HORNET BASEBALL ENDS SEASON IN MIAA TOURNAMENT

May 10, 2019-Emporia State's Jake Barton took a no hitter into the sixth inning and allowed one run on three hits in eight innings but Missouri Western's Casey Danley hit a three run homer in the top of the ninth as the Hornets fell 4-2 to the Griffons in the MIAA Tournament.
 
Barton and Western starter Jacob Purl were both lights out through the first five innings.  Brooks Day and Andrew Curry opened the second inning with back to back walks but Barton quickly got out of the inning with a couple of pop outs and a ground out.   
 
Brian Grove got a one out single in the third and with two outs stole second.  After the steal Aaron Dees was intentionally walked.  Connor Hurst then worked a walk of his own to load the bases before Purl got a strikeout to end the threat.
 
Barton hit Zach Pych to lead off the top of the sixth and Danley broke up the no hitter with a single through the right side that sent him to third.  After a line out to first Dusty Stroup hit a sac fly to plate Pych and give the Griffons a 1-0 lead.  Barton then struck out Day to end the inning.
 
Dees led off the bottom of the sixth with his third walk of the day and then stole second.  With one out Tucker Perkins and Paul Claassen worked back to back walks to load the bases.  Tanner Arst then delivered a single through the right side that scored two runs to give the Hornets the lead. 
 
Emporia State had a chance to add to the lead with two outs in the eighth.  Claassen and Lou Penner got back to back walks and Claassen stole third to put runners on the corners.  The Hornets tried a double steal and Claassen was out at the plate.
 
Drew Scrimsher came in to start the ninth for the Hornets and made a behind the back stab to throw out Fahd Shakeel to start the inning.  Scrimsher got ahead of pinch hitter Jordan Jackson 0-2 before Jackson looped a single through the left side.  Will Jibas singled down the left field line to put the go ahead run on base.  Scrimsher struck out pinch hitter Conrad McMahon for the second out of the inning.  Danley then delivered a three run homer over the wall in left field to give Western a 4-2 lead.
 
Barton went 8.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits with eight strikeouts and six walks in the no decision. Arst was one for three with two RBI and Aaron Dees walked three times with a run scored.
 
Emporia State ended the season 27-22 on the year. They are set to return four of eight every day starters and seven pitchers from the MIAA Tournament roster, including Barton.