HORNET BASEBALL TAKES GAME ONE OF THE SERIES AT THE TRUSLER SPORTS COMPLEX

March 10, 2019- Emporia State Baseball took game one 9-3 over Fort Hays State at the Trusler Sports Complex on Sunday. The Hornets outhit the Tigers 8-5 and took advantage of three errors for the win.
 
The Hornets got on the board first with two runs in the top of the first. Leading off, Brian Grove doubled to right center field and scored the Hornets first run on a single from Alex Pener. Pener advanced to third on a single from Aaron Dees and would score to give the Hornets the 2-0 lead on a Connor Hurst single up the middle.
 
After two scoreless innings, the Hornets extended their lead with two runs in the top of the fourth. Paul Claassen led off with a single to left field. With one out, Josh Norlin got a bunt single and advanced to third on a throwing error allowing Claassen to score. Norlin came home to give the Hornets the 4-0 lead on a sac fly from Grove before the final out. In the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers got on the board with one run on one hit and one Hornet error.
 
In the top of the sixth, Hurst led off with a walk and stole second base before advancing to third on a wild pitch with one out. Christian Roduner brought Hurst home with a sac fly to left field to extend the Hornets lead to 5-1. Jake Barton would retire Tigers batters in order in the bottom half of the inning.
 
The Hornets extended their lead in the top of the eighth after a scoreless seventh. Hurst started the inning with another walk and advanced to second on a ground out from Claassen before pinch hitter, Tanner Arst walked. Runners advanced on a failed pick-off attempt and Hurst would score on a ground out from Norlin to give the Hornets a 6-1 lead over the Tigers.
 
Fort Hays State cut into the Hornets lead in the bottom of the eighth with two runs on one hit. The Hornets would lead 6-3 heading to the ninth.
 
In the top of the ninth, the Hornets loaded the bases with one out. Back-to-back singles from Hurst and Claassen would allow Aaron Dees and Cooper Minnick home to score. Mitch Sloan came in for the Hornets final score on a passed ball to give Emporia State the 9-3 lead heading to the bottom of the ninth. The Hornets retired Tigers batters around a single to right field to take the 9-3 win.
 
The Hornets had eight hits from six different players in the game led by Connor Hurst and Paul Claassen with two hits each. Hurst recorded two runs for the Hornets.
 
Jake Barton started on the mound for the Hornets pitching 6.0 innings and taking the win allowing just one unearned run on three hits with five K's. Drew Repp pitched the final 3.0 innings allowing two runs with one K.
 
The Hornets are back in action on Monday, March 11 as they wrap up the series against Fort Hays State with a double header starting at 12:00 p.m. on Glennen Field.