Emporia State Hornets (20-7, 12-7 MIAA)
at Neb.-Kearney Lopers (21-10, 15-5 MIAA)
April 2,3,4, 2015 • 3 p.m. /1 p.m./12 p.m. • Memorial Field • Kearney, Neb.
Series Record: ESU leads 30-18
Last Meeting: at ESU 5, UNK 4 (March 23, 2014)
Radio: KGFW 1340AM (UNK radio) Internet Audio:
kgfw.com (UNK radio)Internet Video:
http://portal.stretchinternet.com/esu/Live Stats Notes in pdfUp Next: vs. Washburn • April 7, 2015 • Glennen Field/Trusler • Emporia, Kan.
PRE-EASTER TRIP
The Hornets travel to Kearney, Neb. for a key MIAA series against the Lopers. Emporia State and Neb.-Kearney are two of the four MIAA teams with at least 20 wins entering this weekend. The Hornets are 2.5 games behind the Lopers in the MIAA standings. They are the two highest scoring teams in the MIAA with each averaging over eight runs per game.
LAST AT BAT
In a non-conference battle of the top hitting team and the top pitching teams in the MIAA, offense prevailed as Emporia State used a six run third inning to take control on the way to an 11-1 run rule win over #26 Missouri Southern on Tuesday at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Lions scored first with a single run in the second before the Hornets put up their six runs in the third. Emporia State added two runs in the fourth, and a single run in the sxith before ending the game early with two runs in the bottom fo the eighth. Justin Harris was four for five with a double, a homer, four runs scored and three RBI. Dean Long went three for five with a double, three RBI and a run scored. Jagger Harjo went 6.0 innings and allowed one run on five hits to pick up his first win.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is Bob Fornelli is 465-201 in his 12th season at Emporia State and is 771-314 overall in his 19th year as a four year head coach. He is the fourth winningest active coach in NCAA Division II and is 15th in total victories. He has led Emporia State to two Division II World Series appearances in nine NCAA Tournaments. Fornelli has taken teams to the NCAA Tournament 14 times, and was the national runner-up in 2009 with Emporia State and in 2000 while at Ft. Hays State.
Damon Day is 325-301 in his 12th season at Neb.-Kearney.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 20-7 on the season, 12-7 in the MIAA. In the latest NCAA statistics the Hornets are fourth in the nation in doubles per game and slugging percentage and rank seventh in home runs and stolen bases per game. Justin Harris is leading the MIAA and ranked in the top ten nationally in batting average, stolen bases, doubles and triples per game. Dean Long leads the MIAA and is ranked in the top ten in the nation in home runs and RBI per game.
SCOUTING THE LOPERS
Neb.-Kearney is 21-10 on the year and 15-5 in the MIAA. They lead the nation in doubles per game and in getting hit by pitch.
THE SERIES
Thursday will be the 49th meeting between the Hornets and Lopers with Emporia State leading the series 30-18.
LAST AT BAT VS. NEB.-KEARNEY
Emporia State held on for a 5-4 victory over Neb.-Kearney to earn a split in the four game series at Trusler. The Hornets got on top early scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Dakota McKaskle cruised through the first five innings, allowing just two hits while striking out four. The Lopers tied the score in the top of the sixth and the Hornets responded with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Lopers made it interesting with three runs in the top of the eighth. Matt Hinkley came on in relief and got an out before handing the ball over to Brenton Higgins to close out the game. Justin Harris was two for three with two RBI while Tory Bell had two RBI and a run scored. McKaskle picked up the win after giving up three runs on six hits over 7.0 innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Higgins gave up two hits in the final 1.2 innings with two strikeouts to earn the save.
He's a winner
Emporia State head baseball coach Bob Fornelli has 771 career wins and is 465-201 (.698) in his 12th season at Emporia State. Fornelli is the second winningest coach at Emporia State behind Dave Bingham who was 557-223 (.714) in 14 years from 1974-87. Last year was the Hornets ninth trip to the NCAA Tournament in 11 years and he has twice led Emporia State to the Division II World Series, in 2006 and 2009. He has taken teams to the NCAA Tournament in 14 of his 18 years as a collegiate coach.
Fornelli, a 1991 graduate of Emporia State, spent seven years at Ft. Hays State where he compiled a 306-113 record and led the Tigers to the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2000 and was in the NCAA regional tournament six times.
Prior to his time in Hays, Fornelli was the pitching coach at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kan., from 1991 until 1996. During his tenure the Grizzlies were 195-86 and finished third in the NJCAA World Series in 1994.
Fornelli, a native of Lenexa, Kan., was an honorable mention All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference catcher for the Hornets as a senior after transferring from BCCC. He is married to the former Jill Harris of Madison, Kan. The couple has three daughters - Emma, Rylie and Addison.
POWER AND LIGHT DISTRICT
Emporia State is ranked in the top ten nationally in six categories. The Hornets are fourth in the nation in slugging percentage and doubles per game. They are ranked seventh in the nation in home runs and stolen bases per game. They are ranked ninth nationally in team batting average and tenth in on base percentage. Justin Harris is seventh in the nation in stolen bases per game, eighth in batting average and ninth in doubles per game. Dean Long is ranked fifth in the nation in home runs per game, sixth in RBI per game and ninth in slugging percentage.
MOUND PRESENCE
Emporia State's starting pitchers have 100 strike outs with just 38 walks in 122.2 innings. Last season the Hornet pitching staff was third in the nation in strikeout to walk ratio with 427 K's and only 132 base on balls. Travis Hendry is 5-1 on the season with a 3.53 ERA. He has 29 strikeouts and just 14 walks. Garrett Brummett is 3-2 with a 4.64 ERA and leads Emporia State with 37 K's and only six walks in 33.0 innings. Shawn Talkington has moved into the closer role. He is 3-2 on the season with a 4.78 ERA but is 1-1 with a 0.93 ERA and three saves in six appearances out of the bullpen. He has 17 strikeouts and just one walk in 9.2 relief innings.
ON DECK
The Hornets return to the Trusler Sports Complex for their next five games beginning with a single non-conference game against Washburn on Tuesday, April 7. First pitch from Glennen Field is set for 6:00 p.m.
