PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Northwest Missouri State baseball team's season opener nearly was a successful one as they scored five runs in the top half of ninth, but lost 10-9 to the University of West Florida.

The Bearcats opened up the scoring with two runs in the top half of the first to take the early lead. However, West Florida's bats heated up and they scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning to take the lead for good. The Argonauts would add on runs with three in the fourth, one in the sixth and their final run in the eighth.

Northwest was helped out in the ninth with three errors being assessed to West Florida, two of them to second baseman Ryan Stropolo.

Leading the way for the Bearcats offensively were junior Tristan Stewart (Crystal Lake, Ill.), who had three RBIs, along with sophomore Britt Westman (Smithville, Mo.). Stewart also scored a team-high two runs, along with senior John White (Omaha, Neb.).

In the ninth inning the Bearcats had runners on first and second when freshman John Henne (Elkhorn, Neb.) came to the plate with two outs, but he struck out to end the game.

The Bearcats will have tomorrow off before they get back to action on Tuesday, with a double header starting at 4:00 p.m. against West Florida. Northwest is 0-1 overall and West Florida improves to 12-7.

For more information, please contact:

Phillip Dowden, Media Relations/Sports Information
sid@nwmissouri.edu | 660.562.1118 | Fax: 660.562.1582

Northwest Athletics
Lamkin Activity Center | 800 University Drive | Maryville, MO 64468