May 2, 2026 – Emporia State baseball was locked in a pitcher's duel with Northeastern State in the series finale on Saturday, with all three runs coming in the eighth inning as the Hornets completed the sweep with a 2-1 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jake Khasaempanth made his eighth start of the season on Saturday, and despite two runners reaching in the top of the first, the junior stranded both for a scoreless frame. Emporia State stranded a runner of their own in the bottom half as the pitching duel was underway through one inning.
Khasaempanth managed four scoreless innings to mark the longest start of his career as the score remained knotted at 0-0. Emporia State put a runner on base in six of the first seven innings but were unable to push a run across as the game headed to the eighth with both teams still scoreless.
In the eighth, Northeastern State scraped a run across against
Grant Huffman who entered for his 20th appearance to take a 1-0 lead over the Hornets.
The top of the order was due up for Emporia State in the bottom half, and
Logan Myers continued his proficiency in reaching base by drawing a leadoff walk. With one out,
Frankie Santiago was hit by a pitch to put the go-ahead run on first before making way for
Sammy Padilla to pinch-run.
Noah Steele then delivered an RBI single to right field on an eight-pitch at-bat to score Myers and tie the game 1-1.
Padilla, who advanced to third on the Steele single, then scored on a bunt single by
Brady Unrein to put the Hornets ahead 2-1.
Grant Huffman remained in the game for Emporia State in the ninth and needed just eight pitches to retire the Riverhawks in order, sealing the series sweep and his third win of the season.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State tallied six hits in the game, with
Noah Steele going 3-4 with an RBI in the game.
Logan Myers also reached base three times in the game, going 1-2 with two walks and a run scored.
On the mound,
Jake Khasaempanth pitched 4.0 shutout innings for his longest career outing.
Owen Ruge,
Rico Merlo and
Nick Woodcock all tossed shutout relief innings.
Grant Huffman then pitched the final two frames, picking up his third win of the season.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will be the sixth seed at the MIAA Tournament next week in Edmond, Okla. The quarterfinals will take place on Thursday, May 7 at Wendell Simmons Field.
