EMPORIA, Kan. – Newman made its way up I-35 for the series opener with the Hornets of Emporia State Friday night.  The Jets and Hornets went back and forth in a topsy-turvy game, but the back end of the Newman bullpen shut the Hornets down to give the Jets the victory.

Final Newman 9 Emporia State 8

Newman advances to 19-15 (9-12 MIAA) with their first win on a Friday this season.  Emporia State drops to 12-23 (6-15 MIAA) after falling in the series opener.

Offense was plentiful in the game between the teams.  Emporia State opened the scoring on the evening with a 2 run double in the bottom of the second.

Anthony Ferrante stepped up to the plate in the top of the fourth and doubled home two runs to tie the game at 2. ESU quickly recaptured the lead with a run in the bottom of the inning.

A massive 5 run 6^th gave the Jets a 4 run lead.  The Jets scored the 5 runs on just three hits.  Ferrante drove in another run the 7^th with an RBI single to stretch the lead to 8-3.

The Hornets struck gold after the 7^th inning stretch.  Two big flies scored 5 runs to even the game at 8.

Fans of Newman Baseball who follow the Jets on the road may have experienced some déjà vu as Hayden VanDePol dropped a perfect bunt on a squeeze play to score the ninth and eventual game winning run.

The dynamic duo of Ian Lecki and Connor Langrell shut down the Hornets who posted 11 hits on the day.  Langrell earned his 8^th save as the Hornets stranded their ninth runner on base.

Crae Pfannenstiel picked up his first win on the campaign.

Up next, Newman and ESU will continue their series Saturday at 2 PM.  For more information, stay tuned to newmanjets.com.