HORNETS DROP GAME ONE OF SERIES WITH NORTHWEST MISSOURI 4-3

May 3, 2019-In the opening game of their three game series, Northwest Missouri got a three run home run from Connor Quick on the way to a 4-3 victory over Emporia State on Friday night at the Trusler Sports Complex.
 
Both starting pitchers, Tanner Cairns for Emporia State and Max Spitzmiller were effective through the first five innings.  Carins retired the Bearcats on six pitches in the first inning and gave up only two hits through the first five innings.  Spitzmiller nearly matched him through five innings allowing just one run on three hits in the first 5.0 innings.
 
Emporia State got on the board first in the fourth inning.  With one out Paul Claassen walked and came around to score as Tucker Perkins was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double. 
 
Northwest got to Cairns in the sixth. Logan Rycraft worked a lead off walk and went to second on Peter Carlson's single down the left field line.  After a sac bunt moved them over, Quick delivered his three run shot over the fence in right center to make it 3-1 Bearcats.
 
The Hornets got a run back in the bottom of the seventh when Josh Norlin led off with a walk and was followed one out later by a walk to Brian Grove before Aaron Easley relieved Spitzmiller.  Cooper Minnick hit a slow roller to second and with the runners going on the pitch Norlin was able to score from second to pull the Hornets within 3-2.
 
Calvin Randolph led off the top of the eighth and went to second on a ground out and third on a fly ball to right.  Matt Gastner then dropped a soft liner just in front of Connor Hurst in center field to drive in the insurance run for the Bearcats.
 
Trevor Dudar started the eighth for the Bearcats and got a strikeout of Hurst to begin the inning.  Claassen then hit a hustle double to left center and came home on Perkins RBI single to center.  Brett Huelsmann pinch ran for Perkins and was picked off trying to steal for the second out of the inning.  Lou Pener worked a walk to put the tying run back on base before Norlin flew out to deep center field to end the inning.
 
Drew Scrimsher worked a 1-2-3 ninth in relief of Cairns, striking out the first two batters before getting a soft line drive to left to end the inning. Easley then retired the Hornets in order in the bottom of the ninth to pick up his ninth save of the season.
 
Tucker Perkins was three for four with an RBI while Paul Claassen went one for three with a walk, a double and two runs scored.  Cairns took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits in 8.0 innings with three walks and no strikeouts.
 
Game two of the three game set is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Glennen Field in the Trusler Sports Complex.  During the game members of the Hornets 2009 National Runners-up team will be recognized.