February 8, 2025 – Emporia State fell 5-3 against Southern Arkansas on Saturday at the HSU Invite as two runs in the top of the ninth from the Muleriders proved to be the difference.
The Muleriders got the scoring started in the first against the Hornet starter
Cade Barton and would double their advantage in the third inning a two-out solo home run. Emporia State's first run came in the bottom half to cut the deficit in half.
With one out,
Peyton Lewis doubled and eventually came in to score on an RBI groundout by
Noah Steele. Southern Arkansas increased their lead to 3-1 in the fourth. The Muleriders loaded the bases with no outs, but
Eli Hernandez limited the damage to just one run.
Both teams went silent on offense through the middle innings before the Hornets pulled level in the bottom of the sixth. A one-out single by
Dominic Felix was followed by
Cooper Schwindt, who homered to make the score 3-3.
The Hornet and Mulerider bullpens retired both teams in order through the seventh and eighth before Southern Arkansas broke through in the ninth. A two-run home run from Jayden Hill put the Muleriders ahead 5-3, as the Hornets needed a rally in their last at-bat.
With one out, Emporia State put two runners on base but were unable to rally any further as the final out from the potential game-winning run came on a deep flyout to left field.
Dominic Felix and
Cooper Schwindt each had two hits in the game, while Schwindt drove in two on his sixth inning home run.
On the mound,
Cade Barton allowed two runs in 3.0 innings as the starter.
Eli Hernandez picked up five strikeouts in 4.0 relief innings.
The Hornets will wrap up their weekend at the HSU Invitational on Sunday, February 9 as they take on hosts Henderson State. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
