What a difference a week — and a few practices outside — made for the Emporia State baseball team.
After being stranded in the HPER building for the better part of the last month, the weather finally cooperated in the last week to allow the Hornets some time to actually practice on their field.
ESU reaped the benefits Sunday, dominating Augustana in 13-5 and 9-3 victories at the Trusler Sports Complex.
“We got an opportunity to practice for three days last week. One day was snowing, but we got an opportunity to be outside,” ESU coach Bob Fornelli said. “I think it’s just going to take some time. The bad thing is, we’re running out of time.”
With the conference season just two weeks away — and games against Missouri Western starting on March 16 — the Hornets know they need to hit their stride quickly.
Fornelli said he saw some of that development on Sunday, as ESU grabbed first-inning leads against Augustana and never trailed in either contest.
“You can tell the confidence from the kids,” Fornelli said, “from two weeks ago when we hadn’t practiced except for in the gym.”
Not only were the Hornets able to get the bats going, they also were able to have pitchers step up and contribute solid innings.
It started with Trent Lare in the first game, as the left-hander pitched three scoreless frames before allowing a two-run home run in the fourth.
The senior struck out four and walked none in his four innings, picking up his second win of the year after leaving with a 10-2 lead.
Mickey Lara followed his lead in Game 2, going five innings and allowing just two runs to pick up his second win of the year.
The Hornet bats made sure to give both pitchers plenty of support.
In Game 1, Keith Hernandez’s three-run homer gave ESU an early cushion, and the Hornets didn’t let up from there.
Bill Sharp homered in the second, and Conner Crumbliss added a two-RBI single in ESU’s six-run third inning that made it 10-0.
Matt Marasco led the way with three hits and two RBI, while Mark McBratney added a 2-for-2 performance with three runs scored.
Crumbliss went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored from the leadoff spot.
Marasco jump-started the offense in Game 2, providing a two-run double in the first inning to give ESU its lead.
The Hornets scored three in the third and three more in the fifth to build to their advantage.
ESU once again received most of its punch from the top of the order, as the first five hitters combined to go 10-for-16.
Crumbliss contributed a 3-for-3 performance, adding three runs and an RBI.
McBratney went 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI, while Marasco and Nick Carlson also posted a pair of hits.
ESU (7-4) had no errors in either game.
“We feel like we’re better than we have been,” Fornelli said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but as long as we can get out and play and practice, we’ve got a chance to get there.”
The Hornets will face Grand Valley State at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Pittsburg.
ESU 13, AUGUSTANA 5
AU 000 202 1 — 5 7 4
Emporia State 316 012 X — 13 11 0
W — Lare. L — Krogstad.
E — AU: Green 2; Heithoff 2. LOB — Vikings 2; Hornets 8. 2B — ESU: Crumbliss; Marasco. HR — AU: Green; Loberg; ESU: Hernandez; Sharp. HBP — AU: Strum. SF — ESU: McBratney; Hernandez. SB — ESU: Marasco.
ESU 9, AUGUSTANA 3
AU 000 201 0 — 3 8 2
Emporia State 203 031 X — 9 11 0
W — Lara. L — Nestingen.
E — AU: Vig; Nestingen. DP — Vikings 1; Hornets 2. LOB — Vikings 5; Hornets 4. 2B — AU: Loberg; ESU: McBratney; Marasco 2. 3B — ESU: McBratney,M. HR — AU: Vig. HBP — AU: Vig; ESU: Hernandez. SB — ESU: Crumbliss; McBratney; Hernandez; Carlson.