Emporia State Hornets (15-12, 6-8 MIAA)
vs Fort Hays State (11-19, 3-14 MIAA)
Thursday, Mar. 29 • 6:00 p.m. • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Friday, Mar. 30 • 5:00 p.m. • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Saturday, Mar. 31 • 12:00 p.m. • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: ESU leads 142-64 Last Meeting: ESU 12, FHSU 0 (March 19, 2017)
Up Next: vs. Fort Hays State • Mar. 29-31, 2018
Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan
Live Stats
HOME STAND
Emporia State plays host to Fort Hays State in a three game series at the Trusler Sports Complex.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State fell 9-1 to Washburn in the first Turnpike Tussle meeting of the 2018 season. The Hornets had won the last five meetings between the two teams dating back to April 27, 2016.
After exchanging outs in the first inning the Ichabods got on the board in the top of the second with a solo home run to take the lead. The Ichabods got two runs in the top of the third and four in the fourth to extend their lead to 7-0. After exchanging outs in the fifth inning Washburn finished their scoring in the top of the sixth with two runs to lead 9-0. The Hornets lone run came in the bottom of the ninth when Kaden Shaffer scored on a wild pitch.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 581-254 in his 15th season at Emporia State and is 887-367 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 43-11 against the Tigers.
Steve Johnson is 160-210 in his fourth year as head coach for the Tigers.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets have a team batting average of .292 while allowing opponents an average of .295. The Hornets have had 929 at bats with 271 hits for 190 runs on the season. Hornet pitchers have combined for 225 K's this season.
At the Plate
Bryce Fischer leads the Hornets with a .416 batting average, 47 hits and 28 runs. Mack Gowing has a .324 avg with 33 hits and 29 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 57 K's with an ERA of 4.96 through 49.0 innings with a record of 2-2. Taylor Thompson has 14 appearances, 21.1 innings, 16 K's and a 3.80 ERA. Max Simpson is 3-1 in eight appearences, 33.1 innings with 34 K's.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
The Ichabods start the season 11-19 overall, 3-14 in the MIAA. Addison Kaasch leads the Tigers with a .372 batting avg, 45 hits and 23 runs. Clayton Basgall has a .293 with 27 hits. Ryan Ruder leads the tigers on the mound with an ERA of 6.63 in 38.0 innings pitched.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE TIGERS
The Hornets swept the Tigers in a three game series. The Hornets took game one 15-1 in eight innings by scoring in bunches. In game two the Hornets used three runs in the eighth inning to take the late lead for the 5-4 win. In game three the Hornets used a seven run first inning to take an early lead. The Hornets added one in the second and three in the third to extend the lead to 11-0. Capping off scoring with one run in the fifth, the Hornets took the run-rule win 12-0 in seven innings.
ON DECK
The Hornets play host to Missouri Western in midweek action on April 3.
