May 1, 2022 – Emporia State secured an MIAA Tournament berth with an 8-3 win over Central Oklahoma in the series finale.
The Hornets would strike in the first inning for the second time in the series. With one out,
Blake Carroll tripled to right field before scoring on an errant relay throw to put Emporia State ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning.
With his first inning triple, Carroll ties Doug Miller for second all-time at Emporia State with 15 career triples.
After
Noah Geekie held the Bronchos scoreless in the bottom of the first, the Hornets would score again the second.
Kadyn Williams launched a one-out solo home run to right field to double the advantage for Emporia State.
Central Oklahoma scored two runs in the second inning to tie the game before taking the lead in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run.
Braden Meek relieved
Noah Geekie in the bottom of the second inning and allowed just one earned run on the solo home run before keeping the Bronchos scoreless through the sixth inning.
In the seventh, the Hornets came alive at the plate.
TJ Racherbaumer led off the inning with single. Two batters later,
Kadyn Williams hit his second home run of the game on a full count to put Emporia State in front 4-3.
Dylan Werries followed the Williams home run with a single and a stolen base before
Sawyer Slayden drew a walk. After a
Jack Maki line out to the second basemen,
Sam Chaput homered to center field with two strikes and two outs to complete the five-run seventh inning.
The Hornets would add one more run in the ninth inning. With two outs,
Joe Daneff recorded a pinch-hit single before advancing to third on a pair of wild pitches. Chaput drew a walk on wild pitch that allowed Daneff to score giving Emporia State an 8-3 lead.
On the mound,
Noah Geekie went 1.0 innings before
Braden Meek came out of the bullpen to pitch 5.0 innings allowing just one run on three hits while striking out four batters.
Zachary Ebert would finish the game with a three-inning save allowing just two hits and no runs.
At the plate, eight different Hornets recorded a hit and
Kadyn Williams led the way going 2-4 with two home runs and three RBI.
Sam Chaput also had three RBI on his home run in the seventh inning.
Emporia State clinch an MIAA Tournament berth with the win on Sunday. The Hornets will take part in the MIAA Opening Round Series May 6-8.
