Emporia State Hornets (30-20, 21-16 MIAA)
vs Central Missouri (34-15, 24-12 MIAA)
Friday, May 11 • 4:00 p.m. • James R. Crane Stadium • Warrensburg, Mo.
Series Record: UCM leads 125-64 Last Meeting: UCM 6, ESU 5 (April 22, 2018)
 Up Next: If won: Opponent TBD • May 12, 2018 • 7:30 p.m.
If lost: Winner of NWMSU vs. MWSU • May 12, 2018 • 9:00 a.m.
James R. Crane Stadium • Warrensburg, Mo.
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TOURNEY TIME
Emporia State continues in the winners bracket in Warrensburg, Mo. as the seven seed in the MIAA Tournament. The Hornets face off against the host team and third seeded Central Missouri in round two on Friday.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State exploded for a 15-2 win over Northwest Missouri in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.
The Hornets thrived with two outs on the board throughout the game scoring 12 of their 15 runs with two outs. The Hornets got on the board with two runs in the top of the first before blowing the game open with 11 runs in the top of the second. The Hornets extended their lead with a run in the fourth before the Bearcats got on the board with two in the fifth. In the top of the seventh the Hornets capped off scoring with one run to end the game 15-2 in seven innings.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 595-262 in his 15th season at Emporia State and is 901-375 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 26-48 against the Mules.
Kyle Crookes is 139-70 in his fourth year as head coach for the Mules.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets have a team batting average of .294 while allowing opponents an average of .296. Hornet pitchers have combined for 390 K's this season.
At the Plate
Bryce Fischer leads the Hornets with a .414 batting average, 79 hits and 57 runs. Kaden Shaffer has a .326 avg with 62 hits and 40 runs. Mason Brown, Brian Grove, Trevor Turner, Brandon Bachar, Tate Kastens, Tanner Arst and Mack Gowing each have double digit hits and runs for the Hornets.
On the Mound
Seth Holman has 106 K's with an ERA of 3.67 through 98.0 innings with a record of 6-3. Taylor Thompson has 22 appearances, 48.0 innings, 31 K's and a 5.06 ERA. Max Simpson is 4-4 in 14 appearences, 57.2 innings with 53 K's.
SCOUTING THE MULES
The Mules are 34-15 on the season, 24-12 in the MIAA. Travis Able leads the Mules with a .377 ERA while Mason Janvrin leads with 50 74 hits and 50 runs in 197 at bats. Collin Nevil leads the team with 46 RBI and 13 home runs. Luke Lucas holds a record of 6-1 for the Mules with an ERA of 4.45 through 56.2 innings while Ben Kelsch is 5-1 with an ERA of 4.45 through 64.2 innings with 52 K's. Luke Mercer has 18 appearances with an ERE of 2.33 through 19.1 innings.
LAST TIME VS THE MULES
Emporia State fell in the weekend series 2-1 (1-4, 5-4, 5-6)Â to Central Missouri on April 20-22.
ON DECK
With a loss the Hornets will face the winner of Missouri Western vs Northwest Missouri. With a win, the Hornets opponent will be determined by Fridays games.
