Baseball | 4/24/2014 5:25:00 PM
Emporia State Hornets (31-14, 23-13 MIAA)
vs.
Lindenwood Lions (16-28, 13-19 MIAA)
Friday, April 25 at 4:00 p.m. DH • Lou Brock Sports Complex • St. Charles, Mo.
Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m. DH • Lou Brock Sports Complex • St. Charles, Mo.
Series Record: ESU leads 2-1 Last Meeting: ESU 11, LWU 0 (3/4/2013)
Up Next: MIAA Tournament Opening Round Series • Friday, May 2 TBA
Complete Notes in pdf • Live Stats
ON THE LINE
Emporia State makes their first trip to St. Charles, Mo. and the Lou Brock Sports Complex as they take on Lindenwood in the final regular season series of the year. The Hornets are third in the MIAA, two games out of second place and two games in front of three teams in a virtual tie for fourth place in the league. The top four teams will host Opening Round Series in the MIAA Tournament.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State got another strong outing from their pitching staff in a 4-1 win over Newman on Tuesday night at the Trusler Sports Complex. Kevin Shaffer went 7.0 innings and allowed just one run on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks to even his record at 2-2. Matt Hinkley had a six pitch eighth for the hold and Brenton Higgins worked a perfect ninth for his league leading tenth save of the year. Wade Hanna was two for four with an RBI and a run scored while Dean Long went one for one with three walks and the two run homer.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 435-190 in his 11th season at Emporia State and is 740-300 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.
Doug Bletcher is 228-144-1 in his seventh season as head coach at Lindenwood and is 587-326-2 in his 16th season as a head coach.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 31-14 overall and 23-13 in the MIAA. The Hornets have won 12 straight, their longest winning streak since a 13 game streak in 2011. They are batting .304, with a 4.43 ERA and a .963 team fielding percentage. Emporia State leads the MIAA and is ranked in the top ten nationally in K/BB ratio. Dean Long leads the MIAA in RBI with 48 and Justin Harris has an MIAA best 35 stolen bases.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Lindenwood is 16-28 on the season and 13-19 in the MIAA. They have a .290 team batting average, 5.55 team ERA and a .953 team fielding percentage.
THE SERIES
Friday's first game will be just the fourth between Emporia State and Lindenwood with the Hornets holding a 2-1 advantage.
LAST TIME VS. LINDENWOOD
Emporia State pounded out 16 hits, including five for extra bases in an 11-0 win over Lindenwood. Due to weather conditions in both cities the series was moved to Pryor, Okla. Shawn Talkington went the distance allowing just six hits with five strikeouts and no walks. He faced just three over the minimum as the Hornet defense turned three double plays. Eric Dawson went five for five at the plate with four RBI, two runs scored, a home run and a double.
ON DECK
Emporia State has clinched a spot in the MIAA Tournament, but will not know their opponent or location for the Opening Round Series until after this weekend.
