Emporia State Hornets (22-16, 13-12 MIAA)
vs Missouri Western (20-18, 13-12 MIAA)
Tuesday, April 17 • 5:00 p.m. • Spring Sports Complex • St. Joseph, Mo.
Series Record: ESU leads 107-37 Last Meeting: ESU 11, MWSU 10 (April 4, 2018)
 Up Next: at Central Misouri • April. 19-21, 2018
Tompkins Field • Warrensburg, Mo
Live Stats
MIDWEEK MATCHUP
Emporia State heads across state lines to take on Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. on April 17.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State swept Central Oklahoma in a three game series 17-7, 14-6, 5-3.
In game one, the Hornets got off to a hot start scoring eight runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Bronchos closed the gap to 8-3 in the top of the second but the Hornets used late offence to take the run rule win 17-7.
In game two teams exchanged two runs each in the first inning before trading outs for the next three. In the bottom of the fifth the Hornets broke the tie with one run. The Bronchos got two runs in the top of the sixth and two in the seventh before the Hornets took the 14-6 win with 11 runs between the bottom of the seventh and eighth.
In game three the Bronchos got on the board first with one run in the first but the Hornets answered with two in the bottom half of the inning and never relinquished the lead. The Hornets got the win 5-3 with six hits in the game to take the series sweep.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 587-258 in his 15th season at Emporia State and is 894-370 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 35-21 against the Griffons.
Charles Verduzco is 553-408 in his fourth year as head coach for the Griffons.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets have a team batting average of .299 while allowing opponents an average of .302. The Hornets have had 1310 at bats with 392 hits for 289 runs on the season. Hornet pitchers have combined for 313 K's this season.
At the Plate
Bryce Fischer leads the Hornets with a .432 batting average, 64 hits and 44 runs. Kaden Shaffer has a .345 avg with 51 hits and 34 runs. Mason Brown, Brian Grove, Trevor Turner, Tate Kastens, Tanner Arst and Mack Gowing each have double digit hits and runs for the Hornets.
On the Mound
Seth Holman has 78 K's with an ERA of 4.44 through 71.0 innings with a record of 4-2. Taylor Thompson has 19 appearances, 33.1 innings, 24 K's and a 5.13 ERA. Max Simpson is 3-3 in 10 appearences, 40.2 innings with 40 K's.
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS
The Griffons are 20-18 on the season, 13-12 in the MIAA. Casey Danley leads the Griffons with a batting avg of .333, 48 hits and 35 runs. Dusty Stroup has an avg. of .323 with 52 hits and 23 runs followed by Levi Schreiner with a .289 avg. On the mound the Griffons are led by Jacob Miller with a 3.88 ERA through 53.1 innings with 43 K's.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE GRIFFONS
Emporia State won 11-10 over Missouri Western in midweek action at the Trusler Sports Complex.
ON DECK
The Hornets travel to Central Missouri for a weekend series April 19-21.
