May 18, 2017-Top seeded Emporia State jumped out to a 10-2 lead before settling for a 10-8 win over Ark.-Monticello in the first round of the NCAA Division II Baseball Central Regional at the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan.
The Hornets scored at least two runs in each of the first four innings to get out to a 9-1 lead. Mason Brown had an RBI ground out and Mack Gowing had an RBI single in the first. Emporia State got a pair of unearned runs in the second inning when Kaden Shaffer reached on an error to start the inning, then scored on an RBI double from Ryan McBroom. Levi Ashmore then made it 4-0 with an RBI ground out.
Emporia State got three runs in the third on an RBI single from Mack Gowing, a sac fly by BJ Dean and a bases loaded walk by Ashmore to go up 7-0. The Weevils got on the board with a sac fly from Andres Rios in the top of the fourth. The Hornets answered with and RBI single from Gowing and a sack fly by Shaffer to take a 9-1 lead after five innings. Lathan McFadden hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth for UAM, but Emporia State answered in the bottom of the inning when McBroom hit his third double of the game to drive in Ashmore for a 10-2 lead.
Seth Holman went 7.0 innings before turning the game over to the bullpen in the eighth. Rios delivered an RBI single that bounced just over Shaffer at first base for the first of three runs in the top of the eighth for the Weevils. Guy Halbert then delivered an RBI single to left center followed by an Alex Smith single down the third base line to make it 10-5 before Trey Taylor came in to get the final out of the inning. Layne Downing started the ninth for the Hornets but gave up a singleand a walk before Brian Ray homered to straight away centerfield to make it a two run game. Nathan Whitcomb then came in to get the final three outs and record his 11th save of the year.
McBroom went three for four with three doubles, an RBI and two runs scored while Gowing was three for four with three RBI and a run scored. Holman allowed just two runs on six hits with no walks and five strikeouts as he won his 11th game of the year.Â
With the win Emporia State advances to the second round to play Lindenwood. Game time is tentatively set for 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19 at the Trusler Sports Complex.
