Emporia State Hornets (38-17, 27-12 MIAA)
vs. #9 Central Missouri Mules (39-13, 32-7 MIAA)
NCAA Central Regional Tournament
Series Record: UCM leads 121-60 Last Meeting: at UCM 7, ESU 5 (April 10, 2016)
May 20, 2016 • 8:30 p.m. • Joe Faber Field • St. Cloud, Minn.
Radio: KFFX 104.9FM Internet Audio: kvoe.com
Up Next: vs. TBA
May 21, 2016 • winners at 7:00 p.m./losers at 3:00 p.m.
MAY MADNESS
Emporia State will face #9 Central Missouri in the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in school history and first time since 2011 in San Antonio, Texas.
LAST AT BAT
In a game that did not finish until after midnight, Tyler Stubblefield tossed a complete game four hitter as Emporia State shut out #29 Minnesota-Duluth 4-0 to end the first day of the NCAA Central Regional Tournament. Stubblefield retired the final eight batters he faced and became the first Hornet to throw back to back nine inning complete games since 2011. He had a season high 11 strikeouts and gave up just four hits and one walk. Daniel LaMunyon was two for five with a double, two runs and an RBI. Dalton Wheat was officially hitless in four at bats but scored two runs. Evan Koehler went one for two officially with an RBI and three walks as he reached base in each of his last four plate appearances.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 522-227 in his 13th season at Emporia State and is 828-340 overall in his 20th year as a four year head coach. He is the fourth winningest active coach in NCAA Division II and is 15th in total victories. He has led Emporia State to two Division II World Series appearances in nine NCAA Tournaments. Fornelli has taken teams to the NCAA Tournament 15 times, and was the national runner-up in 2009 with Emporia State and in 2000 while at Ft. Hays State. He is 20-20 in the NCAA Tournament. He is 22-44 against the Mules.
Kyle Crookes is 69-35 in his second year as head coach at Central Missouri. He is 1-0 in the NCAA Tournament. He is 2-3 against the Hornets.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 38-17 on the season, 27-12 in the MIAA, are the #6 seed in the Central Regional. The Hornets are ranked fourth in the nation in fielding percentage, fifth in doubles, sixth in runs, seventh in hits, tenth in scoring per game. Evan Koehler is ranked third in the nation in home runs and seventh in RBI. Garrett Brummett is sixth in the nation in strike outs per nine innings.
SCOUTING THE MULES
Central Missouri is 39-13, 32-7 and MIAA regular season and tourney champions, are the #3 seed in the Central Region and ranked #9 in the nation. Bennett Oliver is batting .348 with 22 homers and 54 RBI. Ethan Westphal is 9-2 with a 2.72 ERA while Grant Gavin is 4-3 with 10 saves and a 3.04 ERA.
THE SERIES
Central Missouri leads the all-time series 121-60 against Emporia State. The Hornets had won five straight before the Mules took the last two games of their series this season. UCM leads the series 7-1 in NCAA Tournament play with the one win being a 15-6 decision in Warrensburg in 2009 in the regional championship game.
LAST AT BAT AGAINST UCM
In a game befitting a top 30 match up, both teams came from behind twice to take a lead, however #26 Central Missouri got the final comeback against #11 Emporia State in a 7-5 Mules victory.
ON DECK
Both teams will play again on Saturday with the winner playing Minnesota State or Ark.-Monticello at 7 p.m. while the loser will play at 3 p.m. against St. Cloud State or Mo. Western.
HE'S A WINNER
Emporia State head baseball coach Bob Fornelli has 828 career wins and is 522-227 (.697) in his 13th season at Emporia State. Fornelli is the second winningest coach at Emporia State behind Dave Bingham who was 557-223 (.714) in 14 years from 1974-87. The Hornets have made 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament in his 13 years and he has twice led Emporia State to the Division II World Series, in 2006 and 2009. He has taken teams to the NCAA Tournament in 16 of his 20 years as a collegiate coach.
Fornelli, a 1991 graduate of Emporia State, spent seven years at Ft. Hays State where he compiled a 306-113 record and led the Tigers to the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2000 and was in the NCAA regional tournament five times.
He is the fourth winningest active coach in NCAA Division II and ranks 15th in career victories with a 828-340 (.709) record in his 20th season.
Prior to his time in Hays, Fornelli was the pitching coach at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kan., from 1991 until 1996. During his tenure the Grizzlies were 195-86 and finished third in the NJCAA World Series in 1994.
A native of Lenexa, Kan., he was an honorable mention All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference catcher for the Hornets as a senior after transferring from Butler County CC. He is married to the former Jill Harris of Madison, Kan. The couple has three daughters - Emma, Rylie and Addison.
HORNETS IN THE POSTSEASON
Emporia State is making their 12th overall, 11th in 13 years and third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Hornets have advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series twice, in 2006 and 2009. In 2009 they made it to the national championship game before falling 2-1 to Lynn. They have been to three regional championship games including a 6-3 loss to Minnesota State in 2014. Emporia State made five trips to the NAIA World Series before joining the NCAA in 1992. They were the NAIA National Champions in 1978, runners up in 1987 and finished third in 1976. The Hornets are tenth in the first regional rankings this season.
PUTTING UP RUNS
The Hornets lead the MIAA in four offensive categories with 487 runs scored, 129 doubles, a .330 batting average, a .524 slugging percentage and a .973 fielding percentage, they are second in the league with 646 hits and 442 RBI, and third with 69 home runs, 21 triples, a .411 on base percentage and 85 stolen bases. Emporia State is fourth in the nation in fielding percentage, fifth in doubles, sixth in runs scored, seventh in hits and tenth in scoring per game. They have scored at least ten runs in 21 games and at least 15 runs in ten games with four games in which they have scored at least 20 runs.
Evan Koehler is leading the MIAA and third in the nation with 22 home runs, is second in the MIAA and tenth in the nation with 73 RBI and is fourth in the league and ranks 24th nationally with a .747 slugging percentage. He is second in the MIAA with 44 walks and ranks tenth with 59 runs scored. Dalton Wheat is second in the league with 21 doubles, ranks third with 84 hits, is sixth with a .396 batting average, 60 RBI and 18 stolen bases, eighth with a .474 on base percentage, and is ninth with four triples. He has reached base safely in 27 straight games and had a 24 game hitting streak snapped in the MIAA Tournament. Wade Hanna is fifth in the MIAA with six triples. Derek Francis ranks sixth in the MIAA with five sac flies.
SWING AND MISS STUFF
The Hornets are leading the MIAA with 434 total strike outs, a 2.54 strikeout to walk ratio and a league low 3.31 walks per nine innings. They are second in the MIAA with a 4.32 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings and four shut outs.
Tyler Stubblefield is a semifinalist for the Brett Tomko Award as the top pitcher in NCAA Division II. He leads the MIAA with a 2.34 ERA and ten wins. He ranks second in the league with 101 strike outs, is third with 103.2 innings pitched while his opponents batting average of .228 ranks fifth in the MIAA. Garrett Brummett leads the MIAA and ranks sixth in the nation with 12.92 K/9IP. He is sixth in the MIAA in with five saves before moving into the starting rotation, is eighth in the league with a 3.48 ERA and ninth with 78 strike outs. Matt Slauter has allowed an MIAA low nine walks on the season and leads the league with a 5.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.27 walks allowed per nine innings. He is ninth in the league with six wins. Jordan Plank is ranked seventh in the MIAA with seven wins.
AROUND THE HORN
First baseman Evan Koehler (Sr./Wichita, Kan.) is a two-time First-Team All-MIAA selection and was named second team All-Region by both the D2CCA and NCBWA. He leads the MIAA in home runs, is ranked second in RBI and walks, is fourth in slugging percentage, and ranks tenth in runs scored. He is third in the nation in home runs this season and is ranked fifth among active players in NCAA Division II and seventh among all active NCAA Divisions with 36 career home runs. He is 14th in Division II with a .699 career slugging percentage. This season he is batting .335 with 22 home runs and 73 RBI.
Alex White (Jr./Colorado Springs, Colo.) is batting .310 with 19 RBI in 42 games with starts at both second and third base.
Tucker Perkins (Fr.-RS/Cleveland, Mo.) has moved into second base after spending much of the season at designated hitter. He is batting .364 with two home runs and 17 RBI in 39 games with 20 starts on the season.
Ryan McBroom (Jr./Wichita, Kan.) has a .992 fielding percentage with just one error in 125 chances and has emerged as a late inning defensive replacement at second base. He is batting .293 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 50 games this season with 27 starts.
Shortstop Levi Ashmore (Jr./Iola, Kan.) was named honorable mention All-MIAA. He is batting .294 with seven homers and 36 RBI in a team high 221 at bats. He has started all 55 games for Emporia State, with 54 of the starts at shortstop. He is a transfer from Neosho CC.
Third baseman Daniel LaMunyon (Jr./Shawnee, Kan.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer. He hit .438 with a team high seven RBI during the MIAA Tournament. On the season he is batting .335 with five home runs, 35 RBI and 14 stolen bases. He is a transfer from KCKCC.
Aaron Gile (Sr./Lawrence, Kan.) has played in 18 games with three starts this season. He went one for three with two walks, a triple and three runs scored against Lindenwood earlier this year.
OUT IN THE FIELD
Rightfielder Dalton Wheat (Sr./Augusta, Kan.) was a first-team All-MIAA pick. He was a first-team D2CCA All-Region pick and earned second team honors from the NCBWA. He is batting .396 with six home runs, 60 RBI, 59 runs and 18 stolen bases this season. He has seven outfield assists from right field this year. He is second in the league in doubles, ranks third in hits, sixth in batting average, RBI and stolen bases, eighth in on base percentage, and is ninth in triples. He has reached base safely in 27 straight games and had a 24 game hitting streak snapped in his last game at the MIAA Tournament.
Centerfielder Wade Hanna (Jr./Shawnee, Kan.) was a third-team All-MIAA selection. He is sixth for the Hornets in career base hits with 172 and at bats with 550 and is tied with several players for tenth on the Emporia State single season list with six triples. His six triples rank fifth in the MIAA this season.
Leftfielder Jonny Hodges (So./DeSoto, Kan.) has started 18 games in left field. He is batting .381 in 41 games and 22 total starts this season.
Outfielder BJ Dean (Jr./Pratt, Kan.) started 38 games with 32 starts in left field. He is batting .319 with nine home runs and 35 RBI in 50 games played. He is a transfer from Pratt CC.
BEHIND THE PLATE
The Hornets have had two catchers split time behind the plate this year.
Taylor Steen (Sr./Grand Forks, N.D.) has 39 starts in 41 games this season. He started 21 of the first 22 games this season before an injury sidelined him for nine of ten games from March 18 through April 5. He is batting .268 with 19 RBI on the season. He is a transfer from Indiana State.
Braxon Byfield (Jr./Wichita, Kan.) has started 16 of the last 37 games at catcher. He is hitting .353 with 14 RBI and 13 runs scored in 26 games this season.
AT THE PLATE
Designated hitter Derek Francis (Sr./Manhattan, Kan.) earned second-team All-MIAA honors at DH. He is sixth in the MIAA in sacrifice flies with five and is batting .331 with six home runs and 41 RBI. He is a transfer from Old Dominion.
START ME UP
Left handed pitcher Tyler Stubblefield (Jr./Lufkin, Texas) is 10-1 with a league best 2.34 ERA. He was a first-team All-MIAA selection and a semifinalist for the Brett Tomko Award as the top pitcher in NCAA Division II. He was named second-team All-Region by the D2CCA and was honorable mention NCBWA All-Region. He leads the MIAA in ERA and wins, He ranks second in the league in strike outs, is third in innings pitched while his opponents batting average ranks fifth in the MIAA.
He has thrown at least 7.0 innings in 11 of his 14 starts. He has thrown back to back complete games. He had a four hit shutout with 11 strike outs against Minn.-Duluth in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He tossed a nine inning complete game against Central Oklahoma in the Hornets MIAA Tournament opener, allowing three runs on nine hits with nine strikeouts. He has thrown three collegiate complete games including a four hitter for Texas A&M when he allowed two runs against Texas in the 2014 NCAA Regional.
START AND FINISH
Right handed pitcher Garrett Brummett (Sr./Concordia, Kan.) was a second-team All-MIAA selection as a relief pitcher. He is 6-2 with a 3.48 ERA and five saves on the season. He was the opening day starter for the Hornets before moving into the closer's role for the majority of the season. He returned to the starting lineup against Washburn on April 27 and is 2-0 with a 4.58 ERA with 22 strikeouts in his three starts since then. He leads the MIAA and ranks sixth in the nation with 12.92 strikeouts per nine innings. He is sixth in the MIAA saves, is eighth in the league with a 3.48 ERA and ninth with 78 strike outs.
WALK THE PLANK
Left handed pitcher Jordan Plank (Jr./Wichita, Kan.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection. He is 7-3 with a 4.35 EAR in 13 starts and 16 total appearances. His seven wins rank seventh in the MIAA.
MAD DASH
Right handed pitcher Matt Slauter (Jr./Olathe, Kan.) has allowed an MIAA low nine walks on the season and leads the league with a 5.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.27 walks allowed per nine innings. He is ninth in the league with six wins.
MORE THAN A JOCKEY
Left handed pitcher Jake Eikleberry (Sr./Byers, Colo.) is 3-2 on the season with a 5.63 ERA. He has appeared in 11 games with eight starts on the season, with five of the eight starts in midweek games.
OUT OF THE PEN
Right handed pitcher Jacob Tetuan (So./Topeka, Kan.) is 0-1 with a 5.24 ERA in 17 appearances out of the bullpen. He has 21 strike outs in 22.1 innings pitched.
Right handed pitcher Tevin Renkin (So./Little River, Kan.) is 1-0 with a 3.66 ERA in 15 appearances.He has 11 strike outs and four walks in 19.2 innings.
Right handed pitcher Trey Taylor (Fr.-RS/Paola, Kan.) is 2-0 with a 7.11 ERAin ten games. He has 12 strike outs in 12.2 innings pitched.
Left handed pitcher Shane Davies (Sr./Kansas city, Mo.) is 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA in a team high 19 relief appearances.
Left handed pitcher Grant Bachura (Sr./Council Grove, Kan.) is 0-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched during nine bullpen outings. He has not thrown since April 9 but is on the active roster for the regional.
TRENDS
Emporia State is outscoring opponents 90-24 in the fourth inning.
The Hornets are 21-0 when scoring in the first inning.
Emporia State is 33-3 when leading after the sixth inning.
The Hornets are 31-1 when scoring at least six runs in a game.
Emporia State is 28-3 when scoring first.
In the last two years Emporia State has played in 12 post season elimination games with ten wins.
RECORD BOOKS
Evan Koehler is ranked fifth among active players in NCAA Division II and seventh among all active NCAA Divisions with 36 career home runs. He is 14th in Division II with a .699 career slugging percentage. He is ranked third in career home runs at Emporia State and his 22 homers this year rank fourth on the single season list.
Wade Hanna is sixth for the Hornets in career base hits with 171 and at bats with 546 and is tied with several players for tenth on the Emporia State single season list with six triples.
COMEBACK KIDS
Emporia State has 16 come from behind wins this year, including six where they have trailed and ultimately won by at least ten runs. They have scored a tying or winning run in the eighth inning or later five times this season.
The Hornets had 24 come from behind wins last season including 13 games when trailing in the fourth inning or later. Dean Long hit a walk off three-run homer with two outs in Emporia State's 10-9 win over Missouri Southern in the first MIAA Tournament Championship game. The Hornets were being no hit and trailing 2-0 going into the bottom of the fifth inning of 2014's first MIAA Championship game before rallying for a 3-2 victory to prolong their season.
REGIONALLY SPEAKING
Emporia State is seeded sixth in the NCAA Central Region and are one of three MIAA teams in the regional. As a conference the MIAA was 75-60 (.556) in non-league action this year while the GAC went 73-89 (.451) and the NSIC was 74-106 (.411) overall. Against only Division II opponents, the MIAA was 72-59 (.550), the NSIC went 52-82 (.388) and the GAC was 50-80 (.385).
In inter-conference play the MIAA is 13-7 against the NSIC and 16-11 against the GAC. Six of the MIAA's wins against the NSIC were by teams that did not make the MIAA Tournament, including four wins against NSIC teams that were regionally ranked last week.
