Box Score

EMPORIA, Kan. (Feb. 23) – Emporia State scored three unearned runs and short-handed Central Oklahoma's ninth inning rally fell short as the Hornets held on for a 5-3 victory here Sunday to salvage a split of the four-game weekend series.

The Bronchos played without several starters who were suspended for the series finale by head coach Dax Leone for violation of team rules.

"I was really proud of the guys who played today," Leone said.  "it was an awfully tough situation for them, with numerous guys playing out of position.  Hopefully our team will learn from this and we can move forward."

After giving up an unearned run in the first inning, the Bronchos tied it with a run in the second on an RBI single by Jared Sterling. 

UCO moved in front in the fifth on an RBI single by Cesar Wong and held that 2-1 lead until the seventh.

ESU got a a pair of run-scoring singles to take the lead and then scored two more on a throwing error to go on top 5-2.

The Bronchos mounted a rally in the top of the ninth as Wong added a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3, but Dennis Morelli struck out with the tying run on base.

UCO fell to 6-2 and 2-2 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, while ESU improved to 5-3 and 2-2 in league play.

The Bronchos return home to host Washburn for a four-game series Friday, Saturday and Sunday.