February 13, 2019- Emporia State Baseball fell 11-7 to William Jewell on Wednesday in Andover, Kan. The Hornets early led early but could not hold on against the Cardinals late run.
After stranding one William Jewell runner in the top of the first, the Hornets got on the board first in their half of the inning with four runs on one hit and one Cardinal error. Brian Grove and Paul Claassen walked before advancing on an error that allowed Cooper Minnick to reach first. After two consecutive strikeouts, Mitch Sloan sent a shot out of center field to put the Hornets on top 4-0.
The Cardinals got on the board in the top of the second after Mason Goade tripled to left center and scored on a single from Nick Modrcin. The Hornets were unable to answer in the bottom of the second and held on to the 4-1 lead.
Teams exchanged outs in the third before Tanner Cairns retired batters in order with three K's in the top of the fourth. The Hornets tacked on three runs on two hits with one error in the bottom of the fourth. Connor Hurst reached on an error and stole second before being driven home by Sloan for his fifth rbi of the game. Slone stole second and would score on a single from Alex Pener. Roduner was walked to advance Pener to second before both moved up on a sac bunt from Josh Norlin. Grove drove in the final run for the Hornets with a sac fly to center field to give the Hornets a 7-1 lead.
After exchanging outs for the next three innings, the Cardinals broke the drought in the top of the eighth after the Hornets used their second pitching change. The Cardinals took the lead with seven runs on three hits including a grand slam from Modrcin and five walked batters.
The Hornets got one hit in the bottom of the eighth but were retired on a double play to end the inning. In the top of the ninth, William Jewell capped scoring in the game with three runs on one hit and one Hornet to take the 11-7 win.
The Hornets were outhit 7-5 by the Cardinals. Mitch Sloan led the Hornets with three hits, two runs and five RBI in the game. Brian Grove and Alex Pener each added one hit and one run for the Hornets.
Tanner Cairns started on the mound for the Hornets, pitching six innings with ten K's and just one earned run. Mason LeClair pitched the seventh inning for the Hornets with three K's before being relieved by Treston Rook. Rook saw three batters allowing three runs before being replaced by Drew Scrimsher. Scrimsher pitched one third innings allowing three runs. Ryan Lee recieved the loss for the Hornets after pitching 0.2 innings with one K and four runs allowed. Baker Sloan pitched the final inning for the Hornets with one K facing three batters.
The Hornets are back in action on Thursday as they take on William Jewell in a double header to wrap up the three game series. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
