March 27, 2022 – Emporia State came from behind to take the extra-inning win over Missouri Southern in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
Emporia State and Missouri Southern locked themselves into a pitching duel early in the game. Both teams were held scoreless through the first four innings. The Lions were able to breakthrough for their two lone runs of the game in the fifth inning with a pair of RBI singles.
The Hornets ended their own scoreless stretch in the sixth inning. After two outs in two batters,
Sam Chaput doubled to right field before
Blake Carroll singled up the middle with two strikes to trim the deficit in half. Emporia State would then tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth when Chaput recorded a sacrifice fly to center field.
In the ninth, Missouri Southern was able to get their leadoff hitter on base but were unable to convert as the attempted sacrifice bunt resulted in a force out at second base. The top half of the inning would end on a line drive double play to
Chandler Bloomer at first base.
After the Hornets were unable to score in the ninth, more timely defense came up clutch for the Hornets as the Lions had runners on first and third with no outs in the tenth inning. The Lions flew out to
Sam Chaput in right field and attempted to send the runner home from third base. However, a line drive throw from Chaput to Racherbaumer behind the plate gunned the possible go-ahead run.
Noah Geekie would finish the inning with a strikeout to keep the game tied 2-2.
One final two-out rally proved decisive for Emporia State in the bottom of the tenth. With two outs,
Kase Johnson doubled to center field to set up
Kadyn Williams. After working a full count at the plate, Williams singled into left field to give the Hornets the walk-off win in extra innings.
Jared Kengott went 7.1 innings on the mound for Emporia State and recorded six strikeouts.
Noah Geekie pitched 2.0 innings for the Hornets and received his third win of the season.
At the plate, seven different Hornets recorded a hit highlighted by
Sam Chaput who went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Blake Carroll and
Kadyn Williams each recorded an RBI.
Emporia State will travel to Pittsburg on Tuesday, March 29 for a midweek matchup against Pittsburg State. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
