Hornets battle back to grab Game 2 of Turnpike Tussle

Hornets battle back to grab Game 2 of Turnpike Tussle

TOPEKA (KSNT) — The Hornets even the Turnpike Tussle series on Saturday.

Emporia State baseball came from behind in Game 2 to win 5-4. Washburn took Game 1 on Friday, April 24, with a 5-4 win after a three-run seventh inning.

The Ichabods put up three runs in the first inning off a pair of RBI hits from Levi Risenhoover and Easton Wasinger.

The Hornets would get on the board in the fifth, after the Ichabods gave up an unearned run off a throwing error.

The seventh is when the Hornets would shock. A four-run outing would lift Emporia State to a 5-3 lead. Noah Steele would hit an RBI double to take the lead.

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“Today they were throwing change-ups, so I was just waiting for his fastball, got on time, and good things happen when you are on time,” Steele said.

Washburn would respond in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an RBI single to left from Trenton Barry to cut the deficit to one.

The Ichabods would be unable to battle back due to Hornets right handed pitcher Grant Huffman on the mound. Through 2.1 innings pitched, he allowed just one hit, zero runs, zero walks, and two strikeouts.

“The mindset is the same as every time,” Huffman said. “These hitters will tell you, hitting is hard, so don’t give them anything for free. Go up there and throw strikes. Don’t really try to trick them and just let it go.”

Game 3 is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 25.

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