EMPORIA, Kan. (Feb. 21) - Phillip Wilson continued his torrid pace at the plate here Friday, going 5-for-6 with three home runs and seven runs batted in as Central Oklahoma outlasted Emporia State, 17-16, to stay undefeated.

Wilson, who also earned the pitching save after recording the final three outs in the ninth inning, is hitting .800 (16-for-20) with 13 RBI in UCO's 5-0 start.

It was the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association opener for both teams, who return for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader before finishing the four-game series Sunday.

"What a great college baseball game," head coach Dax Leone said.  "Obviously the wind blowing out played a major factor, but our players competed so hard.  We're really proud of this group and just want to keep working at getting better every time we take the field."

The Bronchos trailed 9-8 entering the seventh inning, but scored seven runs to open up a 15-8 lead and take control of the game.

The Hornets were able to keep it close by scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh to make it 15-12.  Wilson connected for a two-run homer in the eighth to up UCO's lead to 17-12, which proved to be the game winner for the Bronchos.

ESU added a run in the eighth and scored two in the ninth to pull within a run, but Wilson got the final two hitters to strike out after coming on in relief.

Robbie Hoffman went 4-for-4 with a double and homer in his first start of the season.  Dylan Tinkler had a homer and a double in finishing with four RBIs, his third four-RBI game of the season.

Both offenses were rolling from the first pitch as the fourth inning was the only scoreless frame of the game.  The two teams combined for 38 hits, with the Bronchos pounding out 21. It marked the third time this season that UCO has had at least 18 hits in a game.

Andrew Davis was the fortunate winner, getting out of the fifth and sixth innings before the Bronchos grabbed the lead in the seventh. Davis allowed four runs on four hits for his first victory of the season.