GAME 4: at #1 EMPORIA STATE HORNETS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 • 1:00 PM
TRUSLER SPORTS COMPLEX • EMPORIA, KS
GAME 5-6: vs. ARKANSAS TECH WONDER BOYS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 • 3:00 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 • 11:00 AM
TRUSLER SPORTS COMPLEX • EMPORIA, KS
LIVE STATS: www.emporia.edu/athletics/livestats/baseball/xlive.htm

SBU NOTES | ESU NOTES | ATU SITE

EMPORIA, Kan. -- The SBU baseball Bearcats' early season schedule is always hard to predict, and this year is no exception. After originally planning on heading to Arkansas Tech for a three game set this weekend, the 'Cats are traveling to a familiar foe in Emporia State. SBU will face the Hornets in a non-conference matchup, followed by a doubleheader against the Wonder Boys who will also get two games in against last year's national championship runners-up.
   
SBU dropped three close games to open up the 2010 campaign at Southeastern Oklahoma State last weekend. The Bearcats were led by newcomer Niko Saladis, who hit .364 with a pair of runs, walks, and an RBI during the series. Senior pitcher Greg Seay had a solid outing in the first game against the Storm, striking out six and walking only one over four and 2/3 innings. The SBU bullpen gave up just three earned runs over 7 and 1/3 innings. Catcher Steven Davis, seeing action in two of last weekend's three games, went 3-for-3 with a run, while senior Kyle Wise and junior Paden Grubbs started the season off with a bang, each hitting home runs in the opening series.

THE COACHES AND SERIES HISTORY
Bearcat head coach Sam Berg begins his 11th season in the SBU dugout. Berg just needs two wins for his 150th victory in a SBU uniform. During his time in Bolivar, Berg has seen his program produce 24 All-MIAA awards, and two NCAA All-Region winners.
   
Bob Fornelli is entering his seventh year as Emporia State head coach. Last season, Fornelli led the Hornets to the final game of the NCAA Division II World Series, where they fell to Lynn University.
   
Dave Dawson was head coach at Kansas Wesleyan before taking the helm at Arkansas Tech this year. At KWU, Dawson saw his team take back-to-back conference titles and earn a spot in the NAIA Top 25 Poll for the first time in school history. Since 2000, Emporia holds a 23-5 advantage over SBU, while Arkansas Tech leads the series over the last decade, 15-4.
 
SCOUTING THE HORNETS & WONDER BOYS
Emporia State will open up their 2010 season with a game against Arkansas Tech before they face the Bearcats. The Hornets have been picked to win the MIAA by conference coaches, and are ranked #1 in the preseason national poll.
   
The Wonder Boys are off to a 2-1 start after hosting Southwestern Oklahoma. Starting pitcher Josh Floriani threw a complete game, 3-hitter in the opener of the series, while Chad Wynn (.750) and Nick Makris (.727) are both hitting lights out to start the year.