It’s conference season now, and Nick Wolfe believes it’s time for the Emporia State baseball team to establish its identity.
“It should have been done the first eight games,” the Emporia State catcher said, “and we’re still trying to do it.”
The Hornets once again showed unsteady play on Sunday, dropping a 13-6 decision to Missouri Western to finish 2-2 in the weekend series.
The loss was even more disappointing after the positive signs ESU showed Saturday. The Hornets took 11-8 and 9-4 victories against the Griffons that day, coming from behind in the first contest and using a six-run fourth to seal the second.
“Everybody’s just inconsistent,” ESU senior Mark McBratney said. “We’re going to lose games if we don’t fix it.”
In Sunday’s finale, ESU fell behind early and never was able to recover.
With the score tied at 0 in the third, Western’s Sam Walker doubled before Tim Reed hit a grounder toward the hole at second base.
Moving to his left, Conner Crumbliss made it to the spot but didn’t stay down as the ball scooted underneath his glove for an error.
Western took advantage of the extra out, as the Griffons posted four consecutive two-out hits, including Kellen Hobie’s towering two-run homer to left center that helped make it 6-0.
“If we could ever keep those innings to two or three, we’d be a lot better,” Fornelli said. “There’s been too many 4s and 5s and 6s, and we can’t seem to avoid the big inning.”
ESU chipped away, cutting the deficit to 7-5 with a three-run seventh. The Hornets put five consecutive runners on base, highlighted by doubles from McBratney and Matt Marasco.
It wouldn’t be enough. Western scored six runs in the final two innings off ESU relievers to secure the victory.
“We let the game slip away early and think that we have enough to come back at the end. We’re just not that style of team,” Wolfe said. “We can’t put up 10 runs in an inning like teams of the past have.”
Wolfe led the Hornets offensively, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.
“I’m seeing the ball better, but the team still lost,” Wolfe said. “I’d take an 0-fer if we’d get the win.”
Crumbliss, Marasco, McBratney, Andy Anderson, and Billy Sharp also had two hits each.
ESU had 15 hits in all but stranded 11 runners in the nine-inning contest.
The Hornets rallied for their first victory on Saturday, scoring six sixth-inning runs for the come-from-behind win.
ESU had five hits in the inning, with Anderson’s two-run single tying the game at 8 before Keith Hernandez’s hit gave his team its first lead of the day.
Brock Nehls retired Western in order in the bottom of the seventh.
Hernandez provided the key blow in Game Two, clearing the bases with a 3-RBI double in the fourth inning after McBratney was intentionally walked before him.
Daniel Waggoner picked up the win, allowing three runs in 4 1/3 innings.
ESU (12-9, 2-2 MIAA) will continue conference play on Friday, taking on Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Mo.
Fornelli said there was still time for his team to figure out what it was.
“We don’t have an identity. It’s been 21 games, and we still haven’t found it,” Fornelli said. “We need to figure that out.”
Sunday at Emporia
Missouri Western 13, ESU 6
Missouri Western 006 001 024 — 13 17 1
Emporia State 001 100 310 — 6 15 2
W — Jones. L — Mitts. Sv — Roach.
E — MWSU: Carolan; ESU: Crumbliss; Anderson. DP — Hornets 1. LOB — Griffons 10; Hornets 11. 2B — MWSU: Munson; Walker; Carolan; ESU: Anderson; McBratney; Wolfe; Marasco 2. HR — MWSU: Payson; Hobie; Bone. HBP — MWSU: Walker; Carolan; ESU: Crumbliss. SH — MWSU: Landi.
Saturday at Emporia
Game One
ESU 11, Missouri Western 8
Missouri Western 201 302 0 — 8 10 0
Emporia State 200 306 X — 11 11 4
W — Nehls. L — Reilly.
E — ESU: Marasco(2); Carlson(6); Barger 2(6). DP — Griffons 1. LOB — Griffons 8; Hornets 5. 2B — MWSU: Hobie; Munson; Mercado; Carolan; ESU: McBratney(7); Hernandez(10); Wolfe(3). 3B — MWSU: Landi. HR — MWSU: Landi; ESU: Sharp(3). HBP — MWSU: Landi; ESU: McBratney; Carlson; Barger. SH — MWSU: Hobie. SB — Crumbliss(4); Anderson(2); Marasco(4).
Game Two
ESU 9, Missouri Western 4
Missouri Western 000 300 1 — 4 7 0
Emporia State 120 600 X — 9 11 1
W — Waggoner. L — Mannen.
E — ESU: Marasco. DP — Griffons 1; Hornets 1. LOB — Griffons 7; Hornets 4. 2B — MWSU: Bone; Radel; ESU: Hernandez. HBP — MWSU: Hobie. SF — ESU: McBratney.