EMPORIA STATE BASEBALL FALLS IN SEASON OPENER TO LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN

February 1, 2019- Emporia State Baseball opened the 2019 season falling 2-1 to Lubbock Christian in the Edmond First Pitch Invitational on Friday. The Hornets got on the board first before falling to the Chaps in the bottom of the tenth.
 
The Hornets were the first to record a hit as Connor Hurst singled through the left side in the top of the first. Hurst was left stranded before the Hornets saw just three batters in the bottom of the inning.
 
In the top of the second, Tucker Perkins singled to center field and advanced to third when Paul Claassen doubled to right center before being thrown out at home. Tanner Arst and Aaron Dees grounded out to end the inning. The Chaps recorded one hit in the bottom of the inning before retiring the final out.
 
After two more scoreless innings, the Hornets broke the drought when Tanner Arst homered over the right field fence. Dees walked before Christian Roduner grounded into a double play and Josh Norlin grounded out to end the top of the inning.
 
The Chaps tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with one hit and two Hornet errors before the two teams exchanged outs for the following three innings.
 
In the top of the tenth, the Hornets were retired in three straight batters as Dees, Arst and Claassen each struck out swinging. Chase Whetsel doubled down the left field line for the Chaps before a double down the right field line from Andres Negron would drive him home to take the 2-1 lead.
 
Tanner Cairns started on the mound for the Hornets and pitched six and one third innings allowing four hits, one run with eight K's before being relieved by Ryan Lee. Lee pitched two and two thirds innings with three K's and two walks. Mason LeClair pitched the final one third inning and would take the loss allowing two hits and one run with one K.
 
The Hornets recorded five hits in the game led by Paul Claassen with two hits followed by Connor Hurst, Tucker Perkins and Tanner Arst each with one. Arst scored the lone run for the Hornets with a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning.
 
The Hornets will be back in action on Saturday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. as they take on Southeastern Oklahoma State on day two of the Edmond First Pitch Invitational.