Baseball | 4/24/2012 1:22:00 PM
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
ESU will step outside of the MIAA for the final time when they travel to Wichita, Kan. to face Newman in an important region game.
LAST AT BAT
ESU jumped on top in the top of the third inning before Lincoln answered with a single run in the bottom of the fifth. The Hornets would then plate three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 4-1 lead. The Blue Tigers would earn the walk-off 5-4 win with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
At the plate Joe Vaskas had his fourth straight multiple RBI game as he had a double and drove in two runs. Joe Kornbrust went two for three with a single run driven in. Dorain Williams scored a run and drove in a run in the ESU effort. Zach Gove earned his fourth loss of the season on the mound.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 374-148 in his ninth season at ESU and is 679-258 in his 16th year overall. He has led ESU to eight straight NCAA South Central Regionals. He led ESU to MIAA Championships in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011. A 1991 graduate of ESU, Fornelli has taken teams to the NCAA Tournament 12 times, and was the national runner-up in 2009 with ESU and in 2000 while at FHSU.
Zane Ehling is 44-43 in his second season with the Jets.
THE SERIES
This will be the 60th between the two team with ESU holding a 42-17 overall advantage.
LAST TIME VS. NEWMAN
ESU scored in the top of the first inning, but could not hold on falling 2-1 in a pitchers duel to Newman on April 3, 2012. At the plate Eric Dawson was the only Hornet with multiple hits going two for four and driving in the games only run. Dorain Williams went one for three on the afternoon, reaching base twice and scoring ESU’s only run. Joe Vaskas, Joe Kornbrust and Joe Hosey also each contributed a hit for ESU. On the mound Brandon Faulkner worked six innings allowing only one earned run and striking out five while walking none.
SCOUTING THE JETS
Newman is 23-14 and they are 17-13 in the Heartland Conference. At the plate they are led by Ruben Marrero who is hitting .361 with three home runs and 24 runs batted in. On the mound Jacob Furr is 4-3 with a 2.96 earned run average.
ON DECK
The Hornets will face #5 Central Missouri in a four game set on April 27-29. First ptich for the series opener is set for 6 p.m. from Glennen Field.
