May 15, 2015-Emporia State saw their season come to an end with a 4-2 loss to Henderson State in the second round of the NCAA Central Regional in St. Cloud, Minn. The Hornets end the season with a 39-16 record.
The Hornets had three runners reach base with an error, single and fielder's choice in the top of the first but could not score with caught stealing and force out in the inning. The first four Reddies all reached base in the bottom of the first. Garrett Brummett relieved starter Jarrod Miller with one run in and the bases loaded and got two quick outs. They almost got out of the inning with only one run when Conner Brackhahn blooped a single just over short to score two more runs and give HSU a 3-0 lead. The Reddies added another run in the fourth on a fielder's choice to take a 4-0 lead.
Emporia State got on the board in the sixth when Dean Long singled to right and scored from first on Evan Koehler's double to left center. Tory Bell walked to bring the tying run to the plate when Henderson State got the first of two inning ending double plays. Dalton Wheat led off the eighth with a triple to center and scored on Long's single to left to pull the Hornets within 4-2. The Reddies then brought in All-Region closer Nick Vanthillo who walked Koehler to give the Hornets two on with nobody out. Vanthillo then got a strike out and the second inning ending double play to end the threat.
Brummett worked 6.0 innings and allowed just one run on six hits with three strikeouts. Shawn Talkington started the seventh inning and pitched 2.0 innings with just two hits and three strikeouts. Long went three for four with a run and an RBI.
The Hornets finished the season 39-16 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the tenth time in the last 12 years.
NOTES
Talkington had three strikeouts and moved into fifth on the Emporia State career list with 215 strikeouts.
Justin Harris finished his career with 170 hits to move into a tie for sixth on the Emporia State career list and 93 this this season to move into a tie for seventh on the Hornet single season list.
