March 9, 2008 -- The Hornets took two games on Sunday knocking off Minnesota-Duluth 17-4 in seven jnnings in their first game before blanking the Tigers of Fort Hays State 5-0. The Hornets had five home runs on the day including one grand slam as the Hornets pitching staff used only four pitchers to finish out the two games.
In game one ESU struck early touching the Bulldogs for eight runs in the second inning. Anthony Dreiling led off the inning with a home run to give ESU a 1-0 lead, he came up a second time in the inning and hit a grand slam to give ESU an 8-0 lead. Dreiling finished the game three for four with five RBI. Eric Shortell also homered for the Hornets and finished with four RBI. Matt Marasco made his return to the Hornet line-up in game one for the Hornets. Brendan Higgins struck out four as he pitched 5.1 innings and ESU run ruled UMD in seven innings.
In game two Tyler Applehans pitched eight innings of scoreless baseball allowing only two hits and striking out eight along the way to a non-conference victory over Fort Hays State. Ty Reese came on to pitch the night completing the first shutout of the year for the Hornet pitching staff. Kevin Wempe went one for three with two runs driven in the in the game. Caleb Williamson scored two runs for the Hornets.
The Hornets will be back in action on Monday when they face Upper Iowa at 3:00 p.m. and then take on Fort Hays State at 5:30 p.m.