April 16, 2023 – Emporia State fell to Washburn 7-6 in the series finale of the Turnpike Tussle as the lead changed hands twice in the ninth inning.
Chandler Bloomer started the first inning for the Hornets with a one-out walk and was followed up by a single from
Noah Geekie to bring up
Patryk Hernandez. Hernandez resumed his hot stretch from Saturday's game with a three-run home run to put Emporia State ahead 3-0 in the first frame.
Washburn responded in the bottom half of the first with a two RBI single from Trey Adams as they trimmed the Hornet lead to 3-2 through one inning.
Ian Lanik and Ichabod starting pitcher Rane Pfeifer both gained control of the game entering the second inning as both teams were held without a run until the top of the fifth, when the Hornets tallied their fourth run of the game.
Quinton Carlberg drew a leadoff walk to start the inning and following a pair of outs,
Noah Geekie tripled to score Carlberg and extend the Emporia State lead to 4-2.
Lanik held the Ichabods scoreless in the fifth before Washburn broke through again in the bottom of the sixth.
The Ichabods scored one run to make the score 4-3 before a two-out double and a walk forced a pitching change as
Greg Ross took the mound for the Hornets. Ross used just two pitches to force a flyout and keep Emporia State in the lead through six innings.
Emporia State was held scoreless in the seventh before Washburn rallied with two runs in the bottom half to take a 5-4 lead over the Hornets.
Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth inning as the Hornets entered the ninth inning trailing 5-4.
Following back-to-back outs to begin the ninth,
Kadyn Williams worked a full count before drawing a two-out walk.
Chandler Bloomer followed Williams with another full count before lifting a home run to center field to put the Hornets ahead 6-5 with two outs in the ninth.
In the bottom half, the Hornets retired the first batter of the inning before the Ichabods put together their own late rally. A hit by pitch was followed by a walk-off home run as Emporia State fell 7-6 in the series finale of the Turnpike Tussle.
Patryk Hernandez went 2-2 with a home run and three RBI while reaching base in all four plate appearances.
Noah Geekie went 2-4 with a triple, one RBI and a walk while
Chandler Bloomer went 1-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
Emporia State will return home for a midweek matchup against Oklahoma Baptist on Tuesday, April 18. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. from Glennen Field.
