March 29, 2016-The #10 Emporia State baseball team was held to just one run on eight hits in an 8-1 loss to Missouri Western on Tuesday night at the Trusler Sports Complex.
The Griffons scored two runs on two hits and a walk in the top of the first before Hornet starter Tanner Cairns got a strikeout to end the inning. The true freshman would record four strikeouts in the second inning, allowing a runner on a wildpitch third strike, to run his string to five straight before giving up another run on three hits in the third to go up 3-0.
The Hornets finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a pair of singles, a hit batter and an RBI walk by Braxon Byfield in the fourth, but left two runners in scoring position when Byfield was picked off first. Jordan Plank, who came on in relief of Cairns with runners on second and third with one out in the top of the fourth and a 3-2 count on Cosimo Canella and got out of the inning, recorded a shutdown fifth to start to turn the momentum. Wade Hanna singled with two outs in the bottom of the fifth and Evan Koehler almost tied the game with fly ball to teh deepest part of Glennen Field that was caught at the wall in center field.
Missouri Western went up 5-1 in the top of the sixth on two hits and had two runners on before Jason Tetuan ended the inning with a strikeout. Ozzie Rodriguez hit a two run homer to give the Griffons a 7-1 lead going into the seventh inning stretch. Jeremy Alvarado gave Mo. Western their final run with a solo homer in the top of the ninth for the final score.
THE NUMBERS
Hornet pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts in the game, but gave up eight runs on 11 hits with four walks. Levi Ashmore, Daniel LaMunyon and BJ Dean all had two hits for the Hornets, but did not have a run or RBI.
UP NEXT
Emporia State plays host to Central Oklahoma this weekend in a three game series. First pitch of the series is set for Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the Trusler Sports Complex.
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