March 24, 2018- Emporia State baseball defeated Missouri Southern 9-4 on Saturday. The Hornets sealed the game with four runs in the ninth.
The Hornets got on the board first with two runs in the first inning on a two run home run from Bryce Fischer which scored Mason Brown. The Lions cut into the lead with a home run in the bottom of the frame and took the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the second with a two run home run. After exchanging outs for two innings the Lions got a home run to extend their lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth. The Hornets answered with one run in the top of the sixth as Bryce Fischer scored on a balk. In the top of the seventh the Hornets took the lead with two runs as Mack Gowing reached on an error, advanced to third on a double from Mason Brown and scored on a SAC fly from Bryce Fischer. Kaden Shaffer singled to third to drive in Brown. The Hornets extended their lead with four runs in the ninth inning as Gowing reached on a fielders choice and advanced to third on a double from Brown. Fischer was walked then advanced to third on a double from Kaden Shaffer scoring Brown and Gowing. Shaffer and Fischer scored as Brian Grove, Kyle Lopez were walked and Tate Kastens got hit by a pitch to end the scoring at 9-4.
The Hornets had nine hits for nine runs on the day led by Kaden Shaffer who had three hits on five at bats followed by Bryce Fischer with two hits in three at bats. Mason Brown had two hits in four at bats while Tate Kastens added one hit for the Hornets. Fischer hit the Hornets lone home run in the game.
Tanner Cairns started on the mound for the Hornets and pitched seven innings allowing four runs on eight hits with five K's before he was replaced by Layne Downing. Downing pitched two innings allowing no hits and no runs with three K's.
The Hornets will be back in action Sunday at 12:00 p.m. as they wrap up the weekend series with Missouri Southern.
