April 18, 2022 – Emporia State took down Northwestern Oklahoma 5-4 in 10 innings on Monday afternoon.
Trouble struck early for the Hornets as the Rangers scored three in the first frame. With two outs, back-to-back walks led an RBI single and a two RBI double to put Northwestern Oklahoma up 3-0 on Emporia State.
After struggling through the first three innings, the Hornets came alive in the fourth inning.
Chandler Bloomer recorded a leadoff single and then with one out,
Mason Sturdy doubled to left center to put two runners in scoring position for
Austin Hamm. Hamm then singled to the left side of the infield to score Bloomer and get the Hornets on the board.
Sam Chaput then singled up the middle to score Sturdy and advance Hamm to third base. After a Chaput stolen base, a balk advanced the runners, allowing Hamm to score and tie the game 3-3.
Blake Carroll then produced a sacrifice fly to score Chaput and Emporia State took a 4-3 lead through four innings.
With two outs in the eighth inning, the Rangers were able to tie the game 4-4 with an RBI single through the right side. The Hornets then went to
Aaron Bechtel out of the bullpen who got the final out of the inning on one pitch. Emporia State went down in order in the bottom of the eight before Bechtel took the mound in the ninth to retire the Rangers in order. The Hornets were unable to score in the ninth as the game went into extra innings.
Zachary Ebert came in to pitch for the Hornets and he was also able to retire the Rangers in order.
The Hornets then went to work in the bottom half of the tenth as
TJ Racherbaumer singled to left field. A sacrifice bunt from
Kadyn Williams advanced
Sawyer Slayden, who pinch ran for Racherbaumer, to second base.
Chandler Bloomer was then hit by a pitch and
Dylan Werries drew a walk to load the bases. After an infield fly,
Austin Hamm came to the plate with two outs and hit a chopping ground ball over the pitcher's head. The second basemen and shortstop came together but could not make a play as the Hornets got the walk-off victory 5-4 over the Rangers.
Emporia State used seven pitchers in the game with
Zachary Ebert taking his second win of the season after a scoreless tenth inning on the mound.
At the plate,
Austin Hamm and
Mason Sturdy each went 2-5 with a run scored while Hamm recorded two RBI.
Sam Chaput and
Blake Carroll each recorded an RBI.
Emporia State will be back in action on Tuesday night as they take on Rockhurst. First pitch from Glennen Field is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
