March 18, 2018-Emporia State got 15 hits including four doubles on the way to an 11-1 win in eight innings on Sunday to complete a three game sweep over Minnesota-Duluth at the Trusler Sports Complex.
Tanner Arst had two of the doubles and four RBI in the first three innings as Emporia State took a 5-1 lead after three. Neither team scored in the middle three innings although the Hornets left the bases loaded in the fourth and sixth.Â
Emporia State exploded for five runs in the seventh inning. Trevor Turner and Garret Francis each worked one out walks and Mack Gowing got an RBI single to start the scoring. Mason Brown was hit by a pitch before Bryce Fischer and Kaden Shaffer delivered back to back RBI singles to put the Hornets up 8-1. Brian Grove then capped the scoring for the inning with a two run single as Emporia State took a 10-1 lead into the eighth inning.
Layne Downing relieved Tanner Cairns on the hill to start the eighth gave up a double and walk before retiring his final two batters. In the bottom of the eighth Max Laney had a pinch hit single and with one out Jack Wilson delivered an RBI double to the wall in right center that scored Laney from first and ended the game.
Cairns went 7.0 innings and gave up one run on three hits with a walk and seven strike outs. Grove went two for four with three RBI and two runs scored while Arst was two for four with four RBI.
The Hornets get back into MIAA action on Tuesday when they travel to Missouri Western. First pitch in St. Joseph, Mo. is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
