MARYVILLE, Mo. —
Frank Gall provided the ultimate late-inning spark for the No. 23 Northwest Missouri State University baseball team, launching a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to fuel an 11-10 comeback victory over the University of Central Oklahoma.
Northwest improved its record 35-14 and 25-10 in the MIAA while Central Oklahoma drops its record to 25-24 and 16-19 in the conference.
With today's win, the Bearcats tied the team's single-season record for conference victories with 25, matching the mark set during the 2018 campaign. Northwest's 35 overall wins are tied for the third-most in a single season in program history.
Central Oklahoma opened the game with a strong first inning, scoring three runs. Trevor Rowe's single to center field brought in two runs, and a hit by pitch with the bases loaded added another. This gave the Bronchos a 3-0 lead after the top of the first inning. Northwest was unable to respond in its half, ending the inning with a single hit and no runs. The score remained 3-0 in favor of UCO.
In the second inning, Central Oklahoma added another run with Carson Taylor's RBI single, extending its lead to 4-0. Northwest responded with a surge.
John Connors singled, followed by
Wilmer Jimenez doubling to bring Connors home.
Michael Good then hit a two-run homer, tying the game at 4-4. The inning ended with both teams at 4 runs.
The third inning saw Central Oklahoma regain the lead with an RBI double by Gage Gilchrist, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of the Bronchos.
Jeremiah Cabuyaban hit a solo home run for Northwest, leveling the score again at 5-5 after three innings.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Central Oklahoma pulled ahead in the fifth with two more runs. A sacrifice fly by Carson Taylor and a groundout RBI by Trevor Rowe pushed their lead to 7-5. Northwest was unable to score in their half of the inning, keeping the score at 7-5.
Jordi Ventura hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, cutting UCO's lead to 7-6. However, the Bronchos added another run in the seventh inning due to a defensive error, making it 8-6.
In a dramatic eighth inning, the 'Cats exploded with six runs.
Frank Gall's grand slam was the highlight, bringing in four runs and giving Northwest an 11-8 lead.
Wilmer Jimenez and
Leonardo May also contributed RBIs, putting the Bearcats ahead by three runs at the end of the inning.
Central Oklahoma attempted a comeback in the ninth inning with solo home runs from Drake Lee and Trevor Rowe, but Northwest Missouri State held on to secure an 11–10 victory.
Gage Busby started on the mound but faced difficulties, allowing one earned run on one walk in just six pitches without recording an out.
Landon Wells followed with three innings, yielding four earned runs on six hits and issuing three walks.
Jeremy Evangelista and
Dylan McIntyre combined for two innings, allowing two runs and five hits, while
Jase Johnson pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up two hits with one walk.
Tyson Hilsabeck delivered a solid 2 2/3 innings, conceding only one run on one hit and earning the win to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Brock Steggall closed, striking out two in the final inning despite allowing two home runs, securing his fourth save.
Frank Gall led the offense with three hits and four RBIs, including a home run.
Jeremiah Cabuyaban contributed a home run and one RBI while also drawing a walk.
Michael Good added to the scoring with a home run, driving in two runs and scoring twice.
Tyson Hilsabeck earned the win on the mound, allowing one run over 2 2/3 innings with one strikeout.
Next Up:
Northwest and Central Oklahoma will decide the series tomorrow with game three of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bearcat Baseball Field.
