Baseball | 3/13/2014 5:33:00 PM
March 13, 2014-Winners of six of their last eight games, the Emporia State baseball team will play host to defending MIAA regular season champion Missouri Western for a four game series at the Trusler Sports Complex this weekend.
The Hornets are 11-6 on the season and 7-5 in the MIAA. They have won three straight after taking three of four from nationally ranked Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo. last weekend and a single non-conference game from Washburn on Tuesday.
Justin Harris is batting .361 and leading the Hornets with 16 RBI, 18 runs and 15 stolen bases. Dean Long is batting .333 with 16 RBI, 14 runs and a team best four home runs.Â
On the mound Shawn Talkington is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 25.0 innings and two complete games. Dakota McKaskle is 2-0 with a 7.25 ERA and 13 strikeouts and just three walks in 22.1 innings. Brenton Higgins is 2-0 with three saves and a 2.40 ERA out of the bull pen.
Missouri Western is 8-8 on the year and 5-5 in the MIAA. They have won two in a row to snap a five game losing streak. Ryan Degner is batting .367 with four home runs, 18 RBI and 14 runs scored to pace the Griffon offense. Mason Queen is 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched.
The two teams met in a non-conference game on February 16 at Trusler that was won by Emporia State 10-9 in ten innings.
