EMPORIA, Kan. — Missouri Southern baseball (25-13, 20-8 MIAA) fell to Emporia State University (28-11, 15-10 MIAA) with a final score of 13-7 on Sunday at Trusler Sports Complex.
MSSU moves to 25-13 this season and 20-8 in MIAA conference play.
Despite scoring five runs in the first three innings, Missouri Southern couldn't withstand the Hornets' eight-run fifth inning.
Emporia State seized control in the fifth inning with a pivotal eight-run surge. The sequence began with a solo homer by Cooper Schwindt, followed by a series of singles and a crucial two-run double by Brady Unrein. A two-run homer from Schwindt later in the inning extended ESU's lead, creating a significant momentum shift that the Lions could not overcome.
Missouri Southern initially set the pace, establishing an early 4-0 lead by the third inning.
Aiden Hinkle scored on an error, and
Blake Jones added a sacrifice fly in the first. In the third,
Jason Lazo and
Jake Leeker delivered RBI hits. However, despite a productive fifth inning that included Hinkle's two-run single, Southern left key opportunities on base, stranding runners in scoring positions in the sixth and ninth innings.
The Lions' offense demonstrated potential with timely hits and capitalized on a few defensive mistakes early on. However, ESU's decisive inning nullified Missouri Southern's efforts, as the visitors struggled to regain momentum in the latter stages.
Missouri Southern opened the scoring in the first inning when Hinkle reached on an error and
Brayden Luikart doubled, setting the stage for
Jacob Filip's RBI single. Jones added a sacrifice fly, for a 2-0 MSSU lead.
In the third inning, Jones hit a ground-rule double followed by Lazo's double, which scored Jones. Leeker's RBI single extended Missouri Southern's lead to 4-0.
The fifth inning saw the Lions increase their lead to 7-0.
Cy Darnell scored on a wild pitch, and Hinkle's two-RBI single brought home Leeker and
Andrew Young. Emporia State responded with eight runs, highlighted by Schwindt's two home runs, shifting the lead to 8-7 in Emporia State's favor.
In the sixth, Emporia State extended its lead with a three-run homer by Noah Steele, making it 11-7.
The Hornets added two more runs in the seventh inning through a two-run homer by Logan Myers, resulting in a 13-7 advantage.
Aiden Hinkle drove in two runs and scored once, contributing significantly to the team's offense.
Will Doherty collected three hits, including a double, showcasing his ability to reach base consistently.
Blake Jones added a run and an RBI, while also drawing a walk and hitting a double.
Jason Lazo recorded a run, a hit, and an RBI, further aiding the team's scoring efforts.
Walker Sweet started the game for Missouri Southern, delivering four innings while allowing three earned runs on four hits, with two walks and a strikeout.
Marcus Young relieved Sweet, conceding six earned runs over an inning, which included four hits and a home run.
Carter Stover yielded two earned runs and a home run.
Jackson Gamble pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on two hits, with a walk and a strikeout.
Kyle Kaempf provided a brief respite, finishing the game with 1 1/3 innings and striking out a batter without allowing any runs.
MSSU next returns to Joplin to host Newman Tuesday, April 14. First pitch is 3 p.m., CT from Warren Turner Field. Newman will serve as home team for the third game of season series after the game two location was moved from Wichita, Kansas, to Joplin, Missouri.
Following the midweek against Newman, the Lions host Missouri Western in a three-game series at Warren Turner Field April 17-19. Due to recent changes in field construction timelines, Joe Becker Stadium will not be available for the series opener with MWSU on Friday, April 17 and the game has shifted to Warren Turner Field.
The Lions will honor the careers of
Jason Lazo,
Ethan Clark,
Kyle Kaempf,
Jacob Filip and
Brayden Luikart ahead of Saturday, April 18's game as part of Senior Day 2026.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
