February 19, 2017-The #30 Hornets scored in the ninth to force extra innings, but could not complete the comeback in a 7-6 loss to #35 Missouri S&T in 11 innings on Sunday at the Trusler Sports Complex. Emporia State still won their final non-conference weekend series 2-1.
For the third straight game the Miners scored in the first inning.The first five Miners reached base and three scored before the Hornets were able to get out of the inning. Emporia State got on the board with a Tate Kastens solo home run in the second. Then in the third Jonny Hodges led off with a single and went tothird on Levi Ashmore's double down the left lield line. Tucker Perkins hit a sac fly and then BJ Dean gave the Hornets the lead with a two run homer.
S&T evened the score with a single run in the top of the fifth. Wade Hanna led off the bottom of the sixth with a triple to right center and came home to give the Hornets a 5-4 lead on Kasten's sac fly. Matt Knickerbocker got the Miners back into a tie with a pinch hit solo home run with two outs in the eighth. They then took the lead in top of the ninth on an RBI single from Zach Bracken with one out in the night.
For the second straight game, the Hornets rallied in the ninth. Ashmore led off with a walk and pinch runner David Oropeza stole second, then went to third on a wild pitch. Tucker Perkins, who drive in the tying runs in Saturday's game, singled up the middle to tie the game at 6-6. Daniel LaMunyon pinch ran for him and went to second on single by Dean. Kaden Shaffer hit a hard grounder to short that deflected back to second base. LaMunyon was running on the play, slipped when he rounded third and was caught in a run down for the second out. Hanna ended the inning with a flyout as the Hornets went to extra innings.
Neither team scored in the tenth and the Miners took the lead with a single from Eli Miller, sac bunt, fly ball and a single by Adam Richter. The Hornets got two base runners on in the bottom of the 11th but could not score.
Dean was three for six with two RBI, and a run on two singles and a two run homer. Perkins went two for four with two RBI while Kastens was two for five with two RBI and a run scored. Nathan Whitcombe took the loss, allowing one run in 2.0 innings on two hits with two strikeouts.
The Hornets will open MIAA play next weekend when they play host to Pittsburg State in a three game series. First pitch on Friday is set for 2:00 p.m. at Glennen Field in the Trusler Sports Complex.
