MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team clinched a series victory by taking the first two games of the three-game series against Missouri Southern State University on Sunday, 9-3.
Northwest improved its record 15-6 and 6-2 in the MIAA while Missouri Southern drops its record to 9-9 and 4-4 in the conference. The Bearcats tallied 14 hits, exceeding their season average of 9.6, and recorded six walks, contributing to their robust scoring. This win marks the Bearcats' fourth straight victory.
The game started with Aiden Hinkle hitting a home run for the Lions, but Northwest Missouri State quickly responded in the bottom of the first.
Chester Brooks doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by
Frank Gall.
Jeremiah Cabuyaban then added a solo home run, putting Northwest Missouri State ahead 2-1 after the first inning.
In the second inning, Brooks doubled again, and Cabuyaban delivered a three-run homer, expanding the lead to 5-1. This performance by Cabuyaban also saw him record a season-high three runs. The fourth inning saw Gall hit a solo home run, adding to Northwest Missouri State's advantage and making it 6-1.
The Lions scored again in the sixth with an RBI double from Jake Leeker, but Northwest Missouri State countered with a strong bottom half.
John Connors hit a two-RBI single, and a bases-loaded walk to
Jordi Ventura brought in another run, making the score 9-2 after six innings.
Leeker's solo homer in the eighth added a run for Missouri Southern State University, but Northwest Missouri State maintained control, ending the game with a 9-3 final score.
Gage Busby delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 6 innings and allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits while striking out 7 batters swinging, surpassing his season average. He threw a season-high 102 pitches, 67 of which were strikes, and maintained a WHIP of 1.00.
Landon Wells followed with a perfect inning, requiring only 5 pitches to retire all 3 batters he faced with groundouts.
Jase Johnson pitched an inning, conceding a solo home run among his 4 batters, and recorded one strikeout.
Micah Diamond closed the game, working through 4 batters and allowing 2 hits without surrendering any runs.
Gall tallied three runs, hit a home run, and added two RBIs. Cabuyaban scored three runs with two home runs, contributing four RBIs. Brooks collected two doubles and scored three runs. Connors posted three hits and drove in two runs.
Wilmer Jimenez registered a season-high total of four hits, adding depth to the Bearcats' offensive prowess.
Next up, Northwest Missouri State will host Missouri Southern the final game in the series on Monday, Mar. 9, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
