March 26, 2019-Emporia State ran its winning streak to five games with a double header sweep of Newman on Tuesday in Wichita. The Hornets won game one 5-4 and took the nightcap 13-2 to set up a big weekend series at Trusler against Missouri Southern with first place in the MIAA on the line.
GAME ONE
The Hornets got on top early thanks to a two run homer by Aaron Dees in the top of the first inning. After the Jets got one run back in the bottom of the second, Lou Pener delivered an RBI single to make it 3-1 in the top of the third. Cooper Minnick made it 4-1 with a solo homer in the top of the fifth. A two run homer by the Jets Kyle Koch made it 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth. After a ground out and a walk Drew Repp came on in relief of starter Jarrett Seaton and promptly got a 643 double play to end the inning. The Hornets got an insurance run in the top of the sixth as Tyrus Barclay reached on a two base error in right field and would score on a single by Josh Norlin. It would turn out to be a big run as the Jets scored a run on a Chris Opolka single in the bottom of the sixth to make it 5-4. Drew Scrimsher pitched the bottom of the seventh and did not allow a run to pick up his third save of the season.
Aaron Dees was one for four with a home run, two RBI and a run scored. Paul Claassen and Connor Hurst were both two for four with a run scored while Cooper Minnick went one for four with a solo home run. Seaton pitched 4.1 of the scheduled seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits to pick up his second win.
GAME TWO
Emporia State scored seven runs on five hits in the top of the first to take control early in the night cap. Brian Grove and Paul Claassen each singled and with one out Aaron Dees walked to load the bases. Connor Hurst then delivered a bases clearing double to put the Hornets up 3-0. He would score when Tanner Arst reached first on a third strike passed ball with two outs. Brett Huelsmann then singled followed by back to back walks by Josh Norlin and Grove to load the bases and add another run. Claassen hit a single to left that plated Huelsmann and Norlin to make it 7-0. The Hornets added two more runs in the top of the second when Tucker Perkins hit a pinch hit two run homer with two outs.
The Hornets added an unearned run in the top of the sixth when Claassen reached on a error, went to second on a hit batter and to third on a fielder's choice before scoring on a sac fly by Hurst. The Jets got on the board in the bottom of the inning thanks to a double by Spencer Lloyd and a fielder's choice by Conner Langrell.
Paul Claassen was three for four with three RBI and two runs scored while Connor Hurst went one for three with a double, four RBI and a run scored. Tucker Perkins had a two run homer, two walks, two runs and two RBI. Adam Thies allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out four in 4.0 innings to pick up the win. Connor Burns, Sloan Baker and Mason LeClair each pitched an inning in relief to wrap up the game.
The Hornets will play host to Missouri Southern in a key MIAA matchup at the Trusler Sports Complex this weekend. The first game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Friday weather permitting. The Lions lead the Hornets by one game in the MIAA standings.
