February 19, 2016-Evan Koehler went three for five with three RBI and Tyler Stubblefield struckout ten in 7.0 innings as #30 Emporia State defeated Tarleton State 7-4 on Friday afternoon in Stephenville, Texas.
IN FRONT EARLY
The Hornets got things started early, scoring four runs on four hits in the top of the first. Dalton Wheat walked and Levi Ashmore doubled before Evan Koehler hit an RBI single to get the scoring started. BJ Dean hit a sac fly for the first out and second run of the inning. Wade Hanna singled and Alex White delivered a two run single for the early 4-0 lead.
HOMERUN OR NOTHING
After Tyler Stubblefield stretched his scoreless inning streak to 10.2 in the first, the Texans got to him with back to back home runs from Landon Thompson and Zach McCown to start the bottom of the second. Koehler answered in the top of the third with a lead off homer of his own to give the Hornets a 5-2 lead. Tarleton cut the lead to 5-4 on a two run shot by Jake Hasbrouck in the bottom of the fifth inning.
INSURANCE
In the top of the seventh Dalton Wheat was hit by a pitch with one out and promptly stole second. He came home when Levi Ashmore hit a grounder to short that turned into a fielder's choice and an error. The Hornets final run was also unearned when Ryan McBroom reached on an error by the second baseman and scored on a double by Koehler.
STRONG OUTING
Tyler Stubblefield gave up four runs on six hits with ten strikeouts and no walks in 7.0 innings for the win. Grant Bachura and Garrett Brummett each worked a perfect inning in relief with Brummett getting his second save of the season. The ten strikeouts are the most by a Hornet in a game since Brummett K'd ten against Missouri Western on Feb. 20, 2015.
UP NEXT
With a 90% chance of rain in Stephenville, Texas on Sunday, the teams have decided to play a double header on Saturday. The seven inning first game will get underway at 12 noon with a nine inning game to follow.
