Game one | Game two | Season stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- Friday was another high-scoring day at Dodson Field, between the SBU Bearcats and #18 Emporia State Hornets. A day after falling in a 12-11 extra-inning heartbreaker, the Bearcats' furious rally came up short in the opener Friday, as SBU lost 14-13. The Bearcats trailed 9-0 before their bats came alive in the middle innings. The Hornets controlled the nightcap, winning 12-2 in seven innings.

In the opener, Emporia State (16-6, 12-4 MIAA) got five runs in the first inning and added a pair of runs in each of the second and fourth innings. The SBU bats ignited in the fourth, when Taylor Trotter singled to bring home Kyle Wise and Nigel Morton. In the fifth inning, SBU scored five times, the first coming on an RBI single from Niko Saladis that brought home Ryan Huslig. A single from Morton scored Victor Ramirez. A double by Paden Grubbs plated two (Morton and Saladis). Later Grubbs would score on a single up the middle by Kyle Wise.

Emporia tacked on a run in the sixth before SBU (3-20, 2-14 MIAA) continued their rally. A bases-loaded infield hit by Morton scored Brendon Cox. Following a pitching change, Justin Barnhart doubled to right field, clearing the bases. Grubbs continued his hot streak with a two-run homer. SBU had a chance to tie in the bottom of the seventh, but stranded two runners on first and second.

Several players had solid days at the plate, with Saladis and Morton leading the way with three hits each. Grubbs drove in four while Barnhart knocked in three. ESU's Travis Whipple and Marc Albers each had three hits, while Albers and Calder Cody knocked in four each.

In the second game, ESU jumped out to a big lead with five in the first and solo runs in the second and third innings. The Hornets added four more in the sixth and coasted to the win behind pitcher Jake Hosey, who struck out six in seven innings. Grubbs singled in the sixth to score Saladis and Morton, giving him six RBI on the day. Grubbs and Steven Davis had two hits each in game two. ESU's David Albritton had three hits and four RBI.

SBU continues their homestand next weekend, when they host Fort Hays State for a four-game series beginning next Friday (March 26) at 1 p.m.