Emporia State Hornets (29-20, 20-16 MIAA)
vs Northwest Missouri (30-20, 25-11 MIAA)
Thursday, May 10 • 12:30 p.m. • James R. Crane Stadium • Warrensburg, Mo.
Series Record: ESU leads 62-36 Last Meeting: NWMSU 12, ESU 11 (Feb. 26, 2018)
 Up Next: If won: Winner of UCM vs. MWSU • May 11, 2018 • 4:00 p.m.
If lost: Loser of UCM vs. MWSU • May 11, 2018 • 9:00 a.m.
James R. Crane Stadium • Warrensburg, Mo.
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TOURNEY TIME
Emporia State travels to Warrensburg, Mo. as the seven seed in the MIAA Tournament. The Hornets face off against the second seeded Northwest Missouri in the first round on Thursday, May 10.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State won the three game series over Lindenwood 2-1 (7-2, 4-9, 14-7).
In game one the Hornets uses a three run home run from Bryce Fischer and a two run home run Tate Kastens to overcome the hitting deficit and take the 7-2 win over the Lions.
In game two the Hornets were out-hit 12-6 in the 9-4 loss to the Lions.
The Hornets took game three 14-7 using 17 hits and two errors by the Lions to their advantage in the win.
THE COACHES
Bob Fornelli is 594-262 in his 15th season at Emporia State and is 900-375 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 41-15 against the Bearcats.
Darin Loe is 469-457 in his 18th year as head coach for Northwest Missouri.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets have a team batting average of .291 while allowing opponents an average of .297. The Hornets have had 1688 at bats with 491 hits for 357 runs on the season. Hornet pitchers have combined for 384 K's this season.
At the Plate
Bryce Fischer leads the Hornets with a .415 batting average, 73 hits and 50 runs. Kaden Shaffer has a .341 avg with 61 hits and 36 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 102 K's with an ERA of 3.79 through 95.0 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 BEARCATS
The Bearcats are 30-20 on the season, 25-11 in the MIAA. Hudson Bilodeau leads the Bearcats with a .385 batting avg and 62 hits. Mondesi Gutierrez has plated 39 runs for the Bearcats on 56 hits with 45 RBI. Aaron Barratt leads the team with seven home runs. Brad Roberts has pitched 95.0 innings for the Bearcats with an era of 3.79 and 103 K's. Joseph Hietpas has 108 K's through 83.0 innings.
LAST TIME VS THE BEARCATS
Emporia State was swept by the Bearcats in the MIAA opener Feb. 25-26. The series saw eight extra innings as game one and game three provided free baseball.
ON DECK
With a win the Hornets will face the winner of Central Missouri vs. Missouri Western. With a loss, the Hornets will play the loser of Central Missouri and Missouri Western.
