March 18, 2026 – Emporia State jumped out to an early lead and had to hold off a comeback attempt by Missouri Western to win game one of their midweek series 10-8 on Wednesday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets have been outscored by opponents 17-12 in the first frame this season, the only inning where Emporia State has scored less than their opponents. However, on Wednesday, the Hornets outscored the Griffons 3-0 courtesy of a three-run home run by
Noah Steele to give Emporia State the early lead.
Jake Khasaempanth made his first Hornet start and worked around a pair of two-out singles to toss a scoreless first. The long ball again added to the Emporia State total in the second, as
Cooper Schwindt led off the inning with a solo home run to make the score 4-0.
After the Griffons scored single runs in both the second and third innings to cut the lead in half, Emporia State responded with two runs in the fourth on RBI from
Evan Abbott and
Noah Steele to make the score 6-2.
Missouri Western's run of single runs continued in the fourth, but the Hornets again answered, this time with three runs in the fifth.
Brady Unrein opened the inning with a hit-by-pitch, and later scored on an RBI fielder's choice by
Tyler Coffin. The inning was capped off by a two-run double from
Evan Abbott to extend the lead to 9-3.
In the bottom half, the Griffons doubled their run total and cut the deficit in half, scoring three runs on two hits and four walks to make the score 9-6.
The sixth was the first scoreless frame by both teams with the score remaining 9-6 heading to the late innings. Emporia State went down in order in the seventh and the Griffons again used two hits and multiple walks to close the gap, as they scored two and loaded the bases with the score 9-8.
Grant Huffman entered from the bullpen for Emporia State and quickly forced a ground ball to pick up the third out and keep the Hornet lead intact.
Emporia State nearly grew their lead in the eighth as the first two batters reached base, but an out on the bases and a double play Emporia State off the board. Huffman remained in the game and retired Missouri Western in order in the bottom half, which included two strikeouts as the 9-8 lead was taken into the ninth.
Emporia State doubled their lead in the ninth, as
Tyler Coffin reached on a hit-by-pitch, advanced to second on wild pitch, moved to third on a fly ball and then scored on sac fly from
Evan Abbott to make the score 10-8. Huffman capped his fourth save of the season by retiring the Griffons in order yet again to seal the 10-8 road win.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Four Hornets posted multi-hit games, including
Evan Abbott who drove in four runs, his fifth game this season with four or more RBI.
Noah Steele and
Cooper Schwindt both homered, with Steele joining Abbott with a four RBI game.
On the mound, Emporia State had seven different pitchers in the game, with
Nick Woodcock picking up his second win of the season.
Grant Huffman came on with two outs in the seventh and retired all seven batters he faced to pick up his fourth save of the season, and third of 2.0 innings or more.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will return home for a four-game series against RMAC foe New Mexico Highlands from Turnbull Field on March 20-22. First pitch of game one on Friday, March 20 is set for 3:00 p.m.
