Baseball | 2/15/2013 11:14:00 PM
Game Notes in pdf
LET’S GET THIS STARTED
The Hornets make their 2013 home and MIAA debut against Missouri Western at Glennen Field in the Trusler Sports Complex. It is the first time since 1993 Emporia State’s home opener will also be the MIAA opener. That year the Hornets defeated UMSL 5-4 in the home opener on the way to their first MIAA championship.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State baseball dropped their third game of the Astros In Action Division II Invitational 12-4 to Arkansas Tech. Polly took the loss for Emporia State giving up five runs on six hits in 1.1 innings. Keith Picht had four strike outs in 2.0 innings but gave up the final three runs of the game in the ninth. Eric Dawson and Luke Slagle both went two for four as Dawson scored a run and Slagle had an RBI. Aaron Rea was one for four with an RBI and run scored while AShton McCoy went one for four with an RBI.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 377-157 in his tenth season at ESU and is 681-267 in his 17th year overall. He led ESU to eight straight NCAA South Central Regionals and 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.
Buzz Verduzco is 363-298 in his 14th season with the Griffons.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 1-3 on the season after opening the season with four games in Minute Maid Park as part of the Astros in Action Division II Invitational. Dakota McKaskle picked up the win for the Hornets. Eric Dawson is batting .400 with two runs scored.
THE SERIES
The first game of the series will be the 131st meeting between the two teams with Emporia State holding a 96-34 overall advantage. The Hornets have won 16 of the last 20 meetings. Missouri Western was picked second and Emporia State third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.
LAST TIME VS. MO. WESTERN
Emporia State baseball team was out hit in both games as they dropped a double header to Missouri Western at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Hornets fell 5-4 in extra innings in game one before falling 6-2 in the second game.
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS
Missouri Western is 1-3 on the season after their season opening series at Ark. Tech. Brandon Simmons picked up the lone win for the Griffons against the Wonder Boys in Bentonville, Ark. Michael Schulze is batting .563 with a home run and four RBI.
ON DECK
Emporia State will host Northeastern State on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch from Trusler is set for 1:00 p.m.
