EMPORIA STATE OUTSCORES NORTHEASTERN STATE 9-6 TO WIN SERIES

April 28, 2019-Emporia State wrapped up another series win with a 9-6 victory at Northeastern State on Sunday afternoon in Tahlequah, Okla. With the win they clinched their spot in the MIAA Tournament in two weeks.
 
The Hornets got on the board first when Connor Hurst doubled in Brian Grove in the top of the first inning.  The RiverHawks tied the game in the second on a Jaxon Phipps solo home run. 
 
Grove put the Hornets in front to stay with a two run homer in the top of the fifth that plated Mitch Sloan. Northeastern State got one of the runs back in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI ground out by Phipps.  Emporia State put three runs on the board in the next inning to go up 6-2.  Lou Pener walked followed by a Tyrus Barclay double and a Tanner Arst walk to load the bases.  Grove and Cooper Minnick each walked to drive in a run each and Arst would come home to score on a passed ball.
 
The RiverHawks closed the gap back to one run in the bottom of the seventh.  With the bases loaded Phipps grounded into a double play that scored a run followed by an RBI double from Colton Burgess.  The final run came across on an error by Paul Claassen at short stop that pulled Northeastern State within 6-5.
 
Claassen led off the ninth with a walk and went first to third on Pener's single through the right side.  Barclay gave the Hornets an insurance run with an RBI single to right center before Arst reached on an infield single to lead the bases.  Tucker Perkins then delivered a pinch hit double that scored two an put the Hornets up 9-5.  Drew Scrimsher started the ninth on the mound and gave up a lead off homer and a one out walk before the Hornets turned their league leading 46^th double play of the year to end the game.
 
Grove was one for three with three walks, thre RBI and two runs scored while Barclay went two for four with an RBI and two runs scored. Ryan Lee went 7.0 innings, allowing five runs, four of them earned, on eight hits with four strikeouts.
 
The Hornets travel to Pittsburg State on Tuesday for a non-conference game against the Gorillas.  First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Al Ortoloni Field, the site of the MIAA Tournament in two weeks.