MVC BASEBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH BAKER UNIVERSITY

MVC BASEBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH BAKER UNIVERSITY

 

Marshall, Mo. (March 20, 2013)- The Missouri Valley College baseball team welcomed in Baker University for a conference doubleheader Wednesday afternoon.  Baker took the first game in extra innings 4-2, but the Vikings came back to claim the second game 3-0.

 

In game one the Vikings looked to jump out on Baker early when Sophomore Catcher Anthony Corona (Lee's Summit, Mo.) singled to third base.  On the play, Freshman Left Fielder Jacob Stafford (Richmond, Mo.) was tagged out after being caught between second and third base, putting an end to a potential early game rally for the Vikings.  The Wildcats eventually took the lead by scoring a run in each of the third and fourth innings, but the Vikings were able to chop away at the lead in the late innings.  In the bottom of the sixth Corona led off the inning with a walk, and was replaced by pinch runner Freshman Bryce Ash (Joplin, Mo.).  Ash eventually came around to score after advancing to third on a Junior First Baseman Josh Hartin (Washburn, Mo.) single, then reaching home on a successful squeeze bunt by Freshman Greg Gilreath (Lake St. Louis, Mo.).  MVC forced extra innings by scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning.  Corona singled with two outs and scored Senior Cody Moore (Osage Beach, Mo.).  Despite the comeback, Baker came away with the victory after scoring two runs in the top of the eighth inning to win the game 4-2.  Picking up the loss for MVC was Junior Pitcher Brady Nowak (Belleville, Ill.) who went 7.2 innings giving up seven hits, four earned runs, while striking out two.  Corona finished 2 for 3 with an RBI and a walk, while Junior Centerfielder Bob Warchuck (Wichita, Kan.) and Junior Second Baseman Tim Roddy (Yakima, Wash.) each had two hits.

 

In game two the Vikings jumped out early scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning off a Hartin double to deep right-center field that scored Senior Shortstop Troy Langan (Elk Grove, Mo.).  The Vikings added to their lead in the second inning thanks to defensive miscue by Baker allowing Gilreath to score from third when Warchuck was caught between first and second base.  MVC tacked on its third run in the fourth inning off a Stafford single that scored Warchuck.  The Vikings were led at the plate by Langan and Warchuck who each went 2 for 3 in the game, both scoring one run apiece.  Also with base hits were Hartin and Stafford.  Starting Pitcher Freshman Devin Burnworth (Kansas City, Mo.) pitched a complete game shutout.  Burnworth gave up just four hits and struck out one batter.  Only two runners advanced past second base against Burnworth in the game.  Baker looked to get back into the game in the top of the sixth inning, but Burnworth was able to get Baker to ground into a double-play to end the inning, stranding a Wildcat at third.

 

The Vikings are now 2-10 overall and 1-3 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.  Baker sits at 2-16 on the season and 1-3 in HAAC action.

 

Up next for the MVC baseball team is a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at home against conference foe Benedictine.  First game of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Indian Foothills Park.

 

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 40 academic programs, study abroad program, honors program, extracurricular activities, and 13 sports. The most popular majors include education and business, and some new majors are ag-business, nursing, graphic design, and health information systems (associate degree). Above all, Valley is committed to student success.