Hornets Offense Helps Baseball Sweep Weekend at Northwest

The Emporia State baseball team used double-digit offense on Saturday and Sunday to come from a game down to win their MIAA series opener at Northwest Missouri.  The Hornets plated seven in the seventh to win game two of the series Saturday 13-5.  The Bearcats committed five errors to aid the Hornets as ESU scored 10 runs in the final four innings.  Andrew Rantz finished 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs after hitting his first home run of the season.  Konner Hatfield had a pinch-hit home run in the game as Trent Warstler (1-0) picked up his first win of the season allowing just one earned run in 4.1 innings of relief.  In the rubber match, ESU won a shootout 14-10.  The game featured 29 total hits and seven total errors.  The Bearcats took an early 3-2 lead after two, but the Hornets outscored Northwest 10-1 over the next three innings.  Three Hornets had three hits in the games with Patryk Hernandez leading the way with a 3-for-4 Sunday with three runs and five RBIs while hitting his second home run of the season.  Kadyn Williams finished 3-for-4 and homered for the first time this season.  Tanner Dawe (3-0) picked up the win in relief for ESU.  Emporia State moves to 9-6 and 2-1 in the MIAA after the series.  ESU returns home Friday to face Washburn at the Trusler Sports Complex in the Turnpike Tussle.  First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. on Friday.