March 6, 2020 - Five runs in the first three innings proved to be the difference as Northwest Missouri State won the first game of the weekend series 6-1 on Friday afternoon against Emporia State at the Trusler Sports Complex.
After a leadoff groundout to shortstop, Peter Carlson took the first pitch he saw from
Jake Barton over the left field wall to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead in the first inning. After a scoreless bottom half for the Hornets, the Bearcats came out and got two more in the second inning.
Caden Diel singled through the left side to lead off the inning but was picked off by
Cooper Minnick on the following pitch. Donovan Warren reached on a fielding error by
Ryan Krolikowski and after a walk to Tim Olson, leadoff hitter Jacob Pinkerton singled to left to drive in Warren and push the lead to 2-0. With two outs, Olson was able to score on a wild pitch to make the game 3-0.
In the third inning, after striking out the leadoff hitter, Barton allowed four straight singles with one out that resulted in two more runs for the Bearcats. After two scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth, Peter Carlson doubled to left field and advanced to third on the relay. Connor Quick grounded out on an unassisted play by Barton but still was able to drive in Carlson from third and make the score 6-0.
After six scoreless innings,
Sam Chaput finally was able to break through for the Hornets with a home run to left field. The Hornet bullpen held the Bearcats scoreless the final three innings and the Bearcats were able to take the 6-1 win.
Barton took the loss for the Hornets as he allowed six runs, five of which were earned, on ten hits in 6.0 innings with three walks and eight strikeouts.
Sam Chaput was one for three with a home run, one run scored and an RBI.
The Hornets, who dropped their first MIAA game of the season, look to bounce back and take game two of the weekend series against the Bearcats on Saturday. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from Glennen Field at Trusler Sports Complex.
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