February 10, 2023 – Emporia State held a one-run lead through seven innings against Minot State before the Beavers put together a late rally as the Hornets fell 7-2 on Friday afternoon.
Minot State attempted to apply pressure to the Hornets as they led off the game with an infield single before Emporia State starter
Graham Brunner generated a double play and a strikeout to keep the Beavers scoreless in the first inning.
Emporia State earned their first baserunner of the game as
Gibrian Pena was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the first inning. Pena stole second before advancing to third on a Minot State error, but the Hornets were unable to score Pena ass Emporia State remained tied 0-0 with Minot State through the first inning.
Both pitchers continued to settle into the game until the Hornets generated the first breakthrough of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Quinton Carlberg started the inning with a walk before single by
Jake Bucovetsky advanced Carlberg to third base as the Hornets had runners on the corners with no outs.
Noah Geekie drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single to center field as the Hornets took a 1-0 lead over the Beavers ending the innings with a pair of runners on base.
Minot State took little time to respond as they led off the sixth inning with a solo home run to tie the game 1-1. The Beavers were able to put two runners on base with two outs as the Hornets were forced to go to the bullpen.
Ian Lanik replaced Brunner who went 5.2 innings allowing one run on four hits while striking out four batters. Lanik stranded both runners as he recorded a strikeout to bring the Hornets back to the plate in the bottom of the sixth.
After a scoreless bottom of the sixth for the Hornets and top of the seventh for the Beavers, Emporia State regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh.
Following a leadoff single by
Quinton Carlberg and a Minot State error, Bucovetsky advanced Carlberg to third base.
Noah Geekie recorded his second RBI of the game with an fielder's choice that gave Emporia State a 2-1 lead over the Beavers.
Minot State was able to put together a rally in the top of the eighth inning as the Beavers lifted a two-run home run to left field with one out as they took a 3-2 lead over the Hornets. Minot State would add another run in the inning following a wild pitch before the Hornets were able to strand the bases loaded to keep the deficit at 4-2.
Quinton Carlberg recorded a two-out triple in the bottom of the eighth but the Hornets were unable to convert the run as the game entered the ninth inning with the Beavers still leading 4-2.
The Beavers were able to add another three runs in the top of the ninth and the Hornets were retired in order as Emporia State fell 7-2 to Minot State on Friday afternoon from Rock Creek HS.
Quinton Carlberg went 2-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
Noah Geekie went 1-4 with two RBI.
Emporia State will return to action on Saturday, February 11 as they will play a doubleheader against Minot State from Rock Creek HS. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.
