#29 Emporia State Hornets (3-4, 0-0 MIAA)
vs Newman Jets (1-2, 0-0 HC) •
Live Stats
Saturday, Feb. 24 • 3:00 p.m. • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Sunday, Feb. 25 • 1:00 p.m. • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Monday, Feb. 26 • 1:00 p.m. • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: ESU leads 62-33 Last Meeting: ESU 15, NWMSU 5 (April 28, 2017)
Up Next: Southwest Baptist • Mar.. 2-4, 2018
Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
MIAA PLAY
Emporia State plays host to Northwest Missouri in a three game series to open MIAA play on February 24-26.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State took game one (7-1) of the three game series on Thursday at Newman. Trevor Turner had three hits and scored two runs in four at bats. Brian Grove had the Hornets lone home run bringing in three RBI. Mack Gowing had two hits and two RBI in three at bats. Mason Brown, Kyle Lopez and Garrett Francis each added one hit for the Hornets.
The Jets got on the board first with two runs in the top of the second inning, but the Hornets used a 12 run bottom half to blow the game open. The Hornets had 13 hits and batted around in their big inning. The Hornets scored one in the fourth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth.
The Hornets completed the series sweep of Newman with a 10-7 win in game three. The Jets jumped out to a two run lead in the first inning but the Hornets battled before a seven run, four hit seventh inning to take the lead 10-6. The Jets ended the scoring with one run in the eighth for a 10-7 final.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 572-246 in his 15th season at Emporia State and is 878-359 overall in his 22nd year as a four year head coach. He has led Emporia State to two Division II World Series appearances in ten NCAA Tournaments. Fornelli is 41-12 against the Bearcats.
Darin Loe is 442-443 in his 18th year as head coach for the Bearcats.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets have a team batting average of .292 while allowing opponents an average of .325. The Hornets have had 336 at bats with 98 hits for 70 runs on the season.
At the Plate
Bryce Fischer and Trevor Turner lead the Hornets with a .452 batting avg. Fischer leads the Hornets with 19 hits followed by Turner with 12, Mack Gowing and Brian Grove each with 12 and Kaden Shaffer with 11. Fischer and Grove lead the Hornets with 10 scored runs each.
On the Mound
Adam Thies and Seth Holman each have 16 K's. Holman has pitched 16.2 innings with an ERA of 5.40 and is 1-1 on the season. Thies has pitched 13 innings with an ERA of 6.92 and is 1-1 on the season.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Northwest Missouri is 3-6 to start the season. Jay Hrdlicka leads the Bearcats with a .381 batting avg, eight hits and four runs. Kevin Handzlik bats .304 with seven hits followed by Alixon Herrera with six hits and one run. Joseph Hietpas leads the Bearcats with a 2.19 era in 12.1 innings pitched and 15 K's.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE BEARCATS
The #11 Hornets team swept Northwest Missouri to clinch MIAA regular season championship with four games to go. The Hornets won 10-4 in game one. The Hornets outhit the Bearcats 11-10 in the game. Seth Holman pitched seven innings allowing eight hits and four runs with seven K's. In game two of the double header the Hornets had 13 at bats scoring 10 runs on their way to a 15-5 victory in seven innings. Tanner Cairns picked up the win on the mound allowing one run on five hits in six innings.
SERIES HISTORY
Emporia State leads the all-time series 62-33 over Northwest Missouri. The Hornets have won the last seven meetings dating back to April 11, 2015.
ON DECK
The Hornets play host to Southwest Baptist March 2-4 at Trusler Sports Complex.
