Sunflower Slate

FINAL UPDATE: ESU SENIOR KELLEN LANE HITS TWO-RUN HR IN BOTTOM OF THE NINTH TO SEND HORNETS INTO NATIONAL TITLE GAME….THUS ENDING SUNFLOWER SLATE’S FIRST-EVEN RUNNING GAME BLOG. READ FRIDAY’S EAGLE FOR ALL THE JUICY DETAILS.

Thought I’d update as the game goes along — check out my feature on Kapaun Mount Carmel product and ESU freshman pitcher Dominic King
here. And here’s the link to the ESU blog from Cary.

ESU ace Colby Killian gets the nod today for the Hornets. Opportunity knocks. The Hornets win this one and they’re in the NCAA DII CWS championship game for the first time, ever. A la, the deepest postseason run in school history.

1st inning

0-0

Summary: SD goes three up and three down; ESU gets double from Crumbliss who makes base-running mistake and is caught at third on fielder’s choice. ESU gets another single then they’re done.

2nd inning

1-0 San Diego

Summary: San Diego gets a couple of hits off Killian and some bad defense lets a run in; Emporia State gets a couple of more hits but can’t convert — with Dreiling thrown out at home on a lf-2b-c relay.

3rd inning

1-1

Summary: Killian gives up a hit but comes out otherwise unscathed; Crumbliss opens with a single, his second hit, advances to third then scores on a balk for ESU. Tie game and we go to the fourth. Real question: Will the NCAA’s site hold up?

Fourth inning

ESU 2, San Diego 1

Summary: San Diego grounds into double play to end top half; Cotton’s single scores Sharp for ESU and Hornets take lead.

Fifth inning

ESU 3, San Diego 1

Summary: Killian is still battling — he walks one and hits one but doesn’t give up any hits to put SD down — has only given up three hits through five. This is CK’s MO — not a lot of Ks but get the job done; SD pulls starting pitcher after walking one and giving up a hit to open inning, Sharp singles home Burkhead for 3-1 ESU lead.

Sixth inning

ESU 3, San Diego 2

Summary: They might be getting to Killian — he walks one to start the inning then gives up a single that scores a run — now it is 3-2 ESU — Fornelli pulls Killian for Dominic King. Will Sunflower Slate/Wichita Eagle karma extend to N.C.? He gets first batter to pop up to end inning; ESU gets one hits, Crumbliss intentionally walked and no runs for ESU.

Seventh inning

ESU 3, San Diego 2

Summary: King gives up a couple of hits in a row but survives — they’ll see if King can get through the 8th and then bring in Soto; ESU strands two and no runs.

Eighth inning

ESU 3, San Diego 3

Summary: ESU pulls King for Anthony after King gives up a single — Anthony lasts two batters before Fornelli goes with reliever Diego Soto, presumably to finish the game. Soto inherits runners on first and second with one out — two straight passed balls scores a run and ties the score at 3-3. Now the inning’s over. Never said it would be easy; ESU gets nada into the bottom and onto the ninth.

Ninth inning

ESU 5, SAN DIEGO 3 GAME OVER

Summary: San Diego gets no runs then grounds into double play to end inning; Wempe walked, advanced to third on Williamson singled, Lane up with Wempe on third, two outs. LANE TWO RUN HOME RUN TO WIN GAME ESU INTO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME