HORNETS TAKE GAME ONE OVER LINDENWOOD AT TRUSLER

February 28, 2019- Emporia State Baseball won 13-4 in game one of the series against Lindenwood on Thursday. The Hornets used ten hits to take the win over the Lions.
 
After exchanging outs in the first inning, the Hornets stranded two Lions runners on base in the top of the second. In the bottom of the second, the Hornets took the lead with two runs on one hit and one Lions error. Alex Pener was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and advanced to second as Mitch Sloan reached on a fielding error by the pitcher. Runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Aaron Dees before Tanner Arst drove Pener and Sloan home to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead.
 
The Lions got on the board in the top of the third with two runs on one hit to tie the game at 2-2. Brian Grove led off the bottom of the inning with a walk, advancing to second on a single from Cooper Minnick. Runners moved to second and third on a passed ball and Grove would score on a sacrifice fly from Connor Hurst to spark scoring for the Hornets. Pener walked and runners advanced on a wild pitch. The second passed ball of the inning allowed Minnick to come home from third and Pener advanced to third on the play. Sloan walked to put runners at first and third before the third passed ball of the inning allowed Pener to score and give the Hornets the 5-2 lead after three complete.
 
In the top of the fourth, the Lions got one unearned run on one hit and one Hornet error. Paul Claassen reached on an error and stole second to lead off for the Hornets. Claassen would advance to third on a sac bunt from Josh Norlin before scoring on a double from Grove to give the Hornets a 6-3 lead heading to the fifth.
 
After a scoreless fifth inning, the Hornets extended their lead with five runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth. Norlin led off with a bunt single and advanced to third on a single from Grove. Grove advanced on to second on the throw. The bases were loaded when Minnick was hit by a pitch. Runners advanced and Norlin scored on a wild pitch before bases were loaded again when Hurst was walked. Pener hit a sac fly to left field to bring Grove home for the score. A passed ball allowed Hurst to advance to second and Minnick to score. Mitch Sloan sent a shot into right center for a triple that drove Hurst home to score. Sloan would score on a passed ball to end the inning with the Hornets leading 11-3.
 
The Lions got one run on two hits in the top of the seventh, but the Hornets answered to extend their lead with two runs in the bottom of the inning. With one out on the board, Norlin singled up the middle and advanced to second when Minnick was walked. Hurst drove the pair home with a double down the left line to give the Hornets a 13-4 lead and the Hornets would hold on for the win.
 
The Hornets had ten hits in the game led by Tanner Arst with three hits. Cooper Minnick led the Hornets with three runs while Alex Pener, Mitch Sloan, Brian Grove and Josh Norlin each added two runs.
 
Tanner Cairns started on the mound for the Hornets pitching 7.0 innings allowing three runs on four hits with four K's. Sloan Baker relieved Cairns in the eighth inning and pitched one inning with two K's. Adam Thies finished the final inning for the Hornets facing just three batters.

The Hornets are back in action on Friday as they wrap up the series with a double header against Lindenwood. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.