The Emporia State baseball team didn’t solve its hitting problems on Monday against Northwest Missouri State.
Fortunately for the Hornets, though, they made the most of the hits they had, salvaging a split with a 2-1 victory before losing 4-2 in the nightcap to the Bearcats in Maryville, Mo.
“It just comes down to... we’re not swinging the bats,” ESU coach Bob Fornelli said. “We scored eight runs in four games this weekend. We’re lucky to get out of there with a win.
“There’s only so much we can do. We’ve just got to keep fighting through it.”
In its win, ESU managed just one hit against Northwest starter Bret Harvel.
Mark McBratney made sure to make it count, though, homering down the left-field line in the second inning to give ESU a 1-0 lead.
McBratney also provided the game-winning run in the fifth, getting to third base on an error by Brandon Kirsch. Brian Majors later drove him in with an RBI groundout.
Meanwhile, it was Brock Nehls who was the real standout for ESU. The starter allowed just one run in a complete-game effort, striking out seven.
“Brock was unbelievable today,” Fornelli said. “He threw well and threw like he’s capable.”
In Game Two, Northwest jumped out early on ESU’s Brett Brandon, scoring two first-inning runs and knocking the starter out after a single inning.
Daniel Waggoner gave the Hornets solid relief, allowing just two runs over the final seven innings.
“Two out of the three pitchers we threw today gave us a chance to win,” Fornelli said. “We just couldn’t get anything done offensively.”
ESU had eight hits in Game Two but mustered just two runs, both coming in the third inning.
McBratney was again the offensive highlight, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
“There’s no question that he’s the guy that will help get us going,” Fornelli said. “Today was a good sign for him. Hopefully he can come out Wednesday and continue that and other guys can follow.”
ESU (23-17, 12-8 MIAA) will travel to face Pittsburg State on Wednesday.
Monday at Maryville, Mo.
Game One
ESU 2, NW Missouri 1
Emporia State 010 010 0 — 2 1 0
Northwest Missouri 001 000 0 — 1 7 1
W — Nehls. L — Harvel.
E — NWMSU: Kirsch. DP — ESU 1; NWMSU 1. LOB — NWMSU 4. 2B — NWMSU: Bradshaw. HR — ESU: McBratney. HBP — ESU: Majors. SH — ESU: Sharp; NWMSU: Benham.
Game Two
NW Missouri 4, ESU 2
Emporia State 002 000 000 — 2 8 1
Northwest Missouri 201 001 00X — 4 12 2
W — Disselhoff. L — Waggoner. Sv — Whittle.
E — ESU: Barger; NWMSU: White; Bush. DP — ESU 2; NWMSU 1. LOB — ESU 10; NWMSU 8. 2B — ESU: Majors; NWMSU: Bradshaw; Westman,B.; Schonhoff; DeMott. HBP — ESU: Barger; NWMSU: DeMott. SH — ESU: Majors; NWMSU: Bradshaw; Schonhoff. SB — ESU: McBratney 2. CS — NWMSU: Bradshaw.