February 12, 2022 – A five-run fifth inning proved to be crucial for Emporia State as they took home a 6-5 victory over CSU-Pueblo on Saturday afternoon from Trusler Sports Complex.
After forcing the Thunderwolves to go three and out in the first inning,
Sam Chaput led off the bottom half with a leadoff double off the centerfield wall. Following a groundout to advance Chaput to third and a hit-by-pitch, Lucas Rich drove in the run with a groundout to the right side of the infield.
The game would remain scoreless until the top of the fourth inning when Brady Prewitt hit a leadoff single up the middle. Following a passed ball and a wild pitch, Prewitt was able to advance to third. After consecutive strikeouts, Kysen Howard singled up the middle to score Prewitt and put CSU-Pueblo on the board. Tyson Pallatt then followed the RBI single with a walk. Gavin Rapoza was able to reach on an overthrow which allowed Howard to score from second which gave the Thunderwolves a 2-1 lead.
In the top half of the fifth inning, CSU-Pueblo was able to work the bases loaded before Trey Vasquez was hit by a pitch to add on to the lead.
Chandler Ashby came in to relive
Jarrett Seaton and immediately got a bases-loaded strikeout to end the threat.
Emporia State responded well with
Brenden Tauber recording a walk before
Sam Chaput singled through the right side. On the hit, Tauber advanced to third which forced an errant throw allowing him to score and Chaput to advanced to second. Back-to-back singles by
Blake Carroll and
Kadyn Williams loaded the bases for Emporia State. After a foul out to the third baseman and a pitching change by the Thunderwolves,
Javier Pena walked on four pitches to score Chaput and tie the game 3-3. CSU-Pueblo recorded a strikeout, but a passed ball allowed the runners to move up and the Hornets to take a 4-3 lead. Chanler Bloomer was able to come through with a two-out single and score Pena and Williams.
CSU-Pueblo made a strong push against Ashby in the eighth inning with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single that closed the gap to 6-5. With two on and two out,
Kadyn Williams was able to make a leaping catch at third base to strand the runners and maintain the Emporia State lead.
Carl Aikman would clinch the game for the Hornets by recording a four-out save including a pair of strikeouts for the final two outs of the game to give Emporia State a 6-5 win.
Jarrett Seaton received a no decision after 4.2 innings of work where he only allowed 5 hits and recorded 7 strikeouts.
Chandler Ashby got his first win of the season after 3 innings where he allowed 2 hits and struck out 6 batters. Aikman retained his 0.00 ERA this season and recorded his second save.
Sam Chaput and
Noah Geekie each went two for four from the plate to pace the Hornet offense.
The Hornets will look to tie the four-game series on Sunday as they take on the Thunderwolves in the final game of the series. First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Glennen Field at Trusler Sports Complex.
