Colby Killian continued his postseason dominance and Jacob White provided some unexpected power in Emporia State’s 3-0 victory on Saturday against Grand Valley State in the World Series opener in Cary, N.C.
Killian pitched seven shutout innings, giving up just three hits hit in seven scoreless innings, and White hit a solo home ruin in the fifth to give Killian all the run support he needed.
In three postseason starts, Killian has pitched 16 scoreless innings out of his 17 innings pitched.
“The first game is really the hardest and best one to win, because it puts you in a good spot,” Killian said. “Last weekend was big, and I said I was nervous last weekend, but I didn’t feel nervous at all today. I got comfortable on the mound early, they gave me a few runs and great defense, and that’s all we needed.”
White hit a 1-1 fastball over the left field wall to put the Hornets on the board first. The homer was the first of the season for White — and first in a game in his life.
“In the dugout, they were teasing me a little bit,” White said. “Colby Killian said I’m hitting four-hole tomorrow. We’re having a blast and just trying to enjoy every second of it, because this is the time of our life.”
White weighs just 145 pounds and is known for his speed and ability to bunt — and not so much his power.
“As soon as it went in the air, everybody was like, ‘No way,’” Killian said. “He came in, he was all pumped up and he had a great game.”
In Killian’s two starts during the Regional tournament, the Hornets provided him with much more run support than he ever needed. They scored 23 runs in the Regional opener against San Angelo State and 15 runs in the Regional championship against Central Missouri.
Killian was dominant in both starts, but it didn’t much matter. On Saturday, it mattered.
Grand Valley State starter Andre Benjamin (9-2) went six innings, making one mistake — a belt-high fastball to White.
Killian (8-0), meanwhile, kept his pitches low and Grand Valley State put the ball on the ground. Killian said he threw only seven or eight curveballs and used his two-seam fastball to force a majority of groundball outs.
“The bats didn’t really show up — they showed up, but not like last weekend — but our defense made up for it,” Killian said.
The Hornets added a second run in the seventh inning on an Andy Cotton sacrifice fly. Mike Sharp singled up the middle to open the inning, moved to second on a Anthony Dreiling walk and advanced to third on a sac bunt by White.
Dominic King, who pitched 8 1/3 scoreless innings in the Regional, pitched around a double in the eighth to keep GVSU off the board.
Kellen Lane led off the ninth with a single and later scored on a Dreiling RBI single. Diego Soto completed the shutout and picked up the save.
White went 3-for-3 to lead the ESU offense. Sharp went 2-for-4 with a walk and was the only other Hornet with multiple hits.
Emporia State plays Mesa State at 4 p.m. on Monday. Mesa State beat Belmott Abbey 7-2 on Saturday.
The Hornets’ victory was their first ever in the Division II World Series after going 0-2 in their only other appearance in 2006.
“This gives us the belief that we belong here,” ESU coach Bob Fornelli said. “We always have felt that way, but it reassures the kids that they know they can play here.”
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Excellent job Hornets, keep the momentum going!
May 23, 2009 at 7:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gg (anonymous) says...
Awesome, way to go guys, Emporia and the University is proud of you all! Keep it up!
May 23, 2009 at 8:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beth (anonymous) says...
Great win Hornets!! Keep it up!
May 24, 2009 at 2:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )