April 24, 2022 – Emporia State was unable to hold off late rally by Missouri Western as the Hornets fell 6-5 on Sunday afternoon.
Emporia State was able to score in the first inning for the third straight game.
Sam Chaput tripled to right field to lead off the game and then was able to score on a passed ball to put the Hornets in front 1-0.
Both teams were held in check through the fifth inning as
Aaron Bechtel started on the mound for Emporia State and held Missouri Western to just three hits with five strikeouts through five innings.
The offense returned in the sixth inning with the Hornets at the plate.
Sam Chaput doubled to left field to leadoff the inning and bring
Javier Pena to the plate. Down to two strikes, Pena homered to left field and give the Hornets a 3-0 lead over the Griffons.
Missouri Western was able to start applying pressure to Bechtel in the sixth inning as he was replaced by
Dawson Smith with two outs and the bases loaded
with the Hornets leading 3-1. Smith only allowed one run to score and stranded the bases loaded to keep Emporia State ahead 3-2 heading to the seventh inning.
In the seventh, the Hornets were retired in order before the Griffons took the lead with a full count, two-out grand slam to take a 6-3 lead over Emporia State.
The Hornets responded in the eighth inning with two runs to trim the deficit to just one run. After consecutive groundouts to start the inning,
Blake Carroll started the two-out rally with a single through the right side.
TJ Racherbaumer reached base for the third time in the game with a double into left field to put two runners in scoring position.
Kadyn Williams was then hit on the second pitch of the at-bat to load the bases.
Dylan Werries singled to score two runs as the Hornets finished the eighth inning trailing 6-5.
Emporia State retired Missouri Western in order in the bottom of the eighth inning before coming to bat in the ninth.
Sam Chaput drew a walk with two outs to bring the go-ahead run to the plate. Chaput stole second base to move into scoring position but was unable to move any further as the Hornets fell 6-5 in the series finale.
Aaron Bechtel went 5.2 innings allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five batters.
At the plate,
Sam Chaput went 3-4 with walk and two runs scored. Chaput was a home run shy of the cycle.
TJ Racherbaumer and
Dylan Werries each had two hits in the game and
Javier Pena had a two-run home run.
Emporia State will return to Emporia for the final home game of the season in a midweek matchup from Glennen Field on Tuesday, April 26 against Oklahoma Baptist. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
