Emporia State Hornets (13-10, 4-6 MIAA)
vs Missouri Southern (17-7, 5-5 MIAA)
Friday, Mar. 23 • 6:00 p.m. • Warren Turner Field • Joplin, Mo.
Saturday, Mar. 24 1:00 p.m. • Warren Turner Field • Joplin, Mo.
Sunday, Mar. 25 12:00 p.m. • Warren Turner Field • Joplin, Mo.
Series Record: ESU leads 63-32 Last Meeting: MSSU 4, ESU 1 (May 13, 2017)
Up Next: vs. Washburn • Mar. 27, 2018
Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan
Live Stats
ACROSS STATE LINES
Emporia State travels to Joplin, Missouri to take on Missouri Southern in a weekend series March 23-25.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State fell 7-6 to Missouri Western in midweek action.
The Hornets got on the board first with two runs in the top of the first but were unable to capitalize on the early lead. The Griffons got one run in the bottom of the second and another in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. In the bottom of the sixth, the Griffons took the lead with two runs. After a seven inning drought the Hornets drove in four runs in the top of the ninth to take a 6-4 lead. The Griffons answered quickly in the bottom of the inning with two runs to tie the game and force extra innings. In the bottom of the 11th the Griffons got one run to end the game 7-6.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 579-252 in his 15th season at Emporia State and is 885-365 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 34-20 against the Griffons.
Bryce Darnell is 314-239 in his 11th year as head coach for the Lions.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets have a team batting average of .298 while allowing opponents an average of .302. The Hornets have had 793 at bats with 236 hits for 174 runs on the season. Hornet pitchers have combined for 194 K's this season.
At the Plate
Bryce Fischer leads the Hornets with a .423 batting average, 41 hits and 25 runs. Mack Gowing has a .357 avg with 30 hits and 27 runs. Mason Brown, Brian Grove, Trevor Turner, Tate Kastens and Kaden Shaffer each have double digit hits and runs for the Hornets.
On the Mound
Seth Holman has 48 K's with an ERA of 4.93 through 42.0 innings with a record of 2-2. Taylor Thompson has 13 appearances, 21.0 innings, 16 K's and a 3.86 ERA. Max Simpson is 3-1 in six appearences, 26.2 innings with 30 K's.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
The Griffons start the season 17-7 overall, 5-5 in the MIAA. Cory Canterbury leads the Lions with a .415 batting avg, 27 hits and 13 runs. Alex Phillips has 26 hits in 78 at bats. Zac Shoemaker has an ERA of 2.48 in 32.2 innings pitched.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE LIONS
The Hornets fell 4-1 to the Lions to be eleminated from the 2017 MIAA Tournament. The Lions jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Hornets were unable to answer, getting just four hits in the game. The Lions extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the third. The Hornets scored a run in the top of the fifth to bring the score to 4-1. Teams exchanged outs to finish the game.
ON DECK
The Hornets host Washburn in baseball's first Turnpike Tussel of the 2018 season on March 27.
