April 25, 2025 – Emporia State withstood an early push from Arkansas-Fort Smith as the Hornets pulled out a 12-8 win over the Lions to take game one of the series at Turnbull Field.
The Lions were aggressive at the plate in the first inning, scoring three runs on four hits to take an early lead over the Hornets. In the bottom of the first, Emporia State got on the board after a double play and with two outs pulled level, as
TJ Racherbaumer doubled to score two runs as the game was tied 3-3 through one frame.
Arkansas-Fort Smith answered back in the second with three more runs to take a 6-3 lead, and in the bottom half, Emporia State pulled within a run with a two RBI single by
Noah Steele to make the score 6-5.
Graeme Rios, who entered in the second inning, retired the Lions in order in the third before Emporia State continued their scoring with three more runs in the bottom half, including two on a double from
Logan Myers to take an 8-6 advantage.
Following another scoreless frame in the fourth, the Hornets put up their third three-run inning in the bottom half, as
Noah Steele homered to open the inning before a two-out, two RBI double from
Brady Unrein to improve the lead to 11-6 heading to the fifth.
Emporia State completed their scoring in the bottom of the fifth, as
Noah Steele homered for the second time and 15th time this season to extend the lead to 12-6.
The Lions scratched across lone runs in the sixth and again in the ninth but the Hornets held on for the 12-8 win in the series opener.
Noah Steele and
Peyton Lewis each had three hits in the game while Steele homered twice and drove in four runs.
Brady Unrein went 2-3 with two RBI and
TJ Racherbaumer drove in two runs of his own.
On the mound,
Graeme Rios pitched a career-high 5.2 innings in relief and allowed just one run with three strikeouts to pick up his fifth win of the season.
Emporia State will take on Arkansas-Fort Smith in game two of the series on Saturday, April 26 with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
