Hornets, Griffons split doulbeheader
Stephen Coleman, Special to The Gazette
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday was the kind of day that would have likely inspired even Cub great Ernie Banks to second-guess his famed quote “Let’s play two” at Emporia State’s Glennen Field. The freezing temperature and brutal westerly winds were harsh factors for both teams, as Emporia State split a makeup doubleheader against Missouri Western.
Missouri Western won the first game, 9-2, and Emporia State salvaged a split with a 9-5 win in the finale.
ESU (27-6, 15-3 MIAA) was initially supposed to play four games over the weekend in St. Joseph, Mo. Because of inclement forecasts, the games were moved to Emporia for back-to-back twinbills on Sunday and today. If the weather continues to provide a frigid environment, today may feel even longer.
“It wasn’t fun, I hate to tell you,” ESU coach Bob Fornelli said. “It’s tough to play baseball under those conditions. It’s something we’re going to have to deal with tomorrow and we’re going to have to stick our nose in it and see if we can be successful.”
The first game started off smoothly, with both pitchers shutting out their opponents through two. Then the Hornets’ defense began to cave.
The Griffons loaded the bases on two errors and a fielder’s choice and scored four times to give their starter, Andy Hebrard, a four-run cushion. That was more than enough for him.
Hebrard allowed only eight Hornet hits, and didn’t surrender any runs until ESU scored two in their final time up to ruin his shutout bid.
Ryan Anthony (6-1) became the tough-luck loser for Emporia State, as he struck out seven in less than four innings, but was tagged with his first loss of the year despite not giving up any earned runs.
“It wasn’t as good as it could’ve been,” Fornelli said of Anthony’s effort. “I think the box score shows that he didn’t give up any earned runs, but he made some pitches he hadn’t made in the past. Again it comes back to us. If we’re going to be good we have to pitch and play defense and we definitely didn’t play defense in that first game.”
The second game didn’t start out much brighter as Missouri Western took a two-run lead in the third inning on a two-run homer from their designated hitter Drew Mannen. The Hornets recouped quickly though, as they tied it on Marc Albers’ second home run of the season in the fourth inning. Then in the fifth inning, the Griffons’ defense gave some momentum back to ESU.
With two Hornets on base, outfielder Jeremy Francis hit a single to right to drive in Andy Cotton. The Hornets’ break came when Cody Tipton overran the ball and let it roll into the right field corner. Then the race began.
“I was getting winded,” Francis said. “Running into the wind is kind of hard. I honestly didn’t know what was going on. I saw the ball hop over the glove, so I was thinking triple, then coach kept wanting me to go, so I just went.”
Shortstop Andy Cotton added, “I didn’t think he was going to make it. It was a close play, a good slide, just a good effort by Jeremy.”
That three-run cushion gave Emporia State new life, and though the Griffons responded by closing the gap to one, the Hornets kept their distance by adding three more in the sixth and one in the seventh to close out their victory.
Cole Moore (4-0) started the second game and allowed four runs over 5 1/3 innings of work, while freshman Dominic King finished the game, allowing one run and earning his first career save.
“It wasn’t a good environment to play in but you’ve got to come out and be prepared every day,” Moore said. “I just went out there and knew they had my back. Throw strikes and get ground balls and they did the job. We got the win, so I can’t complain.”
The weekend start was a first for Moore, who has been Emporia State’s midweek starter for most of the season.
“Cole Moore did a great job for us,” Fornelli said. “He’s been one of our steady guys all year since we gave him the opportunities in the midweeks and he keeps thriving in that role and gave us an opportunity to win today.”
The Hornets will wrap up their series with the MIAA opponent Missouri Western Griffons today in another split seven- and nine- inning doubleheader.
Game One
Missouri Western 004 401 0 — 9 9 1
Emporia State 000 000 2 — 2 8 4
WP — Hebrard. LP — Anthony.
E — MW: Tipton; ESU: Burkhead, Dobler, Cotton, Anthony. DP — MW 2. 2B — MW: Mercado, Conners, Jeffers; ESU: Cotton 2. SF — MW: Tipton. SB — MW: Euker, Tipton.
Game Two
Missouri Western 002 002 001 — 5 11 4
Emporia State 000 233 10x — 9 10 0
WP — Moore. LP — Huttenlocker.
E — MW: Tipton, Conners, Bond. 2B — MW: Landi, Waldman, Mercado; ESU: Williamson. HR — MW: Mannen; ESU: Albers. HBP — MW: Mannen, Conners, A. Elmendorf; ESU: Francis. SH — MW: A. Elmendorf. SF — MW: Tipton. SB — ESU: Francis, Burkhead, Cotton. CS — MW: Tipton.