Box Score | Season Stats
EMPORIA, Kan. -- The No. 26-ranked Central Missouri Mules couldn't hold a late 3-1 lead and fell 4-3 in walkoff fashion to Emporia State on Tuesday night at Glennen Field at the Trusler Sports Complex. Emporia State scored twice in the eighth inning to tie the game and then scored the winning run with one out in the ninth. The game was a non-conference game that does not count against either team's MIAA record.
Emporia State (19-11) jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Toby Cornejo's first inning RBI single. The Mules (22-10) responded with a three-run fourth inning to take the lead.
Dylan Hanson had an RBI single to the game and UCM went in front on
Dusty Maas' two-run single.
The lead stood until the eighth innig when Dean Long lifted a two-run home run to left center to tie the game.
The Mules went down in order in the top of the ninth setting up Emporia State's heroics in the bottom of the inning. The leadoff batter reached on an error and back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Following a strikeout, Levi Parker hit a high chopper in front of the plate that allowed Justin Harris to score from third, giving the Hornets the win.
The loss snaps Central Missouri's eight-game winning streak overall and a nine-game winning streak against ESU.
Zach Davis (2-1) took the loss for the Mules after allowing a run on no hits in the ninth. Starter
Reece Ponak went 3.2 innings giving up one run on two hits.
AJ Walkenhorst tossed 4.1 innings of relief, allowing two runs on thre hits while striking out seven.
Matt Hinkley (1-0) earned the win for Emporia State after allowing three hits in three innings of relief.
The Mules return home this weekend to host Lindenwood in a four-game MIAA series. The series gets underway with a single game on Friday at 3 p.m.
