February 9, 2024 – Emporia State Baseball used a pair of walk-off hits, including one in the bottom of the 11
th inning, to secure the doubleheader sweep against Colorado School of Mines on Friday from Glennen Field. The Hornets took game one 3-2 and game two 5-4.
Game 1
Mines opened the doubleheader with a two-out RBI single in the first to take a 1-0 lead over the Hornets.
The Hornets were able to knot the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second with an RBI fielder's choice from
Mason Sturdy.
The game continued as a pitching battle over the next three innings as Emporia State starter
Cade Barton limited the Orediggers to just one hit through the third, fourth and fifth innings. Colorado School of Mines finally broke the deadlock in the top of the sixth as the Orediggers took a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly.
Emporia State was retired in order in the sixth and had a final at-bat in the seventh.
After a pair of strikeouts to begin the bottom of the seventh,
Austin Hamm singled to keep the game alive and was followed by a walk from
Kadyn Williams.
Mason Sturdy came to the player and delivered a double into centerfield that just fell in front of the diving centerfielder which allowed both Hamm and Williams to come around and score, giving the Hornets a 3-2 walk-off win in game one of the doubleheader.
Emporia State tallied just four hits in the game while drawing two walks.
Mason Sturdy went 1-3 while driving in all three runs for the Hornets.
Game 2
Colorado School of Mines used a leadoff walk and two singles in the top of the first as they quickly jumped out to a 1-0 lead over the Hornets.
Emporia State quickly responded in the bottom half of the first with a leadoff double from
Konner Hatfield and an RBI single from
Joe Daneff as the Hornets tied the game 1-1 through one inning.
The Hornets would take their first lead in the bottom of the second as a Mines throwing error scored
Mason Sturdy to put Emporia State in front 2-1.
Mines would score two runs with two outs in the fourth and add a solo home run in the sixth, building a 4-2 lead over the Hornets.
An RBI groundout from
Mason Sturdy cut the Orediggers lead in half in the sixth and an RBI fielder's choice from
Joe Daneff in the seventh knotted the score at 4-4.
Both teams were held scoreless over the next three innings, as the game continued into the 11th with the score deadlocked at 4-4.
Relief pitcher
Hayden Baumwart retired the Orediggers in order in the top of the inning as the Hornets came to the plate looking for the walk-off win.
Following a leadoff out,
Andrew Rantz singled through right side on an 0-2 count and then stole second to make his way into scoring position. Following the second out of the inning,
Konner Hatfield singled into centerfield to drive in Rantz and secure the 5-4 walk-off win in game two.
Emporia State managed seven hits in game two with
Konner Hatfield and
Kadyn Williams with two hits each.
Joe Daneff drove in two runs while Hatfield and
Mason Sturdy each recorded an RBI.
The Hornets will return to action on Saturday, February 10 as they take on Colorado School of Mines in a second doubleheader from Glennen Field. Game time for game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
