April 8, 2023 – Emporia State took an early lead over Newman for the second consecutive game but were unable to hold on as they fell to the Jets 2-1 in the series finale Saturday afternoon from McCarthy Field in Wichita, Kan.
In the first inning, Emporia State struck with two outs as
Kadyn Williams singled to left field for the first base runner of the game.
Noah Geekie followed the Williams single with an RBI double into the left center gap to put the Hornets ahead 1-0.
Ian Lanik quickly settled into the game on the mound for Emporia State as he stranded a leadoff walk in the first inning before striking out the side in the bottom of the second as the Hornets held their 1-0 lead through two innings.
The third hit of the game for Emporia State came in the third inning with two-out single from
Brenden Tauber but the Hornets were held scoreless in the third.
Newman led off the bottom half of the third with a single into centerfield, but
Ian Lanik was once again able to escape unscathed as Emporia State maintained their 1-0 lead.
Following a scoreless fourth inning from the Hornets, Newman finally broke through with a pair of runs in the bottom half. An RBI single from Carson Hawks and an RBI groundout from Dalton Smith gave the Jets a 2-1 lead through four innings.
The pitching dual between
Ian Lanik and Newman starting pitcher Nate Denniston continued through the middle innings as both teams were retired in order in the fifth inning. Newman recorded a two-out double in the sixth inning but were held in check by Lanik as the Hornets still trailed 2-1 through six innings.
Emporia State applied pressure to Denniston in the seventh inning as
Kadyn Williams and
Noah Geekie both reached base as they were hit by pitch. A groundout advanced both runners as Geekie stood on second base as the potential go-ahead run. With one out, the Hornets were doubled off on a lineout to the third basemen which ended the scoring threat in the seventh with Emporia State still trailing 2-1.
Ian Lanik continued his strong outing with a scoreless bottom of the seventh before the Hornets led off the second consecutive inning with a base runner as
Palmer Hutchison drew a leadoff walk in the eighth. Following a strikeout and a fielder's choice, a two-out single from
Chandler Bloomer forced the Jets to make a move to the bullpen. The Hornets were unable to convert on the opportunity as both runners were left on base.
The final inning of work for
Ian Lanik came in the bottom of the eight as he retired the 2-3-4 hitters for Newman to bring the Hornets back to the plate in the ninth.
A lone single from
TJ Racherbaumer was the only hit for Emporia State in the ninth inning as they came up short 2-1 in the series finale against Newman.
Five different Hornets recorded a base hit in the game and
Noah Geekie went 1-3 while driving in the lone run for Emporia State.
On the mound,
Ian Lanik pitched 8.0 innings and allowed just two runs on six hits. Lanik struck out five batters and allowed just one walk.
The Hornets will return to action with their final MIAA midweek matchup against Pittsburg State on Tuesday, April 11. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. from Al Ortolani Field in Pittsburg, Kan.
