defeating Missouri Southern on March 5. Loe is assisted by Mike Creason.  

BEARCATS RETURN EXPERIENCE ON PITCHING STAFF 

Northwest returns some key pitchers from last year's pitching staff including all three starters that were featured in the weekend rotation. 

The staff is led by reigning all-MIAA first-team honoree and 2023 Preseason NCBWA All-Central Region Team member Max Spitzmiller. In 2022, the senior from St. Charles, Mo., ranked No. 2 in the nation with seven complete games and was No. 2 in the MIAA in Strikeouts (93). Spitzmiller also was No. 2 in the MIAA in innings pitched (101.0) and WHIP (1.02). He went 6-7 and walked only 19 batters, while the opposition posted a .220 batting average against him. Entering 2023, Spitzmiller ranked No. 14 in the nation and No. 5 in program history in innings pitched (253.1), No. 4 in program history in strikeouts (224) and tied for No. 5 in program history in complete games (9). 

Zach Wiese and Alex Slocum return after being featured as weekend starters in 2022. Last year, Wiese made 13 appearances, all starts and struck out 53 hitters, posted a 1.56 WHIP in 60.1 innings of work. Alex Slocum, an honorable mention all-MIAA honoree in 2022, returns after recording 60.2 innings in 15 appearances and nine starts. Slocum struck out 53 hitters and recorded a WHIP of 1.35 in 2022. 

Northwest also returns some pieces from the bullpen with Jacob Gajic and Alexander Lovin. Gajic was an honorable mention all-MIAA honoree in 2022 while posting a team best 2.18 ERA in 23 relief appearances and 45.1 innings of work. Gajic struck out 46 batters while rendering a .221 opponents' batting average and recorded 5 saves which was fifth-best in the MIAA. Lovin returns after 19 appearances out of the pen in 2022 where he struck out 27 in 32.2 innings of work. 

BEARCATS LOOK TO YOUNG HITTERS 

Senior outfielder Ryan Koski and junior catcher Caden Diel will look to lead a young Bearcat lineup in 2023. Only three hitters on this year's roster return with 100 or more at bats in 2022. Those players are Koski, Diel and sophomore Ryan Williams.  

Ryan Koski, an honorable mention all-MIAA honoree last season, slashed .262 on 145 at-bats, he drove in 32 runs and had a team-high 37 walks. 

Caden Diel slashed .291 in 117 at-bats, he drove in 14 runs and only struck out a total of 14 times. 

Ryan Williams hit .234 on 128 at-bats, Williams hit 5 home runs and tallied a .441 slugging percentage. 

Sophomore infielder Jake Emhardt was called upon at times in 2022 and produced a team-best .358 batting average in 53 at-bats, Emhardt posted an OPS of 1.004 and a .604 slugging percentage. 

The MIAA announced its 2023 Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll. Defending MIAA champions Central Missouri was selected first in the poll for the fourth consecutive season. 

Northwest was tabbed eighth receiving 45 points  

MIAA conference play will open up on Friday, Feb. 24. To see the complete schedule for all MIAA teams, click here 
 

Below is the complete 2023 MIAA Baseball Preseason Poll. 

2023 MIAA Baseball Preseason Poll 
1. Central Missouri [11] – 121 Points 
2. Pittsburg State – 100 Points  
3. Northeastern State [1] – 97 Points 
4. Central Oklahoma – 94 Points  
5. Washburn – 85 Points 
6. Missouri Southern – 77 Points 
7. Rogers State – 60 Points 
8. Northwest Missouri State – 45 Points 
9. Emporia State – 43 Points 
10. Newman – 33 Points 
11. Missouri Western – 26 Points 
12. Fort Hays State – 11 Points