HORNETS WRAP UP OPENING WEEKEND AT THE EDMOND FIRST PITCH INVITATIONAL

February 3, 2019- Emporia State Baseball fell 15-5 in eight innings to Southwestern Oklahoma State on Sunday in Edmond, Okla. The Hornets were outhit 14-12 in the game with no errors from either team.
 
Southwestern Okla. State got on the board first with two runs in the top of the first. Trailing 2-0, the Hornets answered quick with two solo home runs in the bottom half of the frame. Paul Claassen sent a shot over the left center fence followed by Cooper Minnick's solo shot out of left field to tie the game at 2-2 heading to the second.
 
The Bulldogs regained the lead with eight runs on five hits in the top of the second inning capped by a three-run home run by Sawyer Toole. In the bottom of the second, Josh Norlin sent a solo shot over the fence to cut one run off the Bulldogs lead, making the score 10-3.
 
After exchanging outs for four and a half innings, the Hornets broke the scoring drought with one run in the bottom of the seventh to cut the SWOSU lead to 10-4. Minnick led off the inning with a double to right center field and advanced to third as Tucker Perkins ground out. Minnick scored on an RBI fly out from Conner Hurst before Mitch Sloan flied out to right field to end the inning. The Bulldogs were quick to answer and extend their lead to 15-4 with five runs on five hits including three doubles in the top of the eighth.
 
In the bottom of the inning, the Hornets needed to score at least two runs to prevent the run-rule and play the final inning. With two outs on the board, Norlin doubled to left field and scored when Brian Grove hit a single up the middle. Grove advanced to third on a single to left field from Claassen but the Hornets could not capitalize as Claassen got out on a fielder's choice at second and the Hornets fell 15-5 in the eighth inning.
 
Hayden Schaeffer started on the mound for the Hornets, pitching one and one third innings allowing four hits, five earned runs and taking the loss. Schaeffer was relieved by Drew Repp who pitched four and two thirds innings allowing five runs on five hits with five K's before being replaced by Max Simpson. Simpson pitched one and one third innings allowing three runs on two hits with four K's. Trey Taylor finished the game for the Hornets pitching two thirds of an inning allowing two runs on three hits with two K's.
 
Seven Hornets recorded at least one hit in the game led by Cooper Minnick with three hits and two runs scored including a solo home run. Josh Norlin added two hits and two runs with a solo home run while Paul Claassen also added two hits and scored his only run on his solo home run.
 
The Hornets will be back in action on Friday, February 8 as they host Metro State-Denver in their home opener on Glennen Field at the Trusler Sports Complex.