February 11, 2017 - The #30 Hornets took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the seventh before sealing the deal with four runs in the bottom of the eighth to win 10-5 over Metro State-Denver Saturday afternoon. Emporia State improved to 4-1 on the season and leads the series 2-0 against the Roadrunners.
Metro State-Denver had three runs on three hits in the first inning to take an early lead, extending the lead 4-1 after the top of the third. After Emporia State left runners in scoring position in both the first and second, they answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third. BJ Dean singled up the middle to bring home both Mason Brown and Taylor Sanagorski, narrowing the gap 4-2. Kaden Shaffer followed with a single up the middle when the Roadrunners made a fielding error to bring in Dean and close the gap 4-3.
The Hornets tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth when Mack Gowing singled through the right side, advancing Jonny Hodges who then went home on another Metro State-Denver fielding error.
Both teams were scoreless in the fifth and sixth inning before the Roadrunners would take the lead again, 5-3, in the top of the seventh. Dean and Brown scored in the bottom of the seventh when Dean attempted to steal third, causing two fielding errors by Metro State-Denver. After seven, the Hornets led 6-5. The Roadrunners did not score in the eighth inning.
Three straight singles to begin the bottom of the eighth inning started a rally for the Hornets. Brown was the third to single and send Gowing home to go up 7-5 with no outs. Dean sac flied to send Sanagorski home. Kaden Shaffer had another base hit for Emporia State to plate David Oropeza who pinch ran for Brown. Shaffer stole third, forcing a throwing error and scoring.
Shaffer hit three for five with two RBI and two stolen bases against the Roadrunners. Dean hit two for four with three RBI and two runs. Brown hit two for four and scored twice. Tyler Buss picked up his first win on the season pitching 2.2 innings with two walks and two strikeouts, allowing just one hit.
The #30 Hornets finish their home opening series on Sunday, Feb. 12. First pitch will be at 12:00 p.m. on Glennen Field at Trusler Sports Complex.
