March 15, 2016-The #19 Hornets used a four run fourth inning and four innings of shut out pitching from their bullpen to secure a 7-5 win over Newman on Tuesday in Wichita, Kan.
EARLY GOING
Daniel LaMunyon continued to swing a hot bat for the Hornets, giving Emporia State a 1-0 lead in the top of the second with a lead off home run. Newman answered with four runs in the bottom of the second on five singles and a walk. Four of the five hits didn't leave the infield as the Jets took a 4-1 lead. With two outs in the top of the third Evan Koehler drew the first of his three walks on the night and scored on a Wade Hanna double. LaMunyon followed with a double to plate Hanna and pull the Hornets within 4-3.
MIDDLE INNING COMEBACK
The Jets got a lead off homer from Mitchell Beaudreau in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. Koehler walked to lead off the top of the fifth and went to second on Hanna's single through the right side. Back to back walks to LaMunyon and Dalton Wheat scored Koehler and left the bases loaded for Derek Franics. He singled through the right side to plate Hanna and tie the score at 5-5. After a Taylor Steen pop up to second, Ryan McBroom hit a foul ball out to first that LaMunyon was able to score on to give Emporia State a 6-5 lead. With runners on the corners and two outs, Francis stole second and Wheat was able to score on a throwing error by the Jets catcher to give the Hornets an insurance run.
SOLID RELIEF
Hornet starter Jake Eikleberry finished off the fifth and handed the ball to the bullpen. Three Emporia State relievers combined to allow just one hit and two walks with six strikeouts over the final 4.0 innings. Jason Tetuan gave up a lead off walk before retiring three straight to end the sixth. After getting a strike out to start the seventh, Shane Davies allowed the only hit by a Hornet reliever along with a walk before getting out of the inning with a ground out. Garrett Brummett worked a perfect eighth and ninth to record his fifth save of the year. He struck out the first two and last two batters he faced around a foul out and ground ball to short.
THE NUMBERS
Daniel LaMunyon went two for four with a homer, a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Wade Hanna was two for five with a double, two runs and two RBI. Derek Francis had a single and double in four at bats with an RBI. Evan Koehler was one for two with a double, three walks and two runs scored. Jake Eikleberry went 5.0 innings, giving up five runs on nine hits with three strikeouts to pick up the win, while Garrett Brummet worked two perfect innings for the save.
UP NEXT
The #19 Hornets will play host to Ft. Hays State in a three game MIAA series this weekend. Game one is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Friday at Glennen Field in the Trusler Sports Complex.
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