Lane sends Hornets into National Championship game
By C.J. Moore
Originally published 06:44 p.m., May 28, 2009
Updated 07:44 p.m., May 28, 2009
CARY, N.C. — Kellen Lane picked the best time of his life to hit his first career home run.
Lane hit a walkoff two-run homer to give Emporia State a 5-3 victory over UC San Diego, sending the Hornets into the National Championship game.
With two outs in the ninth, Lane sent an 0-1 curveball off the scoreboard in right field.
The Hornets are headed to the National Championship game for the first time since 1987 and will be going for their first championship since 1978 — both in the NAIA.
UC San Diego tied the game in the eighth when Diego Soto and Mike Sharp had a miscommunication with Sharp calling a curveball and Soto threw a high fastball. The ball got passed Sharp and Robert Sedin scored to tie the game at 3-all.
The Hornets went down in order in the eighth with the final out coming on a Conner Crumbliss strikeout. Crumbliss tried to call time out with two strikes, and the home plate umpire would not give him time.
After arguing the call, Emporia State came out charged up and Soto got a fly ball, walked Garrett Imeson and then got Brandon Gregorich to ground into a double play.
Kevin Wempe walked to start the ninth inning and then Caleb Williamson hit a line drive single to move Wempe to third with one out. Williamson took a big turn at first base and was thrown out by UCSD third baseman Josh Tanner.
The Tritons pulled Shibuya, who had thrown 4 2/3 scoreless innings, and put in Guido Knudson to face Lane.
Knudson got Lane behind 0-1, and with Lane looking fastball, Knudson threw an inside curveball. Lane, a senior, pulled it to left field and watched it carry over the fence to win the game.
Emporia State led most of the game, tying it in the third inning on a Kirby St. John balk. Crumbliss led off the inning with a single, advanced to third on the Tritons’ first error of the World Series on a Kevin Wempe grounder to second.
St. John tried to pick off Wempe at first, but he started to home plate first and was called for a balk.
Andy Cotton gave the Hornets a 2-1 lead in the fourth on a RBI single that scored Sharp.
Sharp added to the lead in the fifth on a single up the middle that scored Kenny Burkhead.
Matt Cantele pulled UCSD within one run with a single in the fifth ending, chasing Colby Killian from the game.
Killian got his first no-decision of the postseason in his fourth start. He gave up two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 inning.
Dominic King pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving way to Ryan Anthony in the eighth. Anthony came in for a lefty-lefty matchup and walked Cantele to put runners at first and second.
Soto struck out Kellen Lee, but he and Sharp allowed both base runners to steal uncontested, which enabled the Tritons to tie the game on a passed ball.
Lane led the Hornets three hits and two RBIs. Crumbliss, Williamson, Sharp and Cotton all had two hits apiece. King (6-2) picked up the win.
For complete coverage of Thursday’s game, check Friday’s Gazette.
gg (anonymous) says...
Yesssssssss, the ESU, City of Empoira and State of Kansas we are so proud this team! Go get that NC Hornets and bring it home.
May 28, 2009 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bluestreak (anonymous) says...
WAY TO GO, HORNETS. Bring home the gold.
May 28, 2009 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Fantastic job Hornets! Good luck and play hard in the Championship!
May 29, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Free4all (anonymous) says...
When is the game? PLEASE add this to the article, this is important to those who would like to listen to it.
GO ESU!!
May 29, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Stebbins (anonymous) says...
The game is 11:00 central time. www.kvoe.com/listen.htm will have it, or 104.9 FM.
May 29, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Game also on ch 152 Dish Network TV
May 29, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Free4all (anonymous) says...
Great, thanks alot. I read the article 10 times to make sure I didnt miss it in there somewhere.
May 29, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )