Bolivar, Mo. – Game two of the three game series also went to Emporia State, 5-2. The loss brings the Bearcats to 9-16 (4-10 MIAA) midway through the season.
 
Dalton Morrow was on the bump for the Bearcats, getting a groundout and two fly outs in the first inning. SBU got their offense going early on. Tyler Mathys was the first Bearcat to reach base, making it to first on a throwing error by the third baseman. Next up was Hunter Hisky, blasting a home run to left field, putting the Bearcats up 2-0 in the first inning. Morrow had another 1-2-3 inning in the second, retiring the first batter on strikes.
 
The Hornets did a majority of their damage in the 4^th inning, scoring three runs on a home run and an RBI single, giving ESU a 3-2 lead. Brett Mitchell led off the 5^th inning with a single into center field. Later in the inning, Mitchell advanced to second on a wild pitch, but he was stranded there as the inning came to an end. The 6^th inning was a wild one defensively for the Bearcats. Leading the inning off was a fly ball that fell due to strong wind. The next play was almost identical, but the runner on first had a very small lead due to the location of the pop up, allowing Hunter Hisky to get the runner out at second by force. A single by the next batter put runners on first and third. The runner on first moved up to second on a wild pitch, and the runner tried to score following the throw down to second, but he was hosed at the plate by third baseman Luke Winfrey. Morrow got out of the inning unharmed, getting the next batter to fly out.
 
ESU's fourth and fifth runs came in the 7^th and 8^th innings respectively. Hayden Crabtree pinch hit in the 8^th inning, driving a hard hit ball in to right field, but it was caught by the right fielder. The Bearcats had an outstanding defensive play in the 9^th inning, catching a foul ball down the right field line for the third out. Caleb Sneed drove a single up the middle to lead off the 9^th inning. A batter later, Hunter Hisky smacked a screamer of a line drive, but it was right at the center fielder, keeping Sneed at first base. Jackson Soule was the next batter, drawing a walk and moving Sneed into scoring position. Noah Tucker then singled to left field, loading the bases. Brett Mitchell followed, having a similar outcome to Hisky, hitting a hard line drive right at a Hornet defender. The game came to an end, 5-2 the final score.
 
Caleb Sneed, Hunter Hisky, Noah Tucker, and Brett Mitchell made up SBU's hits; Hisky was responsible for the two RBIs.
 
The final game of the series is scheduled for Sunday at 1 PM, but the timing might change due to possible weather. Stay tuned to sbubearcats.com for more information.