Emporia State bats come to life to help Hornets dig out of early deficit against Nebraska-Omaha
By Jesse Newell
Saturday, March 1, 2008
So what was it that had Emporia State coach Bob Fornelli so pleased after his team’s 12-7 victory over Nebraska-Omaha on Friday?
Consider this: ESU trailed 5-0 in the second inning and was facing a pitcher in UNO’s Chris Kessinger that had pitched five perfect innings in his previous outing against Central Missouri.
No worries. The Hornets simply hit their way out of trouble, scoring three runs in the second and six more in the third to take control.
“We just came out and battled,” Fornelli said. “No matter who was hurt, other people were stepping up and doing the right things. That’s a plus for us. We’ve just got to keep some of them healthy.”
Playing without starters Conner Crumbliss and Matt Marasco, ESU’s offense was still plenty productive.
So much so, in fact, that Kessinger made it through just 2 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and nine runs before being pulled.
“What a great effort by our guys,” Fornelli said. “The kid (UNO) threw has a great arm.”
ESU held onto its lead by getting a strong effort from its bullpen.
Daniel Waggoner went five innings in relief of starter Ryan Anthony, allowing just two runs and four hits while striking out five.
Kellen Mitts pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve ESU’s 12-7 advantage.
“We’ve got to have guys continue to go out there and pitch to give us a chance,” Fornelli said.
The Hornets’ were led by Eric Shortell, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored.
Richie Stewart also gave his team a boost, blasting a two-run homer to right in the second inning.
Nick Wolfe added three hits for ESU.
UNO (1-2), which advanced to last year’s Division II World Series, was led by Chris Weimer. He accomplished the rare feat of hitting for the cycle, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.
ESU (3-2) will face UNO again today at noon before taking on Upper Iowa at noon on Sunday.
“That’s probably the best-coached team we’ll play all year,” Fornelli said. “(UNO) Coach (Bob) Herold does a great job, and we’ll have to come out and play hard (today) if we want a chance to win.”
Emporia State 12, Nebraska-Omaha 7
Friday at Trusler
Nebraska-Omaha 050 100 100 — 7 10 3
No. 18 ESU 036 101 10X — 12 13 1
E — UNO: Weimer, Jacobi, Kessinger; ESU: Anthony. DP — UNO 3. LOB — UNO 7, ESU 5. 2B — UNO: Weimer, Goliber, Jacobi; ESU: Hernandez. 3B — UNO: Weimer. HR — UNO: Weimer; ESU: Stewart. HBP — ESU: Carlson. SH — UNO: Eikmeier; ESU: Carlson. SF — UNO: Porter. SB — ESU: Majors, Shortell, Williamson. CS — ESU: Majors, Hernandez.