Emporia State Hornets (22-17, 13-13 MIAA)
vs Central Missouri (27-11, 18-8 MIAA)
Friday, April 20 • 6:00 p.m. • Crane Stadium • Warrensburg, Mo.
Saturday, April 21 • 2:00 p.m. • Crane Stadium • Warrensburg, Mo.
Sunday, April 22 • 1:00 p.m. • Crane Stadium • Warrensburg, Mo.
Series Record: UCM leads 123-63 Last Meeting: ESU 4, UCM 1 (May 12, 2017)
 Up Next: vs Washburn • April 25, 2018
Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
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WEEKEND ROAD TRIP
Emporia State heads across state lines to take on Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. April 20-22.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State fell 11-3 to Missouri Western in midweek action.
The Hornets got on the board first with one run on one hit in the top of the first inning. The Griffons answered quick with two runs in the bottom of the first to take the 2-1 lead. The Hornets took the lead 3-2 with two runs on four hits in the top of the third inning. . In the bottom of the inning the Griffons tied the game with one run on one hit and one error by the Hornets. After exchanging outs in the fourth inning the Griffons took control of the game scoring one run in both the fifth and sixth innings. The Griffons got six runs in the bottom of the seventh to finish the game 11-3.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 587-259 in his 15th season at Emporia State and is 894-371 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 25-46 against the Mules.
Kyle Crookes is 132-66 in his fourth year as head coach for the Mules.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets have a team batting average of .298 while allowing opponents an average of .304. The Hornets have had 1341 at bats with 399 hits for 292 runs on the season. Hornet pitchers have combined for 316 K's this season.
At the Plate
Bryce Fischer leads the Hornets with a .430 batting average, 65 hits and 44 runs. Kaden Shaffer has a .344 avg with 52 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 MULES
Central Missouri is 27-11 on the season, 18-8 in the MIAA. Travis Able leads the Mules in batting with an avg. of .397, 54 hits and 36 runs on the season. Erik Webb has 50 hits and 38 runs with an avg. of .379 followed by Mason Janvrin with 56 hits and 45 runs on a .368 avg. Ben Kelsch leads the Mules on the mound with an ERA of 4.15 through 47.2 innings. Kelsch has 39 K's and a record of 5-1 on the season. Ross Juliana has a record of 4-1 as a reliever for the Mules and has pitched 21.1 innings with a 4.22 ERA.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE MULES
Emporia State won 4-1 over Central Missouri. Emporia State pitchers combined for a one-hitter in the Hornets 4-1 win over Central Missouri in and elimination game of the MIAA Tournament.
ON DECK
The Hornets play host to Washburn in the final Turnpike Tussle of 2018.
