Lynn (Fla.) University ends Emporia State’s amazing postseason run in the NCAA Division II World Series title game, defeating the Hornets 2-1.
Here’s the release from ESU’s Josh Slaughter:
The #3 Emporia State baseball team fell 2-1 to Lynn in the National Championship game in Cary, North Carolina. ESU was outhit 10-6, but forced Lynn to strand ten runners during the game. ESU stranded seven in the game and got only one extra base hit. The Hornets finish the season 49-14 and won the MIAA regular season championship and South Central Regional Championship.
ESU got on the board first as Conner Crumbliss led off the game with a single and came around to score later in the inning on the RBI by Kellen Lane. Lynn answered with one run in the second and third inning and that was all the scoring the game would see as both pitchers threw up zeroes in the final six innings.
At the plate Kellen Lane finished his career by going two for four with one RBI. Conner Crumbliss went two for four with a run scored and had five put-outs and an assist from the outfield. Caleb Williamson had a hit and junior Jacob White went one for four with a triple. On the mound Ben Graham pitched will allowing nine hits, but striking out a career high 10 batters. He only walked one as he allowed only two earned runs in his 8.0 innings of work.
The Hornets finish the season 49-14 and National Runner’s Up.
Notes:
Jacob White, Kellen Lane and Ben Graham earned all-tournament honors. In there three national championship appearances ESU has twice lost by one run. ESU pitchers finished with a tournament best 1.50 ERA.
Ben Graham had a career high 10 strikeouts in the game.
ESU hit .303 as a team during the Championship, while holding opponents to a .232 average.
Kellen Lane went seven for 11 with a home run hitting .636 to lead the Hornets.
ESU pitchers led the tournament in ERA, saves and opponent batting average.
The Hornets had only two errors in the entire post-season.
ESU Catcher Mike Sharp was the only catcher to throw out more than one runner.
Jacob White led the tournament in total bases with 12 on the week.
Kevin Wempe led the tournament in Sacrifice bunts.
Ben Graham led the tournament by striking out 15 batters.
Diego Soto did no allow a hit in Baseball Championship.
Andy Cotton led all tournament players in assists with 17 for the tourney.
Andy Cotton, Jacob White and Kenny Burkhead combined to turn seven double plays and turned eight as a team.
All-Tournament Team
C Spencer Sobol, Belmont Abbey
1B Daniel Pembroke, Dowling
2B Jacob White, ESU
3B Josh Tanner, UC-San Diego
SS Chad Crowe, Lynn
OF Kellen Lane, ESU
OF Gabe McDougall, Lynn
OF Daniel Flores, Lynn
P Ben Graham, ESU
P Dan Wright, Lynn
P Tommy Kahnle, Lynn
MVP Tommy Kahnle, Lynn