June 10, 2009 - The MIAA Player of the Year and former Hornet Conner Crumbliss was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 28th round with the 843rd pick overall in the Major League Baseball first year draft. Crumbliss was drafted as a second baseman after starting his career at Emporia State at second base and finishing in center field. He is the third Hornet drafted since 2006 joining Gabe Medina and John Martin.
Crumbliss hit a team high .397 on the year and scored 92 runs including the Hornets only run in the National Championship game against Lynn. He had 98 hits with 30 doubles, five triples, five home runs and 54 runs batted in. He led the nation in runs this season, was second in doubles, and was ranked third in hits and runs per game. He was eighth in the nation in doubles per game and was 16th nationally in stolen bases. He was named first team All-MIAA and was voted the league's Most Valuable Player. He led the MIAA in runs scored and was second in the league in doubles and hits. He also set an MIAA and ESU single season record in doubles.
The Hornets finished their season in the National Championship game falling 2-1 to Lynn University. They went 49-14 for their fifth straight 40 win season and were ranked #2 in the final ABCA National Poll.
###HORNETS###
• #3 ESU vs. #5 Lynn National Championship
May 30 at 11 a.m. Cary, N.C.
NCAA Div. II Baseball Championship