Baseball | 3/20/2016 4:26:00 PM
Box Score March 20, 2016 - The Emporia State Hornets improved to 18-5 on the season and 10-2 in the MIAA Sunday afternoon with a 7-4 win over Fort Hays State.
QUICK START
The Hornets started off the game sitting down batters in order with a ground out to second and two strikeouts from Jordan Plank. When the Hornets came to bat it didn't take long to gain the lead. With one out Evan Koehler hit a single to left field that brought Wade Hanna home from second to put the Hornets up 1-0. Two batters later with two runners on base Dalton Wheat hit a double to left field which brought Evan Koehler and Daniel LaMunyon home to put the Hornets up 3-0 after one. This would be the last scoring until the fifth inning.
PLAYING WITH THE LEAD
Although the Hornets were unable to add to their lead, their defense held strong allowing only two hits through the first five innings of play. In the bottom of the fifth the Hornets would add three runs to extend the lead. Wade Hanna singled to left field to bring in Jonny Hodges from second base. Then on the first pitch thrown to Evan Koehler he was able to hit a long home run over the center field fence to give the Hornets a 6-0 lead. In the sixth inning the Hornets would keep two Tigers runners stranded on base before coming to bat. Derek Francis would score after hitting a single up the middle and advancing to third base on a pick off error by the pitcher. Tucker Perkins flied out to left field to bring Francis home. In the top of the seventh the Tigers were able to get four runs in before the Hornets end their half of the inning. This would be the final scoring of the game.
BY THE NUMBERS
Evan Koehler led the Hornets with three hits, two runs, and three RBI including one HR in four at bats. He was followed by Wade Hanna with two hits, two runs, and one RBI and Jonny Hodges with two hits and one run. Dalton Wheat, Levi Ashmore, Daniel LaMunyon, Derek Francis, and Tucker Perkins each added one hit for the Hornets. Jordan Plank started on the mound for the Hornets where he pitched six and one third innings, allowed three runs on five hits, and struck out four batters. Plank was replaced by Jacob Tetuan who pitched two thirds innings and allowed one run. Shane Davies then finished out the final two innings, allowing one hit and recording two strikeouts.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will travel to St. Joseph, Missouri to take on Missouri Western in a midweek matchup on Tuesday March 22, 2016.
