MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State baseball team (9-8, 3-3 MIAA) secured its first series sweep over Washburn since 2019, capping off the three-game set with an 11-6 win Monday afternoon at Bearcat Baseball Field.

After Washburn (10-9, 5-4 MIAA) erased a five-run deficit to tie the game at 6-6 in the seventh, Northwest responded with a five-run outburst in the eighth to seal the win. The Bearcats capitalized on 15 free passes issued by the Ichabods' pitching staff while recording their eighth double-digit hitting performance of the season.

Chester Brooks sparked the Bearcat offense with his first career home run in the second inning, setting the tone for Northwest's 11-run performance. Ashton Neuman drew five walks at the plate, stole two bases, and earned the win on the mound after tossing the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Starter George Fisher delivered a solid outing, going 5 2/3 innings while surrendering just three runs on five hits.

Brooks put Northwest on the board early, launching a two-run shot over the left field fence in the second inning after Brady Miles reached on a walk. Washburn cut the lead in half in the third, but Jacob Selock answered in the fourth with a leadoff homer to spark a four-run frame. Parker Griffith followed with an RBI single, and Brooks came through again with a two-run single to extend the lead to 6-1.

Washburn chipped away with single runs in the fifth and sixth before scoring three more in the seventh to even the score. 

However, Miles opened the eighth with his third walk of the game, and Brooks was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Alex Bowers delivered the go-ahead RBI single, followed by Selock's two-run double. Neuman added another walk and a stolen base before Dylan Hufft capped the scoring with a two-run single, securing Northwest's 11-6 victory.
 
UP NEXT
Northwest will travel down the road to Liberty, Mo., for a 5 p.m. matchup against William Jewell Tuesday, March 11. The Bearcats will then head to Pittsburg, Kan., for a three-game series against Pittsburg State beginning on Friday, March 14. 

NOTES
Northwest recorded its first series sweep over Washburn since 2019…The Bearcats handed the Ichabods' first three-game sweep since April 6-8, 2023, against Central Oklahoma…Northwest swept an opponent for the first time since April 23-25, 2022 against Fort Hays State… The Bearcats' 15 drawn walks today marks the most since Feb. 10 of last season vs. Henderson State (18)…Northwest scored 34 runs on 35 total hits during the three-game stretch vs. Washburn.