March 23, 2018- Emporia State baseball defeated Missouri Southern 6-4 on Friday. The Hornets used late runs to take down the Lions.
The Lions got on the board first with one run in the bottom of the first innings. In the top of the second the Hornets took the lead on a home run from Kaden Shaffer and Trevor Turner drove in Brian Grove for a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the second the Lions scored three runs to take the 4-2 lead over the Hornets. After the teams exchanged runs for four innings the Hornets tied the game with two runs in the top of the seventh. Missouri Southern loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth but Nathan Gieber got a strike out to end the inning and send the game to the ninth tied at 4-4. With one out Grove singled to left and Turner followed him with a two run homer to left center to give the Hornets a 6-4 lead. Gieber then made quick work of the Lions in the ninth getting two strikeouts and a ground out to pick up the win.
At the plate the Hornets had 13 hits led by Tate Kastens with two hits on four at bats and two runs. Trevor Turner, Mack Goowing and Mason Brown each added two hits for the Hornets. Turner and Kaden Shaffer each had a home run for the Hornets.
Seth Holman started on the mound for the Hornets, allowing four runs on 12 hits in seven innings with nine K's before being replaced by Taylor Thompson. Thompson pitched one third innings allowing just two hits before being replaced by Nathan Gieber. Gieber pitched one and two thirds innings allowing no runs and no hits.
The Hornets will be back in action on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. as they face Missouri Southern in game two of the weekend series.
