April 15, 2016-Traditional Tax Day was not a good day for #19 Emporia State as they were shut out 7-0 by Northeastern State on Friday at the Trusler Sports Complex. It was the first time the Hornets have been shut out at home since an 8-0 loss to Missouri Western on March 16, 2014.
ROUGH START
After getting the first two batters out, Hornet starter Tyler Stubblefield walked two RiverHawks on full counts before Dakota Woods hit a three run homer to give Northeastern State a 3-0 lead. Emporia State would load the bases on three walks in the bottom of the first but BJ Dean's fly ball to left came up just short of leaving the ball park as the Hornets left the bases loaded. The RiverHawks added two more runs in the fourth on back to back RBI singles by Justin Burgess and Gabriel Wurth to take a 5-0 lead. Stubblefield was relieved by Nathan Whitcomb to start the fifth inning after giving up five runs on six hits. It matched his shortest start as a Hornet. Northeastern State added single runs in the seventh and eighth to take a 7-0 lead.
RUNNERS ON
The Hornets had base runners in each of the first seven innings, but could not push across a run as they stranded 13 runners in the game. They had at least two runners on base in five of the first seven innings.
THE NUMBERS
Dalton Wheat was two for four and the only Hornet with more than one hit. Stubblefield suffered his first loss after giving up five runs in 4.0 innings on six hits with five strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Hornets and RiverHawks will play the second game of the series on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. on Glennen Field at the Trusler Sports Complex.
