April 26, 2008-The second inning was bad for second ranked Emporia State as Central Missouri scored six runs in the second inning of both ends of a double header sweep on Saturday in Warrensburg. The Mules won game one 8-7 and took the night cap 10-4. The Hornets had early leads in both games.

Nick Carlson gave ESU the lead in the second inning of the matinee with a two RBI double and Conner Crumbliss made it 3-1 with an RBI single. The Mules would retake the lead with six runs on six hits in the bottom of the second. Iain Dykins had the big blow with a three run homer with two outs. ESU starter Brock Nehls would be chased three batters later after the Mules loaded the bases with a single, double and walk. Ty Reese came on in relief and struck out Luis Perez to end the inning.

Will Feil gave UCM an 8-3 lead with a one out homer in the third. Reese would not allow another run the rest of the way to keep the Hornets in the game. ESU would score four runs in the sixth on three hits to pull within 8-7. Crumbliss doubled in Kevin Wempe and was followed with a two RBI double by Brian Majors. Eric Shortell was walked and went to second on a double steal with Majors. Keith Hernandez drove in the final run with a gournd out to third.

Aaron Burris pitched the sixth for ESU and got out of a bases loaded jam to sent the game to the seventh with the Hornets down by just a run. With one out Wempe walked and went to third on Carlson's second double of the game. With two outs, Crumbliss hit a liner that Brian McBryde lept to catch for the final out and preserve the 8-7 win for the Mules.

The Hornets took a 2-0 lead with three hits in the top of the first. Majors singled and Shortell was hit by a pitch with one out. Majors would score on a throwing error by catcher Luis Perez and Shortell came home on Anthony Dreiling's single. The lead would grow to 4-0 when Shortell singled in Nick Wolfe and Anderson with two outs in the second.

For the second straight game, the Mules would then score six runs on six hits in the bottom of the second. Dykins two RBI single gave the Mules the lead 6-4 before ESU starter Ryan Anthony struck out Mike Hallam and Balin Bergman to end the inning. Anthony gave way to Burris after a one out walk in the third and Clay Weatherford greeted him with an RBI triple. Feil drove in Weatherford with a single to give UCM an 8-4 lead. The Mules added single runs in the fourth and sixth inning for the final score. For the second time in three games, the Hornets stranded at least ten runners, this time leaving 11 on base with six of them in scoring position.

ESU, who still has a three game lead over UCM in the loss column, will try to salvage the final game of the series on Sunday. First pitch from Crane Stadium/Thompkins Field in Warrensburg is set for 12 noon.

NOTES:
Eric Shortell reached base in his final five plate appearances with a single, a walk and three hit by pitch.

Shortell became the eighth Hornet to record 80 RBI in a season with his two RBI single in the second inning of the night cap.