The Emporia State baseball team pulled off two walk off wins on Opening Day at the Trusler Sports Complex on Friday in Emporia.
In game one, the Hornets walked off the Orediggers 3-2. Mines jumped on top 1-0 after the first, but ESU answered with a run in the bottom of the second on a fielder’s choice. The pitchers then settled in with three-straight shutout innings apiece. Mines retook the lead with a run in the top of the sixth, but ESU answered on a walk-off double by Mason Sturdy that drove in two in the bottom of the seventh. Sturdy accounted for all three of the RBIs in the game for the Hornets. ESU starter Cade Barton received a no decision after last six innings and allowing just one earned run and three hits with four strikeouts. Tanner Dawe (1-0) threw the seventh for ESU to pick up the win.
In game two, the Hornets got another game-winning hit to pick up a 5-4 win over Mines. Each team plated a run in the first as Joe Daneff drove in a run before Drew Jennings reached on a 2-out error in the second to make it 2-1 Hornets. Mines took the lead 3-2 in the 4th and extended the lead to 4-2 in the sixth before Sturdy added another RBI on a ground out. A Daneff fielder’s choice tied the game at four through seven before Konner Hatfield ended the game on a line drive to center in the 11th inning. Hayden Baumwart (1-0) tossed the 10th and 11th innings for ESU and allowed just one hit for ESU to pick up the win. Head coach Brad Hill says the close games should get Hornet fans excited for the season.
Konner Hatfield said he saw the ball well for his game-winning hit.
Hatield and Williams each went 2-for-5 to lead the offense in game two. The Hornets move to 4-1 on the season and will play two more against Colorado-Mines Saturday. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 1:00 p.m.
