April 30, 2023 - Emporia State used a six-run third inning and stifled a late Central Oklahoma as the Hornets secured a 7-6 win on Senior Day.
Noah Geekie took the mound for the Hornets and started the game with the first of his seven strikeouts in the game. Kaleb Glass got the Bronchos on the board first with a solo home run with one-out, but finished the inning with just one run allowed and two strikeouts.
In the bottom half, Geekie answered with a solo home run of his own, his fourth of the season as the Hornets tied the game 1-1.
Central Oklahoma used three consecutive one-out hits to regain a 2-1 lead over Emporia State in the second inning.
Chandler Bloomer and Brenden Tauber each reached base in the bottom of the second but the Hornets were held scoreless as the Bronchos held their lead.
The Bronchos used back-to-back singles to start the third before a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly doubled the Central Oklahoma lead to 3-1.
Emporia State broke through in the third inning as Noah Geekie again got things started with a leadoff single before advancing to third on a double from Patryk Hernandez which set up TJ Racherbaumer with two runners in scoring position. Racherbaumer wasted little time as he drove his fifth home run of the season over the right field wall to give the Hornets a 4-3 lead.
Following the first out of the inning, Chandler Bloomed doubled and Kase Johnson was hit by a pitch before Brenden Tauber singled through the right side to score Johnson and extend the lead to 5-3. Kadyn Williams followed Tauber with a two RBI single as Emporia State capped off a six-run inning to lead Central Oklahoma 7-3.
Central Oklahoma looked to respond as three consecutive singles with one out loaded the bases against Geekie. Geekie forced a fielder's choice ground ball and a flyout to escape the jam and maintain the 7-3 lead for the Hornets.
The Bronchos' bullpen arms were able to keep the Hornets in check for the remainder of the game, despite Emporia State reaching base in each inning.
Noah Geekie used the bases loaded jam to maintain his momentum on the mound as he kept the Bronchos off the scoreboard through the eighth inning.
In the ninth, the Bronchos looked to rally as they began with back-to-back singles, which forced the Hornets to bring in Will Hann from the bullpen. Hann recorded the first out but following an RBI single and a two RBI triple, Emporia State made another change as Greg Ross took over on the mound.
Greg Ross entered with the potential tying run on third base with the Hornets leading 7-6. Ross forced a pair of fly outs to Brenden Tauber in center field as he clinched the 7-6 win for Emporia State and his fifth save of the season.
Kadyn Williams, Noah Geekie, Chandler Bloomer and Brenden Tauber each recorded two hits of their own. TJ Racherbaumer reached base twice with a home run, one walk, and three RBI.
Noah Geekie picked up his sixth win of the season as he pitched 8.0 innings with seven strikeouts and just one walk.
Emporia State graduates five seniors from this season's team.
