Baseball | 5/13/2017 12:19:04 AM

Joplin, Mo. – Emporia State pitchers combined to allow just one hit as they eliminated Central Missouri with a  4-1 victory in the MIAA Baseball Champions.
 
The Hornets got on the board in the top of the second inning as Wade Hanna tripled to deep left center field and Mason Brown and Kaden Shaffer scored. The Mules would cut the lead in half in the bottom of the sixth inning as Blake Wilfong scored on a wild pitch.
 
The Hornets got an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning as BJ Dean had a bunt single to third base bring home Mack Gowing. Gowing would then single to drive home Brown in the top of the ninth to tack another run on for ESU.
 
For the Hornets Ryan McBroom and Mack Gowing each went two for four on the evening. On the mound Tanner Cairns went 5.1 innings allowing just one hit and striking out two to pick up the win and Nathan Whitcomb earned the save in 1.2 innings of relief.
 
Emporia State will now face Missouri Southern in an elimination game at 4 p.m. on May 13 from Warren Turner Field in Joplin, Mo.