Emporia State baseball lost a close matchup 5-4 against Washburn in the first game of the Turnpike Tussle series. The Hornets took an early lead with two runs in the second inning, thanks to Cooper Schwindt's single. Washburn responded with three runs in the seventh inning, ultimately sealing the victory over the Hornets. Despite a solid performance, including strong pitching from Colby Deaver, Emporia State was unable to hold their lead and suffered the defeat.

By the Numbers
  • Emporia State recorded 7 hits during the game.
  • Cooper Schwindt had 2 RBIs and was a key player with a multi-hit performance.
  • Colby Deaver pitched 5.1 innings, giving up only 1 earned run and striking out 2 batters.
State of Play
  • The Hornets scored first but struggled to maintain their lead as the game progressed.
  • Washburn capitalized on late-game opportunities, scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the seventh.
What's Next

The second game of the series is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, where Emporia State will seek to even the series against Washburn.

Bottom Line

Emporia State needs to strengthen their closing strategy and capitalize on early leads to avoid similar outcomes in the future, especially in critical series matchups like the Turnpike Tussle.