Emporia State Hornets (9-7, 3-3 MIAA)
vs Pittsburg State (13-5, 5-1 MIAA) •
Live Stats
Friday, Mar. 9 • 2:00 p.m. [DH] • Gene Bicknell Sports Complex • Pittsburg, Kan.
Saturday, Mar. 10 • 1:00 p.m. • Gene Bicknell Sports Complex • Pittsburg, Kan..
Series Record: ESU leads 80-35 Last Meeting: ESU 8, PSU 6 (Feb 27, 2017)
Up Next: vs Minnesota Duluth • Mar. 17-18, 2018
Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Emporia State travels to Pittsburg Kansas to take on the Pittsburg State Gorillas in a weekend series March 9-10.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State swept Southwest Baptist 12-6, 15-14 and 18-8. The Hornets had hot bats to start game one scoring five in the bottom of the first, three in the second, and two in the third. The Bearcats cut into the lead with four runs in the fifth but the Hornets held off the Bearcats for the 12-6 win. The Hornets started game two in similar fashion scoring four in the first and three in the second. The Bearcats brought the game within one with six runs in the top of the third before the Hornets extended their lead to 11-6 with four runs in their half of the inning. The Bearcats were able to chip away the Hornets lead and force extra innings. SBU scored two runs in the top of the tenth before Bryce Fischer hit a three run walk off home run for the Hornets 15-14 win. In game three the Hornets had a slower start trailing 7-4 after four innings. Emporia State turned it around with four runs in the fifth and eight in the sixth on their way to an 18-8 win in seven innings.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 575-249 in his 15th season at Emporia State and is 881-362 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 80-35 against the Gorillas.
Tom Myers is 34-32 in his second year as head coach for the Gorillas.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets have a team batting average of .308 while allowing opponents an average of .316. The Hornets have had 571 at bats with 176 hits for 34 runs on the season. Hornet pitchers have combined for 145 K's this season.
At the Plate
Bryce Fischer leads the Hornets with a .451 batting average, 32 hits and 19 runs. Trevor Turner has a .377 avg with 20 hits and 14 runs. Mason Brown, Brian Grove, Mack Gowing and Kaden Shaffer each have double digit hits and runs for the Hornets.
On the Mound
Seth Holman has 36 K's with an ERA of 6.67 through 28.1 innings with a record of 1-1. Taylor Thompson has 10 appearances, 13.1 innings, 12 K's and a 3.38 ERA. Max Simpson is 3-0 in four appearences, 16.2 innings with 21 K's.
THE MIAA
Bryce Fischer leads the MIAA in batting average with .451 and hits with 32. He is also second in RBI with 24 and slugging percentage with .761. Trevor Turner is 11th in batting avg. with .377. Max Simpson leads the MIAA with an ERA of 1.08 in 16.2 innings with 21 K's.
SCOUTING THE GORILLAS
Pittsburg State is 11-5 to start the season, 5-1 in the MIAA. The Gorillas have a team batting avg of .335 and an ERA of 5.39. Tyson Cushman leads the Gorillas with a .444 batting avg. Colton Pogue has 20 runs on 27 hits including three HR and a .435 avg. Cody Whiting has pitched 26.1 innings with an ERA of 3.42 and 30 K's.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE GORILLAS
The #30 Hornets swept Pittsburg State. The Hornets opened MIAA play with an 11-0 win in seven innings. In game two, the Hornets used a seven run third inning to boost them to a 13-8 win over the Gorillas. The Hornets completed the sweep of the Gorillas with an 8-6 win in game three of the series.
ON DECK
The Hornets play host to Minnesota Duluth in non conference action at Trusler Sports Complex. Games are scheduled for 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. double header action March 17-18.
