BEARCATS DROP SEASON OPENER

Being on the short end of an 11-0 final in their season opening loss against Fort Smith Northside at Hunt’s Park in Fort Smith yesterday would seem that there would be few if any highlights for the Bearcat baseball team.

That would not be an accurate assumption.

For starters there was freshman Rhett Nietert who drew the start at second base and hit in the two-hole. Nietert recorded one of two Bearcat hits on the day with a single leading off the fourth inning in what was then a 6-0 game.

Nietert was also flawless in the field, taking a throw (shown) from catcher Dax Goff to nab a would-be base stealer.

He was also the final of three Bearcat pitchers on the day, recording the final out.

Matt O’Bar was also aboard twice for the Bearcats. The junior first baseman singled in the third and drew a fifth inning walk, the only one issued to the Bearcats in the game.

The Bearcats also committed just two errors but starter Brooks Herrera pitched around one of those, stranding a runner at third who got an extra base.

Herrera also didn’t get a call on a third strike in the second inning which eventually led to a 5-0 deficit as opposed to one of 1-0.

Dylan Todd also threw for the Bearcats and did not allow a Grizzly hit.

The Bearcats will look to rebound today when they travel to Lamar for a 5:30 game. The game was originally scheduled for the Billy Kiersey Complex in Booneville but was moved to Lamar due to the Bearcat basketball team playing in the Class 3A state tournament in Lamar at 2:30 today.