The Emporia State baseball team had some old demons return on Sunday, mustering just four runs all day in 3-1 and 9-3 losses to Northwest Missouri State at Maryville, Mo.
“Our offense just wasn’t there today,” ESU coach Bob Fornelli said. “We didn’t swing the bats, and it didn’t give us a chance to win either game.”
The Hornets had every opportunity to stay in Game One.
ESU starter Trent Lare pitched a complete game, allowing just three runs (two earned) while striking out four.
“Trent gave us a chance to do some good things,” Fornelli said.
He still wouldn’t get much help from the offense.
The Hornets managed only five hits, with Matt Marasco providing the only run in the seventh on a solo shot to left.
Marasco and Keith Hernandez were the only two Hornet starters with hits, Game One, as both went 2-for-3.
“It’s tough, because our guys that we know can hit and believe they can hit are really struggling,” Fornelli said. “They’re somewhat doubting themselves. They’ve got to get over that and believe in themselves that they’re good hitters and find a way to fight through it.”
Northwest (20-16, 13-5 MIAA) put the second game away early, taking an 8-0 lead through the first five innings.
The biggest blow for ESU came in the second, when Ryley and Britt Westerman hit back-to-back home runs off starter Mickey Lara.
Conner Crumbliss went 3-for-5 in the loss, while Brian Majors and Bill Sharp also added a pair of hits.
ESU (22-16, 11-7) will finish the four-game series with Northwest today, starting a doubleheader at 1 p.m. in Maryville.
Sunday at Maryville, Mo.
Game One
NW Missouri 3, ESU 1
Emporia State 000 000 1 — 1 5 2
NW Missouri 030 000 X — 3 5 0
W — Lamers. L — Lare.
E — ESU: Crumbliss; Anderson. DP — ESU 1. LOB — ESU 5; NWMSU 4. 2B — NWMSU: Westman, R. HR — ESU: Marasco. SH — NWMSU: Disselhoff. SF — NWMSU: Malick. SB — NWMSU: Bradshaw; Bush.
Game Two
NW Missouri 9, ESU 3
Emporia State 000 000 300 — 3 11 0
NW Missouri 021 230 10X — 9 9 0
W — Epley. L — Lara.
DP — NWMSU 3. LOB — ESU 8; NWMSU 4. 2B — ESU: Crumbliss; Sharp 2; NWMSU: White. 3B — NWMSU: Bradshaw. HR — NWMSU: Westman, R.; Westman,B. 2; Kirsch. HBP — ESU: Anderson; NWMSU: Bradshaw. SB — Kirsch.