Wildcats Rise Up on Easter Weekend to Defeat Vikings

The Wildcats took the series from the Missouri Valley Vikings, boosting their chances of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Coach Gyorkos talked about getting the wins on day two, saying, “It feels good. We struggled at first in Game One… but we stuck to our game plan. It’s been nice to find ways to win.”

GAME 1

In Game One of the four-game series, the Wildcats found themselves down 6-4 going into the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fifth, they loaded the bases. Seniors Kannon Kirk and Tristan Meny each singled. Senior Jordan Scott was hit by a pitch to reload the bases, and senior catcher Bryan Baretto ripped a double down the left-field line to drive in three runs. The Wildcats headed to the seventh inning up 7-6. After holding the Vikings scoreless in the top half, the Wildcats’ offense added more insurance runs. Senior Ryan Osso singled in a run, and sophomore Wyatt Wright reached on a sacrifice bunt error by the pitcher. Noble Oxford then caused chaos with a bunt that cleared the bases, scoring three more runs off another Viking error.
The Wildcats stuck with sophomore pitcher Jared Marty, who came in during the fifth, to close out the game in the seventh and secure a 10-6 win.
Graduate pitcher Gavin Reams went 3 innings pitched (IP), allowing 4 hits (H), 2 earned runs (ER), and recording 1 strikeout (SO) to pick up the win, improving to 2-0 on the season. Sophomore pitcher Jared Marty pitched 2 IP with 2 H, 1 walk (BB), and 2 SOs to earn his second save of the season. Senior catcher Bryan Baretto drove in four RBIs, going 1-for-3 at the plate. Seniors Kannon Kirk, Tristan Meny, and Jordan Scott each crossed home plate twice in the game.

GAME 2

However, the Vikings bounced back in Game Two, shutting down the Wildcat offense. The ‘Cats managed only two hits, while the Vikings scored six runs on eight hits to win 6-0. Senior pitcher Clayton Woods started strong, allowing just one run over the first five innings, but gave up five runs in the sixth. Woods took the loss, falling to 5-4 on the season. He finished with 6.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, and 3 SOs.

GAME 3

On Saturday, the Wildcats once again found themselves fighting from behind. As Coach Gyorkos noted, the team struggled to find hits, going hitless through the first four innings. The Vikings built a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Sophomore Jeremiah Morris sparked the offense with a single to left-center field, and sophomore Jackson Day followed by reaching base. Wyatt Wright then doubled, driving in Morris and moving Day to third. After a Viking pitching change, Noble Oxford hit a sacrifice fly to score Day and advance Wright to third. The Vikings intentionally walked Kannon Kirk and made another pitching change. While trying to work the count against Tristan Meny, a wild pitch allowed Kirk to advance and Wright to score, cutting the deficit to three.
The Wildcats held the Vikings scoreless behind reliever Garrett Hogard. Jordan Scott walked to start the next inning. After two outs, what seemed like a groundout turned into a balk call that advanced Scott to second. Day followed with a single to left, scoring Scott. Senior Kevin Mueller came in to pinch run. Osso was hit by a pitch, and Wyatt Wright returned with a single up the left side to score Mueller. A wild pitch put runners on second and third, and Oxford walked to load the bases. Kannon Kirk then drew a walk, bringing in Osso to give the Wildcats their first lead.
The Wildcats entered the seventh with Hogard on the mound, but after two walks, Coach Gyorkos turned to left-handed closer Isaiah Naylor. The Wildcats caught the lead runner trying to steal third in a rundown for an out, then finished it off with a fly out and a strikeout swinging to secure the comeback win.
The Wildcats also tore into the Viking bullpen, forcing them to use five pitchers heading into the final game of the series.

Garrett Hogard picked up the win, improving to 2-3 on the season, with 1.2 IP and 1 SO. Isaiah Naylor earned his fourth save of the year, throwing 1 IP with 1 SO. Jackson Day went 2-for-2, scored once, and drove in a run. Wyatt Wright finished 2-for-3 with a double, a run, and two RBIs.

GAME 4

The Wildcats knew they needed a series win to help their playoff chances and had to strike early against the Vikings.
Senior Josh Martini, 2-1 entering the game, got the start. Martini gave up a couple of singles, a walk, and a two-out single to allow two runs in the first inning. Vikings starter Jade Limbrock, who entered 0-3 on the season, worked around two hits to keep the Wildcats scoreless and take a 2-0 lead into the second.
Martini settled in, recording a groundout and a double play to throw a scoreless second. The Wildcats’ offense got rolling with Jeremiah Morris doubling to left-center and Ryan Osso following with a triple to cut the lead to one.
Another scoreless top half gave the Wildcats another chance. Kannon Kirk reached on an error, and Meny singled to send Kirk to third. Jordan Scott put the ball in play and reached on a fielder’s choice as the Vikings threw it away, allowing Kirk to score and tie the game.
In the fourth, the Vikings went scoreless again, and Culver-Stockton took its first lead. Wyatt Wright tripled, and a wild pitch during Kirk’s at-bat brought Wright home to make it 3-2.
The Wildcats added two more runs. Morris singled to left, Day singled to right, and Osso walked to load the bases. With two outs, Noble Oxford ripped a double to score Morris and Day, pushing the lead to 5-2.
Martini closed it out from there, pitching through the sixth and seventh innings and striking out the final batter to secure the series win.

Martini threw a complete game to improve to 3-1 on the season, finishing with 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, and 2 SO.
At the plate, Noble Oxford went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Jeremiah Morris also finished 2-for-4 with a double and scored twice.

Post Game

The Wildcats are now 18-22 overall and 12-16 in conference play. They closed their home stand with an 8-4 record and are currently tied for seventh place with the Peru State Bobcats. The top eight teams will qualify for the conference playoffs.
Culver-Stockton will conclude its season on the road in Atchison, Kansas, with a four-game series against Benedictine College. Doubleheaders are scheduled for Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, with first pitch both days set for 12 p.m. CST.