March 1, 2024 – Emporia State fell 9-8 against Washburn in game one of the Turnpike Tussle as a late rally from the Ichabods proved to be the difference.
In the top of the first, Washburn jumped in front of Emporia State, using four hits with three straight to open the game as the Ichabods led 3-0 heading into the bottom of the first. The first two hitters for Emporia State reached on a hit-by-pitch but the Hornets were unable to push the runners across as they trailed 3-0 heading to the second inning.
After a scoreless top of the second from the Ichabods, Emporia State nearly broke through with two outs.
Joe Daneff drew a two-out walk and after an
Andrew Rantz double, Daneff was thrown out at home following a relay from Washburn.
Washburn would add two more runs in the third as a triple and a two-run home run pushed the Ichabod lead to 5-0 over the Hornets. Emporia State broke through on the scoreboard with three runs in the bottom half. With one out,
Kadyn Williams and
Austin Hamm hit back-to-back home runs to cut the Washburn lead to 5-2. With two outs,
TJ Racherbaumer tripled into the right center gap to score
Patryk Hernandez as the Hornets cut the deficit to 5-3.
Emporia State starter
Cade Barton held the Ichabods scoreless in the fourth before the Hornets posted another three-run frame to take a 6-5 lead.
Austin Hamm homered for the second time to drive in all three runs for the Hornets in the bottom of the fourth.
Both teams were kept off the board in the fifth and sixth inning as Emporia State held their 6-5 lead entering the late innings.
Cade Barton finished with 6.0 innings pitched with five earned runs and five strikeouts.
The Hornets scraped together two more runs in the seventh on a balk and a fielding error from the Ichabods as their lead grew to 8-5.
In the eighth, a solo home run from Washburn trimmed the Emporia State lead to 8-6 heading into the ninth. In the top of the ninth, the Hornets got a strikeout for the first out. After two walks for the Ichabods, Washburn tripled to drive in both runners and tie the game 8-8. A single through the right side gave the Ichabods the 9-8 lead.
Emporia State got a walk and a single in the bottom of the ninth as the tying run advanced to second, but the Hornets were unable to tie the game as they fell 9-8 in game one of the Turnpike Tussle.
Austin Hamm went 2-4 with two home runs, four RBI, a walk and three runs scored.
Kadyn Williams and
TJ Racherbaumer each recorded an RBI.
Game two of the Turnpike Tussle is scheduled for Saturday, March 2. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
