February 20, 2024 – Emporia State struggled to contain the Northwestern Oklahoma offense as the Hornets dropped their midweek matchup 11-4 on Tuesday afternoon.
Emporia State got the scoring started early as a pair of two-out hits gave the Hornets a 1-0 lead in the first. With two outs,
Austin Hamm doubled into right center to set up an RBI chance for
Patryk Hernandez who came through with an RBI single into left center to put Emporia State ahead 1-0.
Greg Ross got his first start of the season and just the third of his career and quickly went to work against the Northwestern Oklahoma lineup. Ross took just 16 pitches to retire the Rangers in order through the first two innings.
The Hornets picked up another two-out hit in the third from
Kadyn Williams but were unable to add to their lead before Northwestern Oklahoma rallied to take the lead in the bottom half. The Rangers used five hits, including a two-run home run to score four in the third and take a 4-1 lead over the Hornets.
In the fourth, Emporia State grabbed a run back on a solo home run from
Patryk Hernandez to trim the deficit to 4-2 and the Hornets kept the Rangers in check in the bottom half.
The Hornets would strike again with two outs in the fifth inning as they tied the game 4-4
. With two outs,
Kadyn Williams reached on an error before
Austin Hamm delivered a two-run home run, his second of the season, to bring the score level.
Following a scoreless sixth inning from both teams and a three-up, three-down seventh from the Hornets, Northwestern Oklahoma put together six-run rally in the bottom half to build a 10-4 lead over the Hornets.
Emporia State managed just one hit over the final two innings and the Rangers added one run in the eighth as the Hornets fell 11-4 in their Tuesday matchup against Northwestern Oklahoma.
Patryk Hernandez and
Austin Hamm each went 2-4 with two RBI and a home run.
Kadyn Williams,
Mason Sturdy and
Dylan Brisbois each recorded a hit of their own.
Emporia State will return to action on Friday, February 23 as they begin a three-game series to open MIAA action against Northwest Missouri. Game one is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday in Maryville, Mo.
