April 23, 2022 – Emporia State held off Missouri Western to win 5-3 and clinch the series victory.
For the second straight game, the Hornets jumped in front in the first inning.
Sam Chaput singled through the left side of the infield to leadoff the game. After a failed pickoff attempt allowed Chaput to advance to third,
Blake Carroll singled to score Chaput and give Emporia State a 1-0 lead.
The Griffons were able to answer back in the bottom half of the inning with a run of their own.
In the second, a groundball up the middle by
Mason Sturdy resulted in an error to score
Kadyn Williams and put the Hornets back on top 2-1. Emporia State would score again in the third inning with
TJ Racherbaumer ripping a triple down the right field line to score
Blake Carroll.
Dylan Werries then came to the plate and laid down a bunt single to score Racherbaumer as the Hornets took a 4-1 lead over the Griffons.
Quinn Cherry came to the plate to lead off the fourth inning and doubled down the left field line. Later in the inning, with Cherry on third base, a strikeout got away from the catcher and Cherry sprinted for home on the throw down to first and was able to slide in safely as Emporia State took a 5-1 lead.
Missouri Western managed to score two runs in the bottom of the fourth but the rally was stopped as
Noah Geekie stranded two runners to keep the Hornets in front 5-3.
The Hornet bullpen was able to keep the Griffons off the board for the remainder of the game. Emporia State was able to add an insurance run in the seventh inning.
Javier Pena tripled into right field with one out then was driven in by a
Blake Carroll sacrifice fly to give Emporia State a 6-3 lead that was held to give the Hornets the series win.
Noah Geekie went 4.0 innings allowing three runs.
Jarrett Seaton and
Braden Meek combined for 5.0 scoreless innings in relief to finish the game.
At the plate,
Blake Carroll went 3-3 with a two RBI, a walk and a run scored.
TJ Racherbaumer and
Javier Pena each went 2-5 with a triple.
Emporia State will take on Missouri Western in the series final on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
