February 14, 2016-The #38 Hornets scored five runs in the final three innings but it was not enough to overcome five unearned runs by Metro State in the first two innings as the RoadRunners salvaged the final game of the series 6-5 in Denver, Colo. on Sunday afternoon.
BAD START
The RoadRunners took their first lead of the series with a run in the bottom of the first and added five unearned runs in the second. With two on and one out Jake Thurston reached on an error to load the bases. Jake Eikleberry got a strike out on the next batter that should have gotten the Hornets out of the inning, but was just the second out. He then hit a batter to drive in Metro State's second run and then Andrew Paust hit a grand slam to make it 6-0 after two innings.
SCORELESS MIDDLE
Jacob Tetuan came on to start the third inning for the Hornets and worked 3.0 perfect innings with five strikeouts in his one time through the line up. After giving up two hits and a walk in the first two innings, Metro State's starter Javi Vega nearly matched Tetuan over the next three innings, only surrendering a single to Taylor Steen in the fifth.
SCORING AT THE END
Derek Francis got the Hornets on the board with a home run to left center with one out in the seventh while Steen and Jonny Hodges had back to back single with two outs to start to get to Vega, but they would be left stranded. Levi Ashmore worked a walk off reliever Cale O'Donnell to open the eighth and BJ Dean hit a two run homer pull the Hornets within 6-3 headed to the ninth. Trent Maloney moved from third to pitcher to start the ninth for the RoadRunners and walked Alex White on four pitches. With one out Hodges hit a double to put runners at second and third for the top of the order. Dalton Wheat delivered another double that scored White and Hodges to pull the Hornets within a run. Wheat went to third on Ashmore's ground out and Maloney was able to get Evan Koehler to strike out to end the rally.
THE NUMBERS
Dean went one for four with the two run homer while Wheat was one for five with the two RBI double. Steen and Hodges both had two hits for the Hornets as well. Eikleberry took the loss, giving up six runs but only one earned in 2.0 innings. The Hornet bullpen delivered 6.0 innings of shutout relief with Tetuan working 3.0 perfect while striking out five of nine batters faced. Jordan Plank gave up two hits and had two strikeouts in 1.2 innings while Garrett Brummett faced just four batters in 1.1 innings with one hit and two strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will continue in their nine game road swing as they head to Stephenville, Texas next weekend to take on Tarleton State. Â Â
