March 13, 2016-The #18 Hornets left seven runners on base, with four of them in scoring position, as they were shut out for the first time in 85 games in a 5-0 loss at #22 Missouri Southern. It is the second game of the three game series with the series decider set for Monday afternoon.
EARLY CHANCES
After going down in order in the first, Wade Hannah led off the second with a double and went to third on a BJ Dean ground out. Derek Francis walked and after a line out by Alex White stole second. The threat ended on a ground out to short to end the inning. Emporia State also placed a runner on second in the third inning and had two on in the sixth but could not get a run across.
BREAKING THROUGH
Both starting pitchers were both effective during the first three and a half innings. Missouri Southern got on the board in the bottom of the fourth against the Hornets Matt Slauter with a one out homer by Brett Graham. Slauter got a strike out following the homer, but then gave up a walk, single and double to go up 2-0. Tanner Cairns relieved Slauter to start the fifth and after giving up a walk, got a double play for two quick outs. Chris Hoffman then beat out an infield single, stole second and went to third on a throwing error. After a walk put runners at first and third, Graham singled in Hoffman for a 3-0 MSSU lead. Cairns walked Hayden Steele to load the bases and was relieved by Nathan Whitcomb. Matt Smith singled to score one, but Dean was able to gun down Cain at the plate to avoid further damage. The final run came across in the sixth when Richie Gorski doubled, went to third on a sac bunt and scored on a sac fly.
THE NUMBERS
Wade Hannah was the only Hornet with more than one hit, going two for five. Matt Slauter took the loss, giving up two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks.
UP NEXT
The Hornets and Lions will meet in the third and final game of the series on Monday at 1:00 p.m. at Warren Turner Field in Joplin, Mo.
