February 1, 2020-Emporia State pitchers extended their season opening scoreless streak to 15 innings in a 7-2 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday in Edmond, Okla. It was the longest season opening scoreless streak by Hornet pitchers since joining the MIAA.
The starters for both teams,
Jared Kengott for the Hornets and Carter Hogan for the Bulldogs, tossed 5.0 shutout innings before turning the game over to their respective bullpens. Emporia State struck first in the top of the sixth.
Blake Carroll singled and went to second on a
Cooper Minnick sac bunt.
Josh Norlin singled to center to put runners on the corners. Carroll would score on a throwing error to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.
Brady Michel was hit by a pitch before
Sam Chaput delivered a home run to center for a 4-0 Emporia State lead going to the bottom of the sixth.
The Hornets added two runs in the top of the eighth on a
Connor Hurst two RBI single that plated Norlin and Minnick. The Bulldogs got on the board in the bottom of the inning as Drew White led off with a double and made it to third as Jackson Dietel reached on a fielder's choice. Brayden Whitchurch grounded into a double play to score White and score the first run against the Hornets this season.
Carroll got the run back for the Hornets in the top of the ninth with a solo homer to center. Three walks, two wild pitches and a fielder's choice gave SWOSU a run in the bottom of the ninth before
Coleton Crisp came in to get the final two outs.
Blake Carroll was three for four with an RBI and two runs scored for the Hornets.
Sam Chaput had three RBI with his home run.
Jared Kengott pitched 5.0 scoreless, allowing just four hits with three walks and two hit batters to pick up his first win.
The Hornets will wrap up their opening weekend on Sunday when they take on Henderson State. First pitch from Edmond, Okla. is set for 4:00 p.m.
