The Emporia AAAs picked a good day to have their bats re-emerge, exploding for 16 runs in a 16-8 victory Thursday over El Dorado on the opening night of the Zone Tournament in El Dorado.
“It was a good night — we showed what we’re capable of,” Emporia AAA’s coach Ryan Oden said. “If this is the time we’re going to show it, then it’s a heck of a time to do it.”
Emporia scored in all but two innings and every batter in the lineup had at least one hit.
The AAAs were led offensively by Joe Solis, who went 6-for-6 with five RBI.
Taylor Clark also added his first home run.
“It was just one of those games,” Oden said. “We’ve been talking all year about getting the key hits at the key times. It happened last night.”
Alex Reyes picked up the win, going all nine innings on the mound.
Emporia will face Manhattan at 5 tonight, with the winner advancing to Saturday’s championship.
If Emporia would lose, it would play an elimination game against either El Dorado or Junction City at 8 tonight.