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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Joplin, Mo. - Conner Crumbliss, Brian Majors and Eric Shortell each drove in two runs to lead the No. 5-ranked Emporia State Hornets to their 26th straight victory, 9-1 over the Missouri Southern Lions Friday night (Apr. 11) at Joe Becker Stadium. The win moves the Hornets to within a game of tying the all-time MIAA record for consecutive victories. The Hornets (33-3, 19-0 MIAA) charged to a 5-0 lead after two innings thanks to a pair of Lion errors that led to five unearned runs against starter Tyler Lipscomb. Crumbliss had a two-run double and Majors hit a two-run homer in a four-run first inning for Emporia. Kellen Lane then added an RBI single in the second that gave the Hornets a five-run lead. The Lions (12-21, 10-9 MIAA) trailed 8-0 in the eighth when Derek Ezell smashed a solo home run to center field that assured the Lions would avoid the shutout. ESU starting pitcher Brock Nehls was solid all night, going eight innings and allowing only run and striking out eight. Lipscomb pitched six innings for Southern and allowed seven runs, but only two earned with three strikeouts. The two schools will continue the four-game series with a pair of seven-inning outings tomorrow (Apr. 12) starting at 1 p.m.
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