HORNET BASEBALL SWEPT IN HOME OPENING DOUBLE HEADER

February 11, 2022-Emporia State was swept by Colorado State-Pueblo in the home opening double header at the Trusler Sports Complex on Friday afternoon.
 
Game 1
The second inning proved costly for the Hornets in a 5-0 loss in the first game of the day.  With a steady wind blowing in from left field Tyson Pallatt hit a three run homer to right field to give the ThunderWolves a 3-0 lead. Later in the inning Reggie Williams would hit an RBI single and Brady Prewitt would follow with an RBI ground out to make it 5-0. After that Emporia State starter Aaron Bechtel settled down and only allowed one single over the next two innings.  He opened the fifth with a hit batter and a walk before being relieved by Braden Meek.  Meek would allow just one hit over the final 3.0 inning with four strikeouts.
 
The Hornet offense could not get on track as they were held to four hits over the seven innings.
 
 
Game 2
Emporia State pitching allowed just two runs in the night cap but the offense was held hitless through the first three innings and only had one hit before the seventh inning in a 2-1 loss.
 
Manny Sierra gave CSU-Pueblo a 1-0 lead in the second with an RBI double.  The ThunderWolves added another run in the fourth.  Two singles and a stolen base put runners on the corners with no outs whey Sierra grounded into a double play to give the Pack and insurance run.
 
Emporia State finally broke through for a run in the bottom of the seventh.  Pinch Hitter TJ Racherbaumer reached on an error and Jack Maki walked to put runners on first and second.  After a pop out and fielder's choice put runners at second and third Noah Geekie hit a sharp line drive to left center. It was hit hard enough that only pinch runner Brenden Tauber was able to score with pinch runner Sawyer Slayden held at third. Sam Chaput would then ground out to end the game.
 
Peyton Carson allowed two runs on six hits in 5.0 innings with eight strikeouts.  The bullpen combo of Cade Barton and Carl Aikman only allowed one hit in the final two innings.  Noah Geekie was two for two with an RBI.
 
The Hornets and ThunderWolves are scheduled to play game three of the four game series on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at the Trusler Sports Complex.