April 5, 2016-The #11 Hornets scored seven runs on the reigning MIAA Pitcher of the Week on the way to a 12-2 run rule win at Missouri Western on Tuesday night.
STARTING SMALL
Neither team could score more than a run per inning in the first three innings with the Hornets breaking on top in the first thanks to a Dalton Wheat RBI single. The Griffons answered with a two out RBI single from Ozzie Rodriguez in the bottom of the second and took the lead on a sac fly from Nick Gawley in the bottom of the third.
BIG INNING
The Hornets would take the lead in the top of the fourth as they batted around for the fourth time in their last two games. BJ Dean and Tucker Perkins started things with back to back doubles. After a sac bunt by Alex White, Taylor Steen reached on an error by the Griffon second baseman that plated Perkins. Levi Ashmore then doubled and Wade Hannah drove in Steen with a single to give the Hornets a 4-2 lead. Evan Koehler followed with a two run double and came home on Daniel LaMunyon's double, the fifth two-bagger of the inning, to give the Hornets a 7-2 lead.
FINISHING IT OFF
Perkins laced a two RBI single in the sixth to put the Hornets up 9-2 and Ryan McBroom delivered the final blow with a three run homer in the top of the seventh to give Emporia State a ten run lead.
After giving up two runs in the first three innings, starter Matt Slauter settled in and did not allow a run over his final 2.1 innings of work. Shane Davies worked the final two innings allowing two hits and a hit batter before ending the game with a called third strike in the bottom of the seventh.
THE NUMBERS
Perkins went two for four with three RBI and a run scored while Hanna was two for four with three runs and an RBI. Koehler went one for four with a walk but had two RBI and two runs scored. Ashmore was two for five with two doubles and two runs scored.
Slauter worked 5.0 innings allowing two runs on seven hits with a strike out and no walks. Davis finished up allowing no runs on two hits in the final 2.0 innings of action.
UP NEXT
Emporia State travels to Warrensburg, Mo. over the weekend for a three game set against league leading Central Missouri. The #11 Hornets are one game back of the #26 Mules in the MIAA standings. First pitch of the series is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday night at Crane Stadium/Thompkins Field.
Â
