The Hornets won their first conference series of the year over the weekend beating Rogers State two games to one at the Trusler Sports Complex.
The Hornets fell 4-2 on Saturday to the Hillcats as Rogers State evened up the series at a game apiece scoring two unearned runs in the fifth. Dominic Felix cranked a late home run to go 3-for-4 in the game but the Hornets never led. ESU wasted a strong start by Seth Stover (1-3) who pitched seven innings scattering seven hits and allowing three runs but just one was earned.
ESU came back on Sunday looking for their first series win in MIAA play. E-State picked up two late homers to beat the Hillcats 9-8. The Hornets took the lead on a Peyton Lewis grand slam in the fourth. A Brady Unrein single added to the lead, but Rogers State outscored the Hornets 5-2 in the eighth and ninth innings. The Hornets committed two errors that led to two unearned runs in the ninth, but Jovanni Toledo hit a pinch-hit home run to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. The Hillcats retook the lead on a solo shot in the top of the 10th before Unrein crushed a 2-run shot to centerfield to win the game for ESU. Head coach Brad Hill gave his team credit for hanging in the game.
Unrein said he got the pitch he was looking for.
ESU goes to (10-10, 3-6 MIAA) and wins their first MIAA series of the year. The Hornets have a quick turnaround returning to action Tuesday for game one of their first of two midweek series hosting Missouri Western. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
Edit: RSU took lead in 10th on a solo shot, not a two-run homer.
