Baseball | 1/30/2024 4:36:00 PM
Emporia State Hornets (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
vs. East Central Tigers (0-0, 0-0 GAC)
Thursday, February 1 • 2:00 p.m. • Edmond, Okla.• Wendell Simmons Field
Series Record: First Meeting • Last Meeting: First Meeting
vs. Oklahoma Baptist Bison (0-0, 0-0 GAC)
Friday, February 2 • 9:30 a.m. • Edmond, Okla.• Wendell Simmons Field
Series Record: OBU leads 13-3 • Last Meeting: OBU 23, ESU 17 (4/18/23)
vs. New Mexico Highlands Cowboys (0-0, 0-0 RMAC)
Saturday, February 3 • 11:00 a.m. • Edmond, Okla.• Wendell Simmons Field
Series Record: First Meeting • Last Meeting: First Meeting
Video: The MIAA Network • Live Stats: esuhornets.com
Up Next: Colorado School of Mines • Feb. 9-11 • Emporia, Kan.
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NEW ERA BEGINS
Emporia State travels to Edmond, Okla. to begin the Brad Hill era at the Edmond First Pitch Classic.
THE COACHES
Brad Hill is entering his first season as the Hornets head coach and has a record of 886-482-3 in his career.
Kevin Paxson is entering his first season at ECU.
Chris Cox is 101-66 entering his fifth season at OBU.
Harry Estep is entering his first season at NMHU.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State was picked eighth in the MIAA Preseason Poll entering the first season under head coach Brad Hill. The Hornets return six position players with at least 18 starts in the 2023 and five pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched last season. Kadyn Williams and TJ Racherbaumer lead the returning position players. Williams was named Honorable Mention All-MIAA after hitting .278 with 49 hits, eight home runs, 43 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Racherbaumer posted a .366 OBP with five home runs and 28 RBI in the 2023 season. On the mound, Ian Lanik and Graham Brunner return as they combined for 67.0 and 55.2 innings pitched respectively last season.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
East Central was picked 12th in the GAC Preseason Poll entering their first season under head coach Kevin Paxson. The Tigers were 9-40 last season and return their leading hitter, Christian Whitak, who posted a .328 batting average with four home runs and 20 RBI last season.
SCOUTING THE BISON
Oklahoma Baptist was picked fourth in the GAC Preseason Poll following a 2023 campaign where the Bison went 32-23. The Bison return three hitters that hit at least .300 last season, led by infielder Jayden Shafer who posted a .357 batting average with seven home runs and 42 RBI.
SCOUTING THE COWBOYS
New Mexico Highlands went 3-47 last season and are entering the first season under head coach Harry Estep. The Cowboys return Chase Stewart and Taigo Sato who both hit over .250 last season. Stewart was third on the team last season with a .284 average, nine extra-base hits and 16 RBI.
UP NEXT
The Hornets return for their home opener against Colorado School of Mines on February 9-11 from Glennen Field.
