June 17, 2015-Emporia State closer Shawn Talkington has signed a contract with the Wichita Wingnuts and joined the team for their game last night in Gary, Ind.  The Wingnuts are 15-8 this season and leading the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. 

Talkington was a First-Team All-MIAA pick as a reliever after earning first-team honors as a starter last year. He was 5-4 on the season with a 4.33 ERA and 63 strikeouts. He was ranked fifth in the nation in saves, 20th in appearances, and 38th in WHIP while leading the MIAA in all three of those categories. He was 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA and 12 saves in 21 appearances out of the bullpen. He had 47 strikeouts and just five walks in 38.0 relief innings. His 12 saves this year rank third on the Emporia State single season chart. He has 214 career strikeouts to rank fifth on the Emporia State career list. He ranks third for the Hornets in career appearances with 68, is fifth in career saves with 14 and is ninth with 21 wins and 236.1 innings pitched.

Emporia State ended the season 39-16, falling to eventual regional champion Henderson State in the NCAA Tournament. The Hornets have gone 81-35 over the last two years and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the tenth time in the last 12 years in 2015.

NOTE:
In addition to Talkington's signing with the Wingnuts, Dean Long was drafted by the Texas Rangers, Emporia State football player Austin Willis has signed with the Oakland Raiders, Lady Hornet basketball player Merissa Quick has signed to play with Clube Juvenil Boa Viagem in Portugal's top league for women, while Lady Hornet Amber Vandiver just finished the spring season with TOKIO DE POSADAS in Argentina.