February 9, 2025 – Emporia State baseball fell in their final game of the HSU Invitational 5-3 against the hosts from Henderson State on Sunday.
The Hornets were retired in order to start the game and the Reddies quickly put two on base against
Seth Stover who got the start for Emporia State. Stover picked off the lead runner at second base and then picked up the next two outs to keep the game knotted at 0-0.
Henderson State again put the leadoff hitter on the second, before
TJ Racherbaumer caught the Reddies stealing, helping Stover keep the game scoreless.
Emporia State's first scoring threat came in the third inning, as a single and two walks loaded the bases with one out. The Hornets' chances ended with a double play as the score remained 0-0.
The deadlock was broken by the Reddies in the fourth, as a three-run home run with two outs gave Henderson State a 3-0 lead. Following a scoreless fifth, the Hornets got on the board with two runs in the sixth.
Elijah Reeves started the inning with a bunt single and was followed by a walk from
Andy Pacheco. Reeves and Pacheco advanced on a wild pitch before an RBI from
Jovanni Toledo scored Reeves to make the score 3-1. Pacheco came in to score on a fielder's choice by Schwindt as the Hornets cut the deficit to 3-2.
Henderson State picked up a run in the bottom half, to push their lead back to 4-2 where the score settled until the bottom of the eighth. An RBI fielder's choice pushed across another run as Emporia State trailed 5-2 heading to their final at-bat.
TJ Racherbaumer led off the ninth with a home run down the right field line, his third of the season to make the score 5-3.
Gus Keller followed Racherbaumer with a pinch-hit walk, but the Hornets were unable to rally any further, falling to Henderson State 5-3.
Five Hornets recorded a hit in the game with
Logan Myers going 2-4 at the plate.
TJ Racherbaumer hit his third home run of the season while
Elijah Reeves and
Andy Pacheco each scored a run.
On the mound,
Seth Stover struck out three in 4.0 innings in his second start of the season.
Emporia State will be back in action on Friday, February 14 for their home opener as they begin a four-game series against Concordia-St. Paul. First pitch in game one between the Hornets and Golden Bears is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
