EMPORIA STATE BASEBALL WINS SECOND GAME OF SERIES AT SOUTHWEST BAPTIST

March 23, 2019-Emporia State got another outstanding performance from their starting pitcher in a 5-2 victory over Southwest Baptist on Saturday in Bolivar, Mo.
 
Things did not start out well for Jake Barton on the mound when Tyler Mathis reached on an error and Hunter Hisky followed with a two run home run with one out to give the Bearcats a 2-0 lead after one inning.  Barton settled down and retired the next 11 Bearcats he faced and would sit down 23 of the last 24 batters before giving way to Drew Scrimsher to start the ninth.
 
The Hornets were held at bay offensively until the fourth inning.  Lou Pener singled with two outs and Connor Hurst tied the game with a two run home run.  Aaron Dees followed with a triple and scored on Tanner Arst's single through the left side to give Emporia State a 3-2 lead.  The Hornets added an insurance run in the seventh on back to back two out doubles by Brian Grove and Paul Claassen to make it 4-2 and Hurst hit a solo homer in the eighth to make it 5-2. The Bearcats loaded the bases with two out in the ninth but Scrimsher got a line drive to third to end the game.
 
Hurst was two for four with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored.  Barton faced three over the minimum in 8.0 innings allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits with ten strikeouts and no walks. 
 
The final game of the three game series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon with a time to be determined based on weather in the Bolivar, Mo. area.