February 24, 2023 – Emporia State baseball held Northeastern State to just six hits but were unable to start a rally at the plate as the Hornets fell to the Riverhawks 3-0 on Friday afternoon from Tahlequah, Okla.
The Hornets tallied the first base runner of the game as
Jake Bucovetsky reached on an error with one out in the first but were unable to score as the game headed to the home half of the first inning.
In the bottom half, Northeastern State was to able strike first with a two-out single as the Hornets trailed 1-0 through the first inning.
In the top of the second inning, Emporia State applied pressure to the Riverhawks as a two-out walk drawn by
Brenden Tauber loaded the bases. The inning ended without a run for the Hornets as a ground ball up the middle was deflected tossed to first to end the inning.
Both teams were held scoreless in their next at-bat before the Riverhawks secured their lone earned run off Emporia State starting pitcher
Ian Lanik in the bottom of the third inning as Emporia State trailed 2-0 through three frames.
Emporia State to generate base runners through the middle innings as they still trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning where the Riverhawks added their third and final run of the game to hold a 3-0 lead over the Hornets through five innings.
In the top of the seventh inning, Emporia State had their first runner in scoring position since the second inning as
Kase Johnson doubled down the left field line. The Hornets were unable to convert as they still trailed the Riverhawks 3-0 through seven innings.
The Hornets were able to generate another base runner in the top of the eighth inning but were again held scoreless heading into their final at-bat.
In the final frame, Emporia State had one final chance as they had runners on first and third with two outs following a Northeastern State throwing error. Tauber hit a line drive to right field but the Hornets were unable to score as the right fielder made a diving catch to end the game as Emporia State fell 3-0 on Friday afternoon.
Five different Hornets recorded a hit and seven different Hornets reached base on Friday afternoon. Emporia State left nine runners on base in the game.
On the mound,
Ian Lanik pitched 7.2 innings and allowed three runs and one earned run with six hits while striking out six batters.
Emporia State will conclude their series against Northeastern State on Saturday, February 25 from Tahlequah, Okla. The series finale is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
