HORNET BASEBALL OPENS SERIES WITH 6-2 WIN AT SOUTHWEST BAPTIST

March 22, 2019-The Hornets first three batters all scored and Tanner Cairns made sure that would be enough as Emporia State defeated Southwest Baptist 6-2 to open their three game series in Bolivar, Mo.
 
Brian Grove singled to lead off the game and scored on Paul Claassen's homer to left.  Cooper Minnick followed with a solo home run to left and Emporia State led 3-0 after three batters.  The Bearcats Cory Dudley then settled down and retired the next 12 batters he faced into the fifth inning.  Tanner Arst led off with a single up the middle and went to second on Mitch Sloan's single to center.  Josh Norlin beat out a bunt single to load the base and Claassen hit a sac fly to give the Hornets a 4-0 lead.
 
Cairns allowed just three hits through the first four innings before the Bearcats broke through for two runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the fifth. Arst gave the Hornets a 5-2 lead when he led off the seventh with a home run and doubles by Minnick and Aaron Dees made it 6-2 in the eighth.
 
After giving up the two runs in the fifth, Cairns retired 12 in a row before giving up a two out single in the ninth. He got a fly ball out to end the game and record his third straight complete game.
 
Cairns allowed just one earned run on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.  Offensively Claassen was one for three with three RBI and a run scored while Arst and Minnick both went two for four with an RBI and two runs scored.
 
First pitch of the second game of the three game series has been moved up to 11:00 a.m. in Bolivar, Mo. in an effort to avoid rain later in the day.