KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team won its third consecutive series with a 2-1 edge in its MIAA-opening three-game set with Fort Hays State.
 
The Tigers came back and posted a 10-8 comeback win the resumption of Thursday's game that was halted by darkness. The Bearcats were able to take the rubber match 9-1 behind a strong starting pitching performance from Logan Brasel.
 
Northwest is 10-5 overall and 2-1 in MIAA play. FHSU is 4-9 overall and 1-2 in league play.
 
GAME TWO (RESUMPTION)
The second game of the doubleheader was resumed at Kansas City Kansas Community College at 12:30 p.m. Frida as FHSU came back to score a 10-8 win in 10 innings.

The game was halted by darkness Thursday with Northwest holding a 7-6 lead in the top of the eighth. The Bearcats managed to tally five doubles and a home run in the contest.

Fort Hays State took an early lead in the first inning with three runs. C. Howell and A. Avila both doubled, with Avila and G. Cook each contributing RBI singles, putting the Tigers up 3-0.

Northwest Missouri State responded powerfully in the fourth inning. Chester Brooks doubled and then advanced to third on a fielding error, setting the stage for Parker Griffith, who hit a two-run homer. Additional runs were scored by Brock Hufft and Leonardo May, with May's double bringing Hufft home. A series of walks and a hit-by-pitch allowed Wilmer Jimenez, Jeremiah Cabuyaban, and May to score, concluding the inning with the Bearcats leading 6-3.

Fort Hays State managed to tie the game in the sixth inning, scoring three runs. Howell's and Cook's hits, combined with a double from Woolwine, helped bring the score to 6-6.

In the seventh, the Bearcats edged ahead with a single run scored by Austin Marsh, who pinch-ran for Griffith after a double, later advancing on a wild pitch and scoring on Connors' fielder's choice, making it 7-6.

The ninth inning saw the Tigers reclaim two runs, tying the game at 8-8. Howell's single brought in two runs, one of which was unearned due to an error.

The game extended into the tenth inning, where Fort Hays State added two more runs. Cook scored on a wild pitch, followed by a run scored by T. Jimenez, also unearned, due to a fielding miscue. Northwest Missouri State failed to score in their half of the inning, resulting in a final score of 10-8 in favor of the Tigers.

Griffith led the Bearcats with three hits, including a home run and two doubles, collecting two RBIs in the process. May contributed with a double and scored a run, driving in two RBIs. Gage Busby pitched 4 1/3 innings, striking out six batters while allowing three earned runs. Michael Good made an impact with a triple, scoring once, and added a key defensive play with three assists.
 
GAME THREE
Logan Brasel tossed six innings of one-run baseball and the Bearcats offense provided a three-run first and a five-run seventh to gain a 9-1 victory. Northwest pounded out 13 hits against three FHSU pitchers.
 
The Bearcats set the tone in the first inning, scoring three runs. Frank Gall was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a single by Jeremiah Cabuyaban. John Connors then reached on a fielder's choice, bringing Gall home. Wilmer Jimenez's single and a walk to Parker Griffith loaded the bases, allowing Chester Brooks to hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Connors. Jordi Ventura capped the inning with an RBI single, bringing in Jimenez. The score was 3-0 after the first inning.
 
In the second inning, Fort Hays State managed to score a run when A. Santiago singled and later scored on a hit by D. Salcido, reducing the deficit to 3-1. The score remained 3-1 through the third and fourth innings, with minimal action.
 
Northwest added to their lead in the fifth inning. Wilmer Jimenez tripled to left center and scored on a sacrifice fly by Parker Griffith, extending the lead to 4-1.
 
The seventh inning was critical for Northwest, where they scored five runs. Jimenez singled and later scored on a single by Jordi Ventura. Following a walk to Michael Good, Landon May hit a three-run double to left center. Frank Gall's groundout brought May home, ending the inning with a commanding 9-1 lead.
 
Throughout the game, Northwest pitchers limited Fort Hays to just one run, with strong performances across the board.
 
Brasel (2-1) delivered a strong performance over six innings, allowing one earned run on six hits while striking out four and walking two. Brasel threw 115 pitches, 69 of which were strikes, to secure the win. Tyson Hilsabeck contributed 1 1/3 innings of relief, surrendering one hit and one walk, while striking out one. Landon Wells and Micah Diamond each pitched in the final innings, with Wells retiring both batters he faced in two-thirds of an inning, and Diamond closing with a scoreless ninth, striking out one and walking one.
 
Jeremiah Cabuyaban finished with three hits, contributing significantly at the plate with an OPS of 1.200. Wilmer Jimenez scored three runs and collected three hits, including a triple, while also stealing two bases. Leonardo May recorded two hits and three RBIs, highlighted by a double.
 
The Bearcats will return to action next weekend with a three-game series at Emporia State Feb. 27-March 1.