February 21, 2023 – The Hornets allowed six solo home runs and were unable to mount a comeback as Emporia State fell 6-3 against Northwestern Oklahoma in a midweek matchup on Tuesday afternoon.
In the first inning, Emporia State recorded a pair of hits but were unable to convert as they were held scoreless. Northwestern Oklahoma took the lead in the bottom of the first as they lifted a leadoff homerun to take a 1-0 lead over the Hornets.
Following the homerun, the Hornets were able to respond and tie the game in the top of the second inning.
Palmer Hutchison led off the second with a leadoff home run, his third of the season, as the game was tied 1-1 through the second inning.
The Rangers were able to regain their advantage in the bottom of the third as they recorded three solo home runs to take a 4-1 lead over the Hornets through three innings.
Following a scoreless fourth inning by both the Hornets and the Rangers, Emporia State was able to add their second run of the game.
Jake Bucovetsky reached on a fielder's choice, which drove in
Brenden Tauber as the Hornets cut down the Northwestern Oklahoma lead to 4-2.
Two more home runs for the Rangers, one in the sixth and another in the seventh extended their lead over Emporia State to 6-2 entering the final two frames.
In the eighth, Geekie drove in a run following a Ranger throwing error as the Hornets made the score 6-3.
Emporia State was unable to mount a late comeback against the Rangers as the Hornets fell 6-3 in their midweek matchup against Northwestern Oklahoma.
Palmer Hutchison recorded his third three-hit game of the season as he went 3-4 with an RBI and scored two runs for the Hornets.
Brenden Tauber went 2-4 from the plate with a stolen base and a run scored.
Andrew Rantz,
Jake Bucovetsky and
Gibrian Pena each added a hit of their own on Tuesday.
The Hornets will continue their stay in the Sooner State into the weekend as they will begin MIAA play with a three-game series against Northeastern State. First pitch in game one on Friday, February 24 from Tahlequah, Okla. is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
