If this keeps up, Emporia State’s Matt Marasco might change his tune more often.
After going to the plate with a different walk-up song in the fourth, the junior blasted a grand slam to left-center, providing a key blow in ESU’s 14-2 run-rule victory over Pittsburg State Thursday.
The rock melody that was played by error was actually the introduction song of ESU shortstop Andy Anderson.
“He hasn’t taken credit for the assist there,” Marasco said with a smile, “but he might later.”
Marasco’s ball sure didn’t need any help getting out, as his no-doubt homer easily cleared the center-field fence to finish off ESU’s eight-run fourth.
The junior is now 4-for-6 this season with the bases loaded.
“I was just trying to be focused there the best I could,” Marasco said. “I didn’t really hear much of what was playing.”
Though the Hornets broke it open in the fourth, they were saved by some nifty defense early.
ESU third baseman Tim Barger kept things scoreless in the second, diving to his right to snag a potential double off the bat of T.J. Franklin and throwing it across for the out.
“I’m not going to make that play every time,” Barger said, “but I’ll take it when I can get it.”
The senior provided another defensive gem in the fourth, charging and barehanding a ball that ricocheted off the leg of ESU starter Trent Lare and heaving an off-balance throw to get Kevin Deao by a half-step.
“Timmy’s the ultimate professional of college baseball,” ESU coach Bob Fornelli said. “There’s nobody that works harder than him. Everything that happens to him happens for a reason.”
ESU’s outburst in the fourth was helped in large part by Pittsburg State.
The Hornets took advantage of two walks, an error and a hit-by-pitch to score their eight runs with the help of only five hits.
The Gorillas provided 15 free baserunners in the contest, walking 12 and hitting three batters.
ESU won despite losing a first-inning opportunity on a baserunning mistake.
With runners on first and second and one out, Keith Hernandez popped the ball up on the infield.
Mark McBratney — thinking there were two outs — raced all the way to second before realizing there was only one away.
He was easily doubled off by third baseman Luke Naccarato to end the threat.
“That’s a concern. We’ve got to make sure from the first inning on, we’re prepared and understand how important these games are,” Fornelli said.
“This should be a playoff atmosphere for us.”
McBratney more than made up for it later, going 2-for-2 with two runs and three RBI.
Barger also provided a spark, scoring three runs after being hit by a pair of pitches. He has now been hit by 20 pitches this season.
“You have to try to do what you can to get on base. I’ll take those every time,” Barger said. “It’s not like I’m going up there saying I want to get hit, but I feel fortunate when I get hit sometimes because that’s a free pass to first base.”
Lare picked up the win for ESU, allowing one run in five innings of work.
The Hornets (31-21, 20-12 MIAA) will finish the regular season with a crucial four-game series against last-place Truman this weekend. ESU can continue its season and guarantee a spot in the MIAA Tournament if it wins all four games.
“We can’t look by Truman,” Fornelli said. “I know their record isn’t great, but I know they’re going to come in here and play hard.”
Thursday at Emporia
ESU 14, PSU 2
Pittsburg State 000 010 1 — 2 5 3
Emporia State 001 832 X — 14 8 0
W — Lare. L — Bates.
E — PSU: Hothan 2; Campbell. DP — PSU 1. LOB — PSU 6; Hornets 9. HR — PSU: Franklin; ESU: Marasco. HBP — ESU: Wolfe; Barger 2. SH — ESU: Anderson. SF — ESU: Sharp. SB — PSU: Deao,J; ESU: Majors; Barger.