Press Release

March 15, 2006

Bearcats Wipe out UMC and VCSU in Home Openers

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Northwest Missouri State opened with a 12-run first inning versus Minnesota Crookston that set the stage for the day as it gained its first home win of the season, 17-3, then went on to defeat Valley City State, 11-4.

The 'Cats improved to 6-9 on the season. The team combined for 11 hits in game one and 14 in the second game and only three errors for the entire day. Alex Budden took the win (1-0) versus UMC with three strikeouts in five innings of work. Dan Olds came in for two innings of relief and struck out four batters.

Jeremy Tapps claimed the win versus VCSU (1-1). Tapps relieved Justin Hildebrand in the fifth inning and allowed no runs and walked none.

Senior Drew Mettille garnered five hits on the day for Northwest and Ryley Westman, along with Will Newland, hit homeruns in the second game.

The Bearcats look to take two more from the Valley City State Vikings tomorrow in a noon doubleheader (originally scheduled as a single game at 1:00 p.m.).

Line Score by Inning (game 1)
U M C 0 0 0 1 1 0 1
NMSU 12 5 0 0 0 0 x
RHE
M - 3 5 6
N - 17 11 1

Line score by Inning (game 2)
VCSU 0 2 0 0 2 0 0
NMSU 1 0 0 3 4 3 x
RHE
V - 4 10 2
N - 11 14 2