MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team (2-3 overall) exploded for seven runs in the ninth inning to secure an 11-5 comeback win over Christian Brothers University in game one of the weekend series at Nadicksbernd Field. 

Christian Brothers (3-1 overall) rallied with five unanswered runs before Northwest erupted for seven runs on four hits in the ninth inning, sealing the victory. Alex Bowers, Ashton Neuman, and Dylan Hufft each drove in two RBIs, contributing to the Bearcats' 11-run performance on eight hits. 

Junior Brock Steggall (1-0) earned his first win of the season after pitching the final three innings, allowing just one hit while holding the Bucs scoreless and striking out three.

Bowers worked a lead-off walk to begin the game before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Northwest put runners on second and third after Neuman worked another walk. 

Hufft put the Bearcats on the board early with a sacrifice fly, scoring Bowers from third. Northwest led 1-0 after the top half of the first.

Bearcat starter George Fisher worked out of an early two-out jam in the bottom half, keeping the Buccaneers off the scoreboard. 

After a lead-off hit by pitch, the 'Cats worked the bases loaded with one out in the second. Senior Ryan Williams reached on an error by CBU's shortstop that brought in another run. Neuman tacked on another run after a SAC fly, followed by a Hufft RBI single to lead 4-0. 

CBU plated two runs in the bottom half to trim Northwest's lead to 4-2. 

Fisher exited in the bottom of the fourth, as senior right-hander Connor Polli entered. Fisher went three innings, allowed three hits, three runs (all earned), four walks and struck out a pair. CBU pushed across one more run in the bottom half, with Northwest leading 4-3. 

Quiet middle innings for both teams, as the score remained 4-3 after the top half of the seventh. Head coach Tony Jandron turned to freshman Landon Wells in the bottom half. Polli's outing was efficient, keeping the Bucs off the board. Polli went three innings, allowed just two hits and struck out two. 

CBU drew a leadoff walk, followed by an RBI triple to knot the game up at four, as Wells' day was done after just two batters. Junior Brock Steggall took over for Wells with a runner on third with nobody out. Steggall was able to strike out the first batter he faced, but an RBI ground out to Hufft gave the Bucs a slim 5-4 lead heading into the eighth. 

Junior Parker Griffith pinch hit for Max Pawela, who singled to begin the top half of the eighth. 

In the top of the ninth, both Williams and Neuman reached base via a walk and hit by pitch. Hufft drew another walk, loading the bases for Kaehukai Young. Young ripped a single to score Williams to knot the game up at five. Leonardo May then gave the 'Cats a 6-5 advantage, scoring Neuman on a fielder's choice. The Bearcats weren't done quite yet, as Brady Miles brought in Hufft on a sacrifice fly. Alex Bowers knocked in a pair of RBIs on a single, followed by two more RBI singles from Williams and Neuman to hold a 11-5 cushion. The Bearcats scored seven runs on four hits in the top half of the ninth. 

UP NEXT
The Bearcats return to Nadicksbernd Field for a double header against the Bucs, Saturday, Feb. 8 beginning at 11 a.m. 

NOTES
Ashton Neuman swiped two bases and is now 3-for-3 on the season…As a team, Northwest stays a perfect 7-of-7 in stolen bases on the season…Kaehukai Young leads the 'Cats with six RBIs…All eight of Northwest's hits were singles (8) …Seven Bearcats tallied RBIs…Northwest drew 11 walks...Brock Steggall hasn't given up a run in six innings through two appearances.