The Emporia State baseball team did all their damage in two innings and it was enough to beat Pittsburg State 9-7 Tuesday afternoon at Al Ortolani Field in Pittsburg, Kan. The Hornets scored quickly with four in the first jump started by a three-run home run by Dom Oliverio. Jovanni Toledo followed that up with a solo shot before Pitt state roared back with the next six runs to lead 6-4 through four. The Hornets capitalized again in the fifth with a five-run inning taking advantage of an RBI single by T. J. Racherbaumer, a hit by pitch, a Gorilla wild pitch and passed ball, and an RBI ground out. The Gorillas managed just one more run the rest of the way. Coby Rogers (1-0) entered in the fifth and tossed 2.0 innings allowing one hit and one run to earn the win. Four Hornets had two-hit games led by Dom Oliverio going 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs. The Hornets move to 18-25 on the year and return to action for their second to last weekend of the season at Fort Hays State on Friday. The Hornets are currently last in the standings at 12th but are one of six teams, including the Tigers, that enter the weekend within two games of seventh place with six games to play in the season.
Two Big Innings Enough for ESU Baseball
Dom Oliverio heads back to the dugout. Courtesy ESU Athletics.
