April 21, 2026 – Emporia State baseball scored a season-high 25 runs on their way to a 25-15 run-rule win over Fort Hays State on Tuesday, clinching the season series win over the Tigers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jake Khasaempanth made another start in the midweek and used just seven pitches to retire the Tigers in order in the top of the first.
In the bottom half, the Hornets put together their first of five big innings on the afternoon. Emporia State drew three walks in the first four batters, and then got a grand slam off the bat of
Nathon Cruz to quickly take a 4-0 lead.
Following a scoreless second frame, and a third scoreless inning by Khasaempanth in the top of the third, Emporia State again piled on four runs in the bottom half.
Tyler Coffin got the inning started with a solo home run, his second of his career.
Noah Steele then drew a walk and with one out
Nathon Cruz was hit by a pitch.
Dylan Brisbois followed Cruz with his sixth homer of the season as the Hornet lead swelled to 8-0.
The Tigers picked up their offense in the fourth, scoring five runs on five hits to cut the deficit to three. However, Emporia State returned the favor in the bottom half, as they restored their eight-run advantage heading to the fifth.
Owen Ruge, who picked up his first win of the season, pitched a shutout fifth frame on the with just eight pitches. Emporia State then scored five in the bottom of the fifth, increasing their lead to 18-5, the largest of the game.
The bullpen was unable to keep the Tigers at bay in the sixth however, as five hits and two walks resulted in a seven-run inning as Fort Hays State closed the gap to 18-12.
In the bottom of the sixth, Emporia State would add a pair of runs but again faced pressure from the Fort Hays State offense as they scored three more runs in the top of the seventh to close the gap further to 20-15.
Emporia State's final at-bat in the bottom of the seventh, began with consecutive walks to
Gus Keller and
Logan Myers, and after a sac bunt by
Tyler Coffin,
Noah Steele went deep for the second time in the afternoon and 16th time this season to make the score 23-15. The Hornets then scraped across two more runs with
Brady Unrein scoring after a double to left and then
Cooper Schwindt capped the run-rule with an RBI single to seal the series win.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
The Hornets had 16 hits, their 12th game with 15 or more hits in a game this season. Seven players posted multi-hit games, with
Cooper Schwindt going 3-6 with four RBI.
Noah Steele and
Nathon Cruz both drove in five runs, with Steele hitting two homers. Emporia State also drew 13 walks, the second-most in a game this season.
UP NEXT
Emporia State travels up the turnpike for a three-game series against Washburn at Steve Anson Stadium. The Hornets and Ichabods begin the series on Friday, April 24 at 5:00 p.m.
