Hornets jump out to early lead, hang on to defeat Central Mo.
By Jesse Newell
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Matt Marasco had no shades of the 1975 World Series and no thoughts of giving a Carlton Fisk-like wave to his towering shot in the first inning that kept creeping its way towards the left-field foul pole.
That’s because the Emporia State first baseman never even saw his blast after it left his bat.
“I wasn’t even paying attention. I was just running down to first base,” Marasco said. “I guess that all that matters is what the umpire says.”
In this case, the home-plate umpire ruled fair, giving Marasco a crucial two-run home run in ESU’s 5-3 victory over No. 5 Central Missouri Friday.
Marasco — who has battled through a hamstring injury in the last month — led the ESU offense, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.
“It isn’t fun being injured,” Marasco said, “but it’s nice to get back.”
After a scoreless top of the first, Marasco helped ESU get out to an early lead.
Keith Hernandez’s two-out RBI single drove in Brian Majors to make it 1-0 before Marasco picked on a Ron Martin curveball.
“It just slid inside a little bit,” Marasco said, “and I was able to get a good bat on it.”
The ball easily cleared the fence in left, just staying fair to give the Hornets a 3-0 cushion.
ESU starter Mickey Lara did the work from there.
The left-hander used an effective slider and changeup to stifle Central, which came in leading the conference in batting average, home runs and RBI.
Lara went seven innings, giving up three runs, striking out two and leaving the game with a 4-3 lead.
“I was trying to stay away because some of those guys can swing it pretty good,” Lara said. “If you get it on their hands, they’ll take it over the fence.”
The Mules never mustered any power off Lara, as all seven hits against him were singles.
“I’m not a guy that’s going to throw 89 (miles per hour) and blow it by you,” Lara said. “I just keep them off balance and hit spots.”
“Mickey was phenomenal,” Marasco said. “He had those guys off balance all night and frustrated. He did a great job of keeping us in when we didn’t score there for quite a few innings.”
Daniel Waggoner made sure the lead would stand, retiring six of seven batters in relief to pick up his second save.
Marasco contributed to both of the Hornets’ other runs.
His sacrifice fly to center scored Brian Majors in the third, then his leadoff double came within inches of clearing the centerfield fence in the ninth.
He later scored on a two-out single by Andy Anderson.
Majors and Keith Hernandez both added a pair of hits for ESU.
The Hornets (25-17, 14-8 MIAA) will complete the four-game series with Central over the weekend. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at 1 p.m., and Sunday’s nine-inning game starts at noon at the Trusler Sports Complex.
Friday at Emporia
ESU 5, Central Missouri 3
Central Missouri 002 010 000 — 3 7 0
Emporia State 301 000 01X — 5 8 0
W — Lara. L — Martin. Sv — Waggoner.
LOB — Mules 7; Hornets 7. 2B — ESU: Hernandez; Marasco. HR — ESU: Marasco. HBP — ESU: Wolfe; Barger. SF — ESU: Marasco. SB — UCM: Feil; Rutledge; ESU: McBratney; Sharp.