|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Joplin, Mo. - The No. 5-ranked Emporia State Hornets won their 29th straight contest with a 15-2 victory over the Missouri Southern Lions to complete a four-game sweep Sunday afternoon (Apr. 13) at Joe Becker Stadium. After MSSU starter Ryan Estes retired the first two hitters in the first, the Hornet bats came alive as Eric Shortell drew a walk, stole second and then scored on a single by Keith Hernandez for the first run of the game. Hernandez later scored on a wild pitch and then Kevin Wempe followed that with a two-run single to give the Hornets a 4-0 lead. The Lions (12-24, 10-12 MIAA) would cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second on a two-run, two-out triple by Skyler Rawlins that scored Matt Imrie and Matt Mantle that made it 4-2. Andy Anderson put the Hornets (36-3, 22-0 MIAA) up 5-2 with an RBI single in the third before ESU erupted for three runs in the fourth and six more in the fifth to take a commanding 14-2 lead. ESU starter Ryan Anthony was the winning pitcher after throwing five innings and allowing two runs on four hits. Anthony also had three strikeouts and walked three. Hernandez and Kevin Wempe each drove in three runs to lead the Emporia offensive attack. ESU's Brian Majors drove in one run but went 0-6 to snap his 29 game hitting streak, which was three shy of tying the all-time MIAA record. The Lions will look to get back on a winning note with a seven and nine-inning doubleheader at Southwest Baptist on Tuesday (Apr. 15) beginning at 2 p.m. in Bolivar, Mo. The Lions swept the Bearcats in a pair of games earlier this season in Joplin.
|