University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

ESU Rallies Past Bronchos

4/2/2016 5:58:00 PM

Isaac Hellbusch

EMPORIA, Kan. (April 2) – Central Oklahoma built an early 6-0 lead, but No. 10-ranked Emporia State rallied and went on to a 10-8 victory over the Bronchos here Saturday afternoon.

It was the second straight win of the series for the Hornets, who took Friday's opener 8-1. The teams complete the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association series Sunday at 12 p.m.

UCO fell to 19-11 on the season and 11-8 in the league, while Emporia improved to 23-7 and 15-4.

"We got off to a good start and just didn't finish," head coach John Martin said. "It's a tough loss, but we have to put it behind us and try to get a win tomorrow."

The Bronchos had 13 hits in the contest, led by T.J. Sparr's 3-for-5 performance at the plate. Jake Dyer, Landon Eason added Isaac Hellbusch two hits apiece.

UCO broke on top in its first at bat of the game on Casey Bowlan's two-run single and went ahead 6-0 with four more runs in the second. Jacob Borrego had a two-run single up the middle and Sparr added an RBI base hit in that frame.

ESU scored three runs in the second and third innings to pull even at 6-all and it stayed that way until the top of the seventh when Hellbusch ripped a two-run double to right-center field to give the Bronchos an 8-6 advantage.

The lead didn't last long, as the Hornets tied it with two runs in the bottom of that frame before adding two more in the eighth to go up 10-8 en route to claiming the win.

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