The 3rd ranked Emporia State Hornets defeated the 6th ranked Mesa State Mavericks this evening at the USA Baseball Training Facility by the score of 5-2. With the loss, Mesa State will play a loser-out game Wednesday, May 25th at 5pm against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. Belmont Abbey will be looking for some revenge from their opening round loss to the Mavericks.
The story for the Mavericks was runners left on base. The Mavericks left twelve runners on base and six of those were in scoring position. Mesa State was 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, leaving the bases loaded in the second.
Mesa State had to tip their cap to Hornet reliever Ben Graham. Graham relieved Hornet starter Tyler Applehans in the top of the second inning and proceeded to shut down the Maverick offense. Graham limited the Mesa offense to four hits in his 6.1 innings of relief work.
Graham picked up the win in relief, improving his record to 8-3.
Hornet closer Diego Soto picked up his 12th save of the season, as he pitched the ninth allowing one walk while striking out two.
The lone bright spots for the Mavericks were senior
Craig Lanzarotta and junior
Kevin Becker. Lanzarotta finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored while Becker finished the game 2-for-5 including his 10th triple of the season and two RBI's.
Maverick lefty
Chris Carma took the loss going 3.1 innings allowing five hits. Carma's record drops to 7-4.
Kyle Davis came in and kept the Hornet batters at bay in the middle innings of the game. Davis allowed a single run in his 3.0 innings of relief work.
In earlier action today, the Belmont Abbey Crusaders held off the Grand Valley State Lakers, 5-4. Grand Valley State scored four runs in their half of the ninth inning to stage a mini rally but fell short as the Crusaders got an RBI single in the bottom half of the ninth. Grand Valley State was eliminated with the loss.
Mesa State v. Emporia State Box Score
NCAA World Series Website
