Emporia State Hornets
Mid-America Intercollegiate
Athletics Association |
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It's every athlete's and ball club's dream.
For a quarterback it's consecutive completions or attempts
without an interception. For a basketball player it's consecutive
free throws or baskets. For a baseball player it's a hitting
streak. We have all had them at one point, whether its in
competitive organized sports or recreational city leagues.
That's right, it's the much envied streak and we love them.
One of the more impressive streaks is happening, as we speak,
deep in the corn fields of Kansas. No, I'm not talking about
the Jayhawks' impressive national championship run, I'm talking
college baseball in the small town of Emporia.
 The
Emporia State Hornets (38-3) are just coming off a double-header
sweep of Pittsburg State to win their 31st straight game.
That's right, 31 straight wins! This amazing win streak has
the Hornets sitting at #3 in the Ping!Baseball Top 30 with
only eight regular season games left. ESU last felt the sting
of defeat on March 8th against Minnesota-Duluth, but like
a champion, bounced back to beat Duluth twice, scoring 17
runs in each. The big test will come this weekend, however,
as the Hornets travel to Warrensburg, Missouri to battle #11
Central Missouri (27-8) in a four game set.
All good teams start with good coaching and
5th year head coach Bob Fornelli is just that. Fornelli has
compiled a 510-195 record in 11 years of coaching and 204-82
record while at ESU. The Hornet skipper is coming off a 41-24
record in 2007 and has built himself a powerhouse offense
for 2008. His offense has punished opposing pitchers, batting
.375 with 59 homers and burning them for an enormously high
ERA of 11.51.
 Emporia
State boasts four starters that are batting over .400. Seniors
Keith Hernandez (.485 10 HR 49 RBI), Brian Majors (.433 6
HR 53 RBI), Junior Conner Crumbliss (.481 8 HR 25 RBI), and
Freshman (.420 4 HR 31 RBI) have led the way offensively.
Senior outfielder Eric Shortell has provided the power, batting
.379 with 11 homeruns and 64 runs batted in. What's more is
the Hornets know what to do on the base paths once they get
there. ESU has swiped an AMAZING 102 bases in only 118 attempts!
On the mound, upperclassmen have led the
way. Starters for the Hornets include seniors Richard Timbrook
(5-0 3.70 ERA) and Brock Nehls (8-1 4.31 ERA). Most impressive.
Though, has been junior lefty Tyler Applehans with a perfect
8-0 record and a very respectable 2.60 ERA. And no good team
is complete without a feared reliever. The Hornets have just
that in senior Aaron Burris. The 6 foot righty hasn't had
many opportunities to pile up the saves (4), but he has made
15 appearances with a 1-0 record and an outstanding 1.61 ERA.
Opposing teams will be ready for the Hornets
come tournament time, but that might not matter. ESU is hot
and they are clicking on all cylinders. If they get past a
tough Central Missouri team this week, look for the Hornets
to be a serious contender in the DII CWS.
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