February 28, 2016-The #30 Emporia State baseball team pounded out 20 hits, 12 of them for extra bases, on the way to a 20-5 run rule win over Pittsburg State on Sunday in Pittsburg. With the win the Hornets open the season with a series sweep and improve to 9-3 on the year.
EARLY AND OFTEN AND LATE
The Hornets scored five runs on four hits with an error in the first inning, chasing Pitt State starter Blake Vail afer just seven batters. After the Gorillas got a run back in the bottom of the first, the Hornets answered quickly with another run in the top of the second. Emporia State added three runs in the fourth and four in the fifth to go up 13-2. Pittsburg State added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to pull within 13-4 before the Hornets exploded for seven runs in the top of the seventh.
EXTRA, EXTRA!
Emporia State had five doubles, three triples and four home runs as they plated 20 runs in back to back games for the first time in their 25 years as members of the MIAA and NCAA Division II. Evan Koehler went five for six with two home runs, a double, four RBI and six runs scored. Levi Ashmore was three for six with two homers, six RBI and four runs. Wade Hanna had five RBI with a single, double, and triple while scoring two runs. BJ Dean was three for six with two doubles and a triple, with two runs scored and an RBI. Dalton Wheat went three for four with a triple, an RBI and a run while Ryan McBroom had a double and reached on an error in five plate appearances to round out the extra base hits.
ON THE MOUND
Jordan Plank went 4.0 innings in the seven inning game to pick up the win. He allowed two runs, one of them unearned on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Jacob Tetuan, Grant Bachura and Barrett Brummett each worked one inning in relief.
799 AND COUNTING
With the win Hornet Coach Bob Fornelli now has 799 career wins in his 20th season as a head coach at the four year level. He is the fourth winningest active coach by percentage in Division II and ranked 13th in total victories.
UP NEXT
The Hornets are scheduled to play host to Newman on Tuesday, March 1 at the Trusler Sports Complex. Weather permitting, first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
