ESU Baseball holds on to 4-3 victory
Ken Easthouse
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Emporia State overcame a sluggish offensive output and held off a late charge to defeat Central Oklahoma 4-3 in the last game of non conference play Tuesday at Glennen Field.
The Hornets led 4-0 going into the sixth when the Bronchos began their charge, which included a two-run home run by Brett Draper.
Junior reliever Brock Nehls came in and stopped the UCO run, striking out the next two batters.
“I just come in and throw strikes,” Nehls said. “I just try to do my job.”
ESU coach Bob Fornelli said he was happy to see Nehls returning to his usual form.
“Brock’s had some tough luck to start the year, but we still feel he’s one of our best arms,” Fornelli said. “We’re going to give him some opportunities in some different ways.”
Nehls finished the game with four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Senior Brett Brandon, who recorded the win, ended with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.
“Our pitching was outstanding today,” Fornelli said.
While Fornelli was happy with the pitching, he was less pleased with the offensive output of his team.
“We like to score more than four and we had some opportunities,” Fornelli said.
ESU stranded 11 men on base, and Fornelli said his team needed to change that.
“We need to find a way to get a big hit or get to first base when the bases are loaded,” Fornelli said.
Fornelli also said he was happy with the overall defensive effort of the team. The Bronchos had just three hits after the home run.
“That’s the first time we’ve put our chest out and said, ‘No, not here,’” Fornelli said. “We’ve been waiting for that and I think we did that today.”
Conner Crumbliss led the offensive outing for the Hornets, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
The team begins the MIAA season Friday against Missouri Western.
“If we come out and play our game then no one can beat us,” Nehls said.
Tuesday at Emporia
ESU 4, Central Oklahoma 3
C. Oklahoma 000 003 000 — 3 10 0
Emporia State 000 400 00X — 4 14 1
W — Brandon. L — Flemming. S – Nehls.
E — ESU: Brandon. DP — Bronchos 2. LOB — Bronchos 5, Hornets 11. 2B — UCO: Colombus; ESU: McBratney, Hernandez, Marasco. HR — UCO: Draper. HBP — ESU: Carlson 2, Barger, Marasco. SF — UCO: Pollock.