EMPORIA, Kan. – The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team won its four straight series by taking two of three from the Emporia State University Hornets at the Trusler Sports Complex.
 
The Bearcats and Hornets split a doubleheader Saturday. ESU picked up a 5-0 win in the first game of the doubleheader. Northwest answered with a 4-3 triumph in back end of the double dip to take the series, 2-1.
 
Northwest Missouri State has a record of 12-6 and is 4-2 in conference play. Emporia State holds a record of 13-3 and is also 4-2 in the conference.
 
GAME ONE
The Hornets drew first blood on Saturday with a 5-0 shutout of the Bearcats in game one of the twinbill. The Bearcats posted three doubles, but were unable to plate a run.
 
In the second inning, Emporia State took the lead. After N. Cruz was hit by a pitch and B. Unrein walked, D. Brisbois hit a three-run homer to right-center, giving the home team a 3-0 lead through two innings.
 
The fourth inning saw Emporia extend its lead. C. Schwindt homered to center field for an additional run, bringing the score to 4-0 after four innings.
 
Emporia added another run in the seventh inning with Schwindt hitting a solo homer to right field, making it 5-0.
 
The Bearcats managed to get a couple of baserunners in the ninth inning with Wilmer Jimenez reaching on a hit by pitch and Parker Griffith singling through the left side. However, the Bearcats could not capitalize, and the game concluded with Emporia securing a 5-0 victory.
 
Gage Busby pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on three hits, including three home runs, while striking out seven and walking three. Despite conceding runs, he maintained a respectable WHIP of 0.98 over 58 pitches, with 37 being strikes. Jayme Fritts contributed with an inning of relief, striking out two batters and giving up one walk without allowing any hits. Bronco Whitt closed the game effectively, tossing 2/3 of an inning with two strikeouts and no hits or walks.
 
Frank Gall recorded one hit, including a double, in his four at-bats. Jordi Ventura also contributed with a double, finishing with one hit in four attempts. Michael Good added a double to his statistics, achieving one hit across four at-bats.
 
GAME TWO
Northwest scored a one-run win the rubber match of the series with a 4-3 triumph over Emporia State.
 
The Bearcats scored three runs in the second inning and added a crucial run in the ninth to secure the win.
 
Emporia State took an early lead in the first inning with a solo home run by F. Santiago to right center, putting the home team up 1-0. Northwest Missouri State responded in the second inning, capitalizing on an error and a hit by pitch to set the stage for Sam Dinkelman's two-RBI double down the right field line, bringing in Wilmer Jimenez and Leonardo May. Frank Gall further extended the lead with an RBI triple to center, scoring Dinkelman and making it 3-1 in favor of the Bearcats after two innings.
 
Emporia narrowed the gap in the fourth inning when an error allowed N. Steele to advance to third and subsequently score on a sacrifice fly by B. Unrein, closing the score to 3-2.
 
In the ninth inning, Northwest added an insurance run when Jimenez walked and later scored on John Connors' RBI single up the middle. The Hornets managed to score once more in the bottom of the ninth, as N. Cruz, who was hit by a pitch, crossed the plate to bring the score to 4-3.
 
Northwest secured the win with the final score of 4-3 over Emporia.
 
Logan Brasel delivered a strong performance for the Bearcats, pitching 7 innings with 5 strikeouts while allowing just 4 hits and 1 earned run. Brasel's control was evident with only 1 walk issued in 85 pitches. Micah Diamond and Diego De Santiago came in relief, with Santiago securing the save after delivering a clean inning without allowing a hit. Diamond contributed with 1 inning pitched but allowed an earned run during his appearance.
 
Connors posted two hits and drove in a run, contributing to the team's offensive efforts. Gall recorded a triple and a double, adding an RBI and a stolen base to his performance. Jimenez crossed the plate twice, showcasing his ability to get on base and score. Dinkelman hit a double and drove in two RBIs, making a significant impact with his bat. Brasel pitched seven innings, allowing one earned run while striking out five batters, earning a win with a WHIP of 0.71.
 
Up next for the Bearcats is a matchup against William Jewell at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 in Maryville, Mo.