ESU goes on road to play at home
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Emporia State plays a home game — technically — on Wednesday in the most unlikely of places: At Washburn.
The Hornets and Ichabods both welcome Wayne State to Topeka, and for travel purposes, the Hornets will play the second game of a doubleheader against Wayne State. Playing a home game on their rival’s field is the least of the Hornets’ concerns this week.
First on the list is getting the team healthy. Junior pitcher Ben Graham, the team’s ace, has a muscle strain in the back of his right throwing shoulder and had to leave the game early last Friday in a loss at Central Missouri. Graham is questionable for this weekend’s series against Washburn and Coach Bob Fornelli said Tuesday he was planning on sitting Graham. Cole Moore, who will start Wednesday’s game, would fill in and start Sunday as well.
The Hornets could also be without sophomore shortstop Andy Cotton, who sprained his ankle on Saturday at Central Missouri.
“We’ve got to get healthy,” Fornelli said.
Next on the list of priorities for the Hornets would be continuing their current hot streak. They’ve won 11 of 12 and moved up to No. 3 nationally in the ABCA poll released on Monday. Emporia State taking three of four from Central Missouri and the team’s 12-2 start in the MIAA has helped its lofty poll position, but so too has the Hornets’ performance in midweek games. They are 5-1 in midweek games.
Nonconference midweek games against quality opponents give Emporia State a chance at building its postseason resume.
Wayne State (12-5) is ranked No. 29 in the ABCA poll and is also the top team out of the NSIC conference. The Wildcats are not in ESU’s region for the first time in the past four years, but Wednesday’s game does count on Emporia State’s regional record.
“It’s a big game, but it’s not even close to being as important as the weekend and the conference is right now,” Fornelli said. “I believe we proved ourselves in the midweeks and the other nonconference games that we’ve played, but any game we play we want to win.”
Moore (2-0) has started the last two midweek games and given up just two runs in 13 innings. Moore will face his toughest challenge yet against Wayne State. The Wildcats are the best team the Hornets have faced in midweek games. But the biggest challenge on Wednesday will be avoiding a letdown game after the series win at Central Missouri.
“It can happen anytime, but at the same time, they know if we don’t do all the little things, we probably don’t have a chance to win,” Fornelli said. “We’re not overly talented enough to walk on the field and expect to win. I really believe this ball club is built on doing the little things, and that’s what we have to continue to do if we want to be successful day in and day out.”