EMPORIA, Kansas - Following a complete game from junior Max Spitzmiller, the Northwest Missouri State University baseball team completed a Friday win over Emporia State in game one of the three-day weekend stint, 6-1.
Spitzmiller completed his first complete game of the 2020 season, allowing one run (one earned) on four hits while adding nine strikeouts to his team-leading season total (27). In 32 batters faced, Spitzmiller only allowed two walks.
The Bearcat offense wasted no time putting runs on the scoreboard, taking a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first. Junior infielder Peter Carlson turned on the first pitch he saw and connected with a home run to left field.
Northwest kept the momentum in the second, adding two more runs and taking the 3-0 lead. With one out and two men on, junior DMACC transfer Jacob Pinkerton singled through the left side of the infield, advancing senior Tim Olson and scoring the speedy junior outfielder Donovan Warren from second base. Heads up base running allowed the ‘Cats to bring in the second run of the inning as Olson crossed on a wild pitch.
In the third, the Bearcats added two more insurance runs on four consecutive singles to the scoreboard, taking a 5-0 lead and turning on the cruise control. With one out, sophomore infielder Jordan Peck singled through the right side. Next up, sophomore Ryan Koski singled to center field, putting runners on first and second. With an 0-2 count, redshirt freshman Caden Diel singled to right field, scoring Peck and moving Koski to third. The fourth single came from Warren, who singled through the middle and scored Koski for the second run of the inning.
Following stagnant fourth and fifth innings from both squads, Northwest plated another run and increasing its lead to 6-0 over Emporia State. With one out, Carlson ripped a double to right-center field and advanced to third on a misthrow. Carlson scored on the next at bat on a groundout by senior first baseman Connor Quick.
In the seventh, Emporia state jumped on the board following a solo homer to left field and inched back at the Northwest lead, 6-1. This as the only blemish on Spitzmiller’s resume on the afternoon.
The Bearcats would hold the Hornet offense scoreless in the final two innings of play to take game one of the three-game stint.
Northwest will be back in action for game two of the three-day weekend series Saturday, Feb 7. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
Northwest has won seven of the last eight matchups with the Hornets.
--- Northwest Athletics ---