February 11, 2023 - Emporia State baseball struggled offensively in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon as the Hornets fell 3-1 in game one and 11-1 in game two against Minot State.
Game 1
Minot State jumped out to a quick start in the first inning of game one as they scored a pair of runs with two outs as the Beavers took a 2-0 lead on the Hornets.
Emporia State went down in order in the first before the Hornets earned their first base runner with a walk from Quinton Carlberg in the second inning, but the Hornets were unable to score as they still trailed 2-0 through two innings.
The score remained 2-0 through four innings before the Beavers would add their third and final run of game one.
Following two strikeouts to begin the fifth, Minot State again scored with two outs as they took a 3-0 lead over Emporia State.
Emporia State found their way onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth as Andrew Rantz lifted a lead off home run to left field to trim the deficit to 3-1.
The Hornets were unable to inch any closer as they fell 3-1 in seven innings in game one of the doubleheader.
Emporia State tallied two hits in game one with Andrew Rantz and Gibrian Pena recording one each.
Game 2
Game two of the doubleheader started off slow as both starting pitchers took control of the game early as the Hornets and Beavers combined for just three hits in the first three innings.
Minot State struck first as they lifted a solo home run to left field to take a 1-0 lead over Emporia State through four innings.
The Beavers continued to apply the pressure as they added ten runs over the next four runs as they led the Hornets 11-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning.
Emporia State was able to score their lone run in the eighth inning as Jake Daneff hit a pinch-hit solo home run down the right field line for his first career home run to make the score 11-1.
The Hornets were unable to add to the Daneff home run as Emporia State fell 11-1 in eight innings against Minot State in game two.
The Hornets tallied four hits in game two with Jake Bucovetsky going 2-3 at the plate while Jake Daneff and Kase Johnson each recorded a hit of their own.
Emporia State will conclude their four-game series against Minot State on Sunday, February 12. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. from Rock Creek HS.
