March 30, 2024 – Emporia State got an early lead for the third straight game, but were unable to hold off the Bronchos as the Hornets fell 9-6 in the series finale on Saturday afternoon.
For the third consecutive game in the series, Emporia State struck first in the top half of the first inning, getting two runs against Central Oklahoma starter Brett Pense in the opening frame.
Logan Myers and
Mason Sturdy got the game started with back-to-back singles. Following the Sturdy single,
Kadyn Williams doubled down the left field line, but the potential run was thrown out at home as the Hornets had two in scoring position with one out. An RBI groundout from
Patryk Hernandez followed by a wild pitch allowed both runners to score as Emporia State took an early 2-0 lead.
Central Oklahoma grabbed a run in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly from Carson Carpenter, but the Hornets held a 2-1 lead heading to the second. Emporia State stranded a leadoff walk in the top half and in the bottom of the second, Central Oklahoma threatened with a runner on second with two outs before
Dylan Brisbois caught the Bronchos attempting to steal third to end the inning.
Scoring resumed in the third inning as Emporia State as the Hornets added two more to their total. With one out,
Mason Sturdy doubled to right field and was followed by a walk from
Kadyn Williams.
Patryk Hernandez picked up his second RBI of the game, this time on a double to score Sturdy and Williams came in to score on a sacrifice fly from
Dom Oliverio. Central Oklahoma made the score 4-2 in the bottom half with a solo home run.
After a scoreless fourth for the Hornets, the Bronchos got four runs to take a 6-4 lead heading to the fifth. Both teams went scoreless in the fifth before Emporia State brought the game level in the sixth.
Patryk Hernandez homered to lead off the inning for his third RBI of the game and after two straight outs,
Joe Daneff homered to make the score 6-6.
Central Oklahoma scored a single run in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings as their lead grew to 9-6 heading into the final frame. Emporia State managed just one hit over the final three frames as they dropped the series finale 9-6 against the Bronchos.
At the plate,
Patryk Hernandez,
Logan Myers and
Mason Sturdy each had two hits while Hernandez drove in three runs, his seventh multi-RBI game of the season.
Dom Oliverio and
Joe Daneff each had one RBI.
Emporia State will return to action on Friday, April 5 as they travel to St. Joseph, Mo. to begin a three-game series against Missouri Western. The orignally scheduled doubleheader against Upper Iowa on Monday, April 1 has been cancelled with no makeup scheduled. First pitch in the Hornets series against the Griffons is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
