Emporia State Hornets (18-13, 9-9 MIAA)
vs Nebraska Kearney (17-14, 10-7 MIAA)
Saturday, April 7 • 1:00 p.m. • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Sunday, April 8 • 1:00 p.m. • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Monday, April 9 • 1:00 p.m. • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: ESU leads 38-20 Last Meeting: ESU 9, UNK 8 (March 26, 2017)
 Up Next: vs. Wasburn • April. 11, 2018
Falley Field • Topeka, Kan
Live Stats
HOME STAND
Emporia State continues their home stand as they host Nebraska Kearney at the Trusler Sports Complex.
LAST AT BAT
The Hornets took the midweek matchup 11-10 over Missouri Western. The Hornets came out with hot bats scoring all 11 runs in the first three innings. In the first inning the Hornets got two runs as Brian Grove and Mack Gowing scored. The Griffons took the lead in the top of the second with three runs but the Hornets answered quickly with six runs in the bottom of the inning as the Hornets batted around the order getting six runs on five hits. The Griffons scored two runs in the top of the third and the Hornets again answered with three runs on two hits in the bottom half of the inning to lead 11-5. After exchanging outs in the fourth the Griffons scored three runs in the top of the fifth. Missouri Western scored one run in the top of the sixth to make the score 11-9. After exchanging outs in the seventh and eighth the Griffons capped off scoring with one run in the top of the ninth. The Hornets combined for nine hits and recorded 11 K's on the mound.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 583-255 in his 15th season at Emporia State and is 890-368 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 15-6 against the Lopers.
Damon Day 383 wins in his fifteenth year as head coach for the Tigers.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets have a team batting average of .294 while allowing opponents an average of .294. The Hornets have had 1063 at bats with 313 hits for 224 runs on the season. Hornet pitchers have combined for 262 K's this season.
At the Plate
Bryce Fischer leads the Hornets with a .413 batting average, 52 hits and 34 runs. Kaden Shaffer has a .331 avg with 40 hits and 28 runs. Mason Brown, Brian Grove, Trevor Turner, Tate Kastens and Mack Gowing each have double digit hits and runs for the Hornets.
On the Mound
Seth Holman has 69 K's with an ERA of 4.50 through 58.0 innings with a record of 3-2. Taylor Thompson has 16 appearances, 24.2 innings, 18 K's and a 5.47 ERA. Max Simpson is 3-2 in nine appearences, 38.0 innings with 40 K's.
SCOUTING THE LOPERS
The Lopers start the season 17-14 overall, 10-7 in the MIAA. The Lopers have a team batting avg of .321 while allowing opponents to hit .291. Brandon Hernandez leads the Lopers with a batting avg of .401, 55 hits and 29 runs. Ty Roseberry has a batting average of .396 with 42 hits and 29 runs followed by Alex Achtermann with a .374 avg, 43 hits and 28 runs.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE LOPERS
The Hornets defeated the Lopers in a three game series (4-1, 7-0, 9-8).
ON DECK
The Hornets head to Topeka to face Washburn in the second Turnpike Tussle of the 2018 season.
