HORNETS FALL IN FINAL GAME OF SERIES TO PITTSBURG STATE

April 14, 2019-A big seventh inning was the difference as Pittsburg State won the final game of the series 7-4 over Emporia State on Sunday afternoon at the Trusler Sports Complex.
 
Both teams were scoreless through the first four innings before the Hornets broke through with a run in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs Lou Pener singled up the middle and then scored from first on Josh Norlin's double to right center. 
 
Chaz Burgess answered for the Gorillas with a lead off homer in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 1-1.  Connor Hurst put the Hornets back in front with a two out home run to left field for a 2-1 Emporia State lead after six innings.
 
The Gorillas would score six runs on four hits in the top of the seventh to take a 7-2 lead.  The inning started when Quin Reasoner, the Gorillas nine hole hitter, reached on a throwing error by Paul Claassen.  Ryan Lee then walked Blain Ohlmeier and both moved over on a sac bunt.  Alex Achtermann hit a chopper of the end of the bat to first and Pener's throw home to try and get the lead runner was off and allowed the Gorillas to tie the score.  Drew Scrimsher relieved Ryan Lee and gave up four straight hits.  After a Ty Herrenbruck double made it 6-2, Mason LeClair came on in relief of Scrimsher. He allowed a walk and a single before getting the final out of the inning.  LeClair would end up retiring the last seven batters to keep the Hornets in the game.
 
Hurst led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk and came around to score on Cooper Minnick's double to right field.  Tyrus Barclay dropped a single into shallow left to put runners at first and second with nobody out.  Tanner Lane came out of the bullpen in relief of Dante Richardson and got two strikeouts before pinch hitter Mitch Sloan singled up the middle to score Minnick.  Brian Grove came to the plate representing the tying run but flew out to third to end the game.
 
Lee took the loss for the Hornets as he allowed four runs, three of them earned, on seven hits in 6.1 innings with four walks and four strikeouts.  Hurst was two for three with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI.
 
The Hornets, who remain in third place in the MIAA after the weekend, will head to league leader Missouri Southern on Tuesday for a non-conference match-up.  First pitch from Warren Turner Field in Joplin, Mo. is set for 5:00 p.m.