Senior Day

The Bearcats are getting ready to play in there final games of their regular season. On Sunday, April 26, the Bearcats are playing Washburn on their senior day. The seniors for the Bearcats are Stephanie Mark, Paige Plythe, and Abbie Vitosh. Senior Stephanie Mark has had many accomplishments in her final year. She has played in every game as a Bearcat and have received player and hitter of the week. Mark is also, up for MIAA player of the year. Paige Blythe and Abbie Vitosh are great pitchers with different strengths to their pitches. All three players in will missed not only on the field, but off as well.

MIAA Conference Tournament

When the Bearcats split with Emporia State University they clenched their way into the conference tournament. Coach Anderson has made it to the tournament the past 8 years in a row. However, the Bearcat have been ranked 8th every year and this year they are seeded much better. The Bearcats will either be fifth or sixth in Conference. Coach Anderson says, "We could do some damage this year in the tournament. We have a completely different mind set this year and we are ready for whatever comes our way".

Northwest vs. Truman State

Game One

The Bearcats had a slow start to the game. In the first inning Truman had three hits and two runs scored against Sarah Baldwin. The Bearcats did not score until the third inning when Jessica Rawie lead off with a solo home run to make the score 2-1. Truman answered every time the Bearcats scored. The game went into extra innings and in the ninth inning Abbi Gilson sent a shot to left field with a walk off home run to win the game. After the game Stephanie Mark says, "Our freshman are huge contribution to our team. If we did not have them out on the field with us we'd be completely a different team".

Game Two

Game two was another close game for the Bearcats. The Bearcats were trailing Truman State 5-0 going into the bottom of the fourth. Rebecca Maher started off the Bearcats with a single to left following that Stephanie Mark singled to center moving Rebecca to second. Baylee Scarbrough scored Rebecca with a single and Stephanie scored on Kendle Schieber's hits. Two batters later Jessica Rawie singled to left to score Baylee. The Bearcats saved many runs fro crossing the plate and the play of the game was Baylee Scarbrough throwing home from right field to catcher Jessica Rawie to tag the runner out.

 

 

 

Player of the Week

Pitcher of the Week

Kendle Schieber has excelled for the past couple weeks. She has pitched 3 no hitter games while striking out 32 batters in the process. Kendle also has hit two home runs and has had a game winning hit. Stephanie Mark says, "Kendle is a phenomenal player and person. She always works to be the best and is encouraging to everyone on the team". Kendle has been the rock for her team and the spark of energy on defense and at the plate. Kenle says, "Everything I do is for this team. I love each and everyone of these girls they make me look good, without them behind me I wouldn't have the confidence that I have and for that I'm thankful".

Pitt State vs. Northwest

Pitt State is the number one team in the MIAA conference going into the match up between the Gorillas and the Bearcats. The first game of the series Sarah Baldwin started pitching for the Bearcats thought Pitt State did not score until the third inning. However, freshman Jessica Rawie came back with a lead off triple to get things going for the Bearcats! The Bearcats scored three runs that inning. The Gorillas came back and tied the game. Abbie Vitosh came in and pitched in the extra innings of the game to have the Gorillas score on her. Pitt State won 8-7. The Bearcats went on the win the next game in a close battle. The Bearcats travel to Joplin to play Southwest Missouri in a double-header.

 

Lopers vs. Bearcats

Northwest splits with Nebraska-Kearney

The first game for the Bearcat was a tough one. Sarah Baldwin started out pitching for Northwest, but soon gave up 5 hits. Senior Paige Blythe came to help in the fifth inning. Paige Blythe pitched lights out for two innings which let the Bearcats creep back with a few runs of their own. The Bearcats had the game even going into the seventh and final inning of the game. Paige Blythe pitched for the first out of the inning, but had two hits after that. Coach Anderson took a trip to the pitching mound but the very next pitch was hit out of the park therefore the bearcats lost the first game.


In the second game the Bearcats came out ready to play. Kendle Schieber started pitching for the Bearcats and pitched lights out. Kendle Schieber shut down the Lopers with 10 strikeouts following with a no hitter. This gave the advantage to Northwest to help them rally. The Bearcats went on the win the game 5-0. Freshman Abbi Gilson says, "When Kendle is on she is unstoppable". Kendle Schieber is an excellent pitcher and she proved that today!



The Bearcats are on their way for another double-header and are ready for more wins. Continue to come support your Northwest Bearcats!

 

Home Opener

Northwest vs. Upper Iowa

The home opener for the Bearcats was a success. The Bearcats won both games with a score of 2-1. The first inning of the game Torri Blythe reached on error from the right fielder and made it to second base on that hit. The next batter, Rebecca Maher , hit a single to centerfield which scored Torri Blythe from second, on the throw home Rebecca Maher advanced to second. Two batters later Chantel Adams has a single up the middle to score Rebecca Maher and the Bearcats held on with those two runs to win the game.

The second game was more difficult it seemed for the Bearcats to score runs. After the Peacocks scored their first run in the first inning the Bearcats came back and Stephanie Mark and Chantel Adams had back-to-back doubles for the first run of the game. The Bearcats and the Peacocks remained scoreless until the eighth inning when Torri Blythe knocked in the winning run. While in this game Kendle Schieber had her second career win for the Bearcats only allowing 5 hits, 1 walk and having 7 strike outs.

Division II Honors

Stephanie Mark who has been a great asset to the Bearcats this season. She has been awarded the MIAA Softball Hitter of the Week as well as the NFCA Division II National Player of the Week. Stephanie Mark has started in every game this season with a batting average of .545 with 14 runs, 21 RBI's, 4 doubles, 1 triple and 5 home runs! Stephanie Mark has been a big spark for the Bearcats on their last several wins. Cassidy Lee says, "Stephanie is a phenomenal hitter and all around player. She cheers everyone on during the game and always keeps a positive attitude". Northwest congratulates Stephanie Mark on her Division II Honors.

Upcoming Games

Today, Friday 13th, the Bearcats take on Southwest Baptist at another home game. The Bearcats are looking for a couple wins today. Next Tuesday, the Bearcats take a trip to St. Joseph to play the Griffins of Missouri Western. Again the coming weekend the Bearcat play in a tournament down in St. Joseph and will pick up another 5-6 games. The Bearcats are ready for the games ahead of them and aren't ready to let up!

Conference Games

Northwest vs. University of Central Missouri



Unfortunately, the Bearcats were unable to play their first home game of the season due to such low temperatures. The temperature was about 22 degree wind chill, but Conference play has a MIAA rule that it must be at least 42 degrees in order to play. The Bearcats are now looking at their next home to be on Wednesday, March 11th against Upper Iowa University. The Bearcats are eager to get out and play on their home field!




On The Road

Today, the Bearcats travel to Oklahoma to play two Conference opponents. Their first series is against University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Sophomore Chantel Adams (to the left) says, "Central is a really good team and we know they will come out and play their best, so we have to be ready to perform". Next after Central Oklahoma the Bearcats travel to Tahlequah to play Northeastern State University. Both these Oklahoma universities will be great competition for the Bearcats!


After the trip to Oklahoma the Bearcats come back and play two home games on Wednesday and Friday this next week! Make sure to come out to the Bearcat Softball Field and cheer on our Bearcats to victory!

 

Softball Season is Underway

Northwest vs. Rockhurst

The Bearcats were able to pick up a game this week at Rockhurst in Kansas City Missouri due to the cancelation of their tournament that they were to be play in over this past weekend. Freshman Jessica Rawie had her first career home run in the top of the seventh inning for two insurance runs. Junior Madison Jones hit her first solo home run this year in the second game to go ahead of Rockhurst. The Bearcats split with Rockhurst winning the fist game 5-0 but losing the next 6-4. They were great games played by both teams.

Home Opener

March 3, is the home opener for the Bearcats against University of Central Missouri and they couldn't be more ready to play. Freshman Rebecca Mahar says, "I'm ready to finally get the chance to play on our home field especially being a freshman it will be a great first experience", Below is a picture of the Bearcat Softball Field and the Bearcats are very excited to get out there and play this coming week.

 

After the home opener the ladies head to Oklahoma to play University of Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State University. Maryville and the Bearcat softball supporters wish the ladies good luck in their upcoming games!

 

 

Northwest Softball

The Classics Recap


Northwest wrapped the tournament up with a 1-3 record with three tough loses to some of the best teams in the division. They were beating their opponents all the way until the sixth inning where the other team would have a timely hit to get ahead of the Bearcats. Sarah Baldwin, who is the number one pitcher for the Bearcats, says "We just need to stay strong through the entire game and not let up on our opponents". Sarah believes her team will be able to do some great things this season if they stay positive and are able to keep challenging their opponents. The picture to the right is Sarah pitching in her first game of the season.




Weekend Off

The Northwest Bearcats softball team was supposed to be in a tournament in Pittsburgh Kansas. Unfortunately, the weather conditions for this coming weekend have resulted in a cancelation of the tournament. The Bearcats are not happy with the way things turned out for them in The Classics so they are using this off weekend to get better and work better as a team. The girls are still working out and are making their bodies stronger to be able to have the same energy level at the end of the game as they did in the beginning. Athletic trainer, Joe Quinlin, states "These ladies are some of the hardest working people I've been able to work with. Each pushes themselves more and more each week". To the left is a picture  of part the weight room that the softball girls workout in with their trainers.

Upcoming Games

Coming soon for the Bearcats is the Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament. The Bearcats will be playing four tough games in that tournament. In a couple weeks the Bearcats will be hosting their first home game. Maryville will continue to support their softball team and are ready to cheer them on in the upcoming games!

 

 

Division II Kickoff

Division II Softball

Little people know that this weekend is the largest Division II season opener for softball! The tournament The Classic is the largest Division II tournament around and it happens to fall on the first weekend that the softball players can play on! All the teams were excited to get out and play on the dirt since they haven't gotten the chance to because of the weather conditions. One team in particular that was extremely excited to hit the field is the Northwest Bearcats!

The Bearcats have been prepping all off season for their first opportunity to be on the field. Coach Anderson has been biting at the bit to see his teams' hard work pay off. He had a press conference explaining his thoughts for the season and how he sees the team performing this year! Chantel Adams, the freshman player of the year for 2014, says she is very excited to play with this group of girls because she believes her team will go far this year!

The Classics

The Bearcats played two games so far in the tournament and are 1-1 for the season! Stephanie Mark hit the first home run of the season for Northwest in their first game in the tournament! Stephanie Mark had one of the highest batting averages on the team last year and is pushing her team to excel in not only this tournament, but for the rest of the reason.

Overall the Northwest Bearcats are very excited for the upcoming season and they have high expectations for how they will finish their year! Many people are looking forward to see how Bearcat softball does in their season and will be their supporting them at their games this year!