The schedule has been set, and the Emporia State baseball team’s first opponent will be third-seeded Wayne State (Neb.) in the opening round of the North Central Regional.
Gametime is set for 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Crane Stadium in Warrensburg, Mo.
The fourth-seeded Hornets (39-22) have not faced Wayne State this season but did defeat the Wildcats, 8-1, in last year’s Regionals in Emporia.
If ESU wins its opening game, it would play at 7 p.m. Friday. If the Hornets lose, they would play an elimination game at 3:30 Friday.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students/youth. All-session passes are available at $20 for adults and $10 for students/youth.
ESU advanced to Regionals by defeating Central Missouri, 7-6, in the second MIAA Championship Game on Sunday to earn the conference’s automatic berth.
8 Hornets earn
All-MIAA distinction
Emporia State outfielder Mark McBratney was a unanimous choice for first-team all-conference honors, the MIAA announced Monday.
McBratney, who also was a first-team selection last year, batted .349 with nine home runs and 69 RBI.
The Hornets had five other players earn conference awards — two on the second team and five as honorable mentions.
Pitcher Trent Lare and catcher Keith Hernandez earned second-team distinction. Lare was ESU’s ace, going 8-3 with a 3.13 earned-run average, while Hernandez batted .322 with a team-high 11 home runs and 76 RBI.
Conner Crumbliss, Mickey Lara, Tim Barger, Matt Marasco and Billy Sharp all were selected as honorable mentions.