Baseball | 4/10/2014 5:51:00 PM
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Emporia State Hornets (21-14, 15-13 MIAA)
vs.
Lincoln Blue Tigers (1-28, 0-24 MIAA)
Friday April 11 at 4:00 p.m. DH • Emporia, Kan. • Glennen Field/Trusler Sports Complex
Saturday April 12 at 2:00 p.m. DH • Emporia, Kan. • Glennen Field/Trusler Sports Complex
Series Record: ESU leads 11-8 Last Meeting: at LU 5, ESU 4 (4/22/12)
Up Next: at Washburn • Tuesday, April 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Falley Field • Topeka, Kan.
Complete Game Notes in .pdf • Live Stats
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BACK TO THE LEAGUE
Emporia State returns to MIAA play against Lincoln this weekend. The two will play a pair of doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday.
LAST AT BAT
The Hornets scored in each of the first five innings on their way to a 14-2 non-conference win over #22 Central Missouri on Tuesday night in Warrensburg, Mo. Levi Parker scored four times in the first five innings while Justin Harris was two for three with two runs scored and two RBI. Price Jacobs was two for four with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored while Zach Stuckey was one for two with a homer, two runs and two RBI. Dylan McEwin was credited with the win, allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts in 2.0 innings. Travis Hendry got his second start in a week against the Mules and went 3.0 innings, giving up one run on five hits with three strikeouts. Matt Hinkley worked the final 2.0 scoreless innings and did not allow a hit while walking two and striking out two.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 425-190 in his 11th season at Emporia State and is 730-300 overall in his 18th year overall. He is the fifth winningest active coach in NCAA Division II and is 19th in total victories. He has led Emporia State to two Division II World Series appearances in eight NCAA Tournaments. Fornelli has taken teams to the NCAA Tournament 13 times, and was the national runner-up in 2009 with Emporia State and in 2000 while at Ft. Hays State.
Jim Dapkus is 136-339 in his tenth year at Lincoln and 333-538 in his 18th season as a head coach.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 21-14 overall and 15-13 in the MIAA. As a team they are batting .284, have a 4.79 ERA and a .960 team fielding percentage. Levi Parker and Justin Harris are ranked first and second in the MIAA in stolen bases.
SCOUTING THE BLUE TIGERS
Lincoln is 1-28 overall and 0-24 in the MIAA. The Blue Tigers are last in the MIAA in fielding, batting and pitching. As a team they have a .940 fielding percentage, bat .210 and have a 10.12 ERA.
THE SERIES
Friday will be the 20th meeting between the two teams with ESU holding an 11-8 overall advantage. The Hornets trailed 7-4 before taking seven of the last eight games.
LAST TIME VS. UCM
Lincoln came from behind for a 5-4 walk-off win in game two of a double header on April 22, 2012. Emporia State jumped on top in 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 earned the walk-off 5-4 win with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the last scoring on a wild pitch.
ON DECK
The Hornets will return to Topeka on April 15 for their sixth game this season against Washburn. First pitch from Falley Field of the Tuesday Tax Day Turnpike Tussle is set for 6:00 p.m.
