On Wednesday, Ben Graham had already started researching the Central Missouri lineup. Graham said he had visited the Central Missouri Web site, studied stats and starters and taken some notes.
Graham, who will start today’s opener, has never played against Central Missouri before. He’s only weeks into his first season in the MIAA, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t understand the history and significance of the series.
Graham can tell you that last year Central Missouri ended Emporia State’s 35-game winning streak, winning three out of four in the two teams’ final series. Graham can tell you that the Mules knocked the Hornets out of the MIAA tournament and the Regional tournament.
“So it’s time to get some payback this year, and really just shove it down their throats,” Graham said.
Obviously, this weekend’s series with the Mules will not be a lovefest. But more important than the rivalry could be the race to win the MIAA title this year.
Emporia State is off to a 9-1 start and seems headed to defend its regular season conference title. But, really, the conference race does not start until the Hornets play the Mules. Central Missouri is 7-3 and was the preseason pick by the coaches to win the MIAA.
Although the players might be looking for revenge, ESU coach Bob Fornelli is more concerned about his team improving on Wednesday’s performance in a 3-2 win against Central Oklahoma. The Hornets were outhit 8-3 and did not perform up to Fornelli’s standards.
“If we back down and don’t execute and don’t do the little things, then we’ll get beat and we should get beat, because that’s how we’re going to be good by doing the little things, by moving runners up, by throwing strikes, playing great defense,” Fornelli said. “If we do those things, we’ll have a chance to have a great weekend and be able to separate ourselves in the conference, but you’ve got to do the little things.”
Fornelli’s tone might not show it, but his team has done all the little things lately with the exception of Wednesday’s offensive performance. During Emporia State’s eight-game winning streak, the ESU pitchers have not allowed more than five runs once, and the offense is averaging 6.375 runs.
For the hot Hornets to continue their winning streak, they have to play better than they did Wednesday. While the players are thinking revenge, Fornelli is more worried about his team focusing on itself.
“It’s not payback,” Fornelli said. “We’ve got to go play, just stick your nose in it, get after it and play. Don’t read their jerseys, just play the game.”
admireed (anonymous) says...
Ben...shove it down their throats? 4ER in 4 innings. Show some Hornet class please! Play the game and save the yap!
March 20, 2009 at 9:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )