No. 33 Angelo State used a 10-run third inning to put away No. 8 Emporia State in a 14-4 victory in San Angelo, Texas.
The game was ESU’s season opener.
“Angelo State did a good job offensively,” ESU coach Bob Fornelli said, “and we couldn’t catch a break to get that third out.”
ESU starter Brock Nehls retired the first two batters in the third before allowing four doubles, two singles, a walk and a hit-batsmen before being replaced by Brett Brandon.
The left-handed reliever also ran into trouble, giving up a triple, double and two walks before getting Nate Hemm to fly out.
Angelo State (1-3) put 12 consecutive hitters on base in the frame.
“We just had a bad third inning,” Fornelli said. “Every pitch we threw, they found a hole. All of a sudden, you look at the scoreboard, and it’s 10-0.”
The Rams extended their lead to 14-0 with a four-run fifth before the Hornets responded with three in the sixth and one in the eighth.
Because of the poor weather in Kansas, Friday’s game was the first time ESU had seen live pitching this year.
“After about our third our fourth at-bat, you could tell that we started doing a lot better things at the plate,” Fornelli said. “I’m not happy with the loss, but I feel like we got better today in the long run.”
Mark McBratney led the Hornet offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Keith Hernandez and Matt Marasco added two hits each.
The two teams will complete their three-game series with games today and Sunday.
ANGELO STATE 14, EMPORIA STATE 4
Emporia State 000 003 010 — 4 7 3
Angelo State 00(10) 040 00X — 14 13 1
W — Calfee. L — Nehls.
E — Hernandez (ESU); Crumbliss (ESU); Carlson (ESU); Allred (ASU). DP — Angelo State 1. LOB — Emporia St. 3; Angelo State 9. 2B — Hernandez (ESU); Marasco (ESU); Allred (ASU); Calfee 2 (ASU); Nightingale (ASU); Belew (ASU); Strickland (ASU). 3B — Sullivan (ASU). HR — McBratney (ESU,1); Allred (ASU,1). HBP — Calfee (ASU); Hemm (ASU); Cox (ASU); Sullivan (ASU). SB — Allred (ASU).