The Emporia State baseball team left 11 men on base in a 6-4 loss to the Rogers State Hillcats at the Trusler Sports Complex on Saturday. ESU jumped out to a 3-0 lead after 1 but a three-run RSU fifth gave RSU the lead after they plated a run in the fourth. The Hornets took the lead in the bottom of the fifth before two runs by RSU gave the ‘Cats the lead back. ESU loaded the bases in the eighth but couldn’t score as Rogers State held on the for the win. The Hillcat bullpen allowed just two hits and one unearned run over the last six innings of the game as the Hornets struck out 12 times overall. ESU committed two errors in the game that led to two unearned runs in the seventh as the Hillcats tied the series at a game apiece.. Head coach Brad Hill said the team hurt themselves with their offensive approach.
Mason Sturdy finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a double and was the only Hornet with multiple hits. Hayden Baumwart (2-1) pitched 2.1 innings of relief but picked up the hard-luck loss by allowing the unearned runs in the seventh. ESU falls to 13-13 and 4-8 in the MIAA. The teams will meet to decide the series at noon on Sunday.
