March 30, 2017-For just the second time this year the #9 Emporia State baseball team lost a series opener, falling 9-5 at Central Oklahoma on Thursday afternoon in Edmond, Okla.
Central Oklahoma scored twice in the bottom of the first but Emporia State responded with runs in the top of the second. The first five Hornets reached base and scored in the inning. The Bronchos answered with three runs in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 5-5.
As much offense as there was the first two innings the next two saw the minimum number of batters reach base for both teams. UCO retook the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, the last one coming on a double steal. They added two more in the bottom fo the sixth, both of home scored after getting hit by a pitch to reach base.
Mack Gowing tripled in Kaden Shaffer in the top of the eighth to pull the Hornets within 9-6, but they would get just one base runner the rest of the game as they fell to 23-6 on the year and 12-3 in the MIAA.
Seth Holman took the loss, giving up seven runs on 11 hits with just one strikeout in 4.1 innings. Shaffer was two for four with two runs scored and an RBI while Alex White went one for four with two RBI.Â
The Hornets and Bronchos will continue their series on Friday afternoon in Edmond.  First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. with  the series set to end on Saturday.Â
