Hornets Rally Early Against Wingnuts

WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-4 to Emporia State University in their preseason opener at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night.

Emporia State grabbed an early 1-0 lead, helped by a leadoff triple from left fielder Jeremy Francis to start the game.  After Wingnuts' starter Brandon Mathes got Dorian Williams to line out to first, Kenny Burkhead drove in Francis with a groundout to second base.

The Wingnuts answered back in the bottom of the inning, plating two runs.  Kennard Bibbs and Steve Pearson drew back-to-back walks against Hornets' starter Justin Maxson to start the frame.  With Bibbs and Pearson in motion, catcher David Albritton's throw to third sailed high into left field, allowing Bibbs to score the tying run and Pearson to advance to third.  Mario Delgado used a groundout to first base to drive in Pearson with the go-ahead run.

ESU rallied for four runs off of Mathes in the top of the second.  With second and third and one out, Kevin Wempe tied the game at 2-2 with a groundout to third base.  Andy Cotton followed with an RBI double down the left field line to move the Hornets back in front.  After a single and stolen base from Jeremy Francis, Dorian Williams singled home two more runs to make it 5-1.

The Wingnuts tacked on a run in the bottom of the second on a double play ball from Jeff Christy that plated Josh Horn.  Travis Whipple re-extended the Emporia lead with a leadoff solo home run to right field in the third.  A bases loaded walk to Chris Colton in the bottom half cut the lead to 6-4.

Dustin Pease helped stabilize the game for the Wingnuts, tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in the fifth and sixth.  The Hornets added a seventh run in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Travis Whipple.

Cephas Howard and Will Morgan pitched scoreless relief innings in the eighth and ninth respectively.  Overall, Wingnuts pitchers did not allow an earned run over their final six innings.

Hornets' closer Drew Smith worked around two walks in the bottom of the ninth to lock down the save.  Brett Mize earned the win with three relief innings, allowing one earned run.

The Wingnuts continue their exhibition schedule on Saturday when they host the Northern League's Kansas City T-Bones at 7:05 p.m.  All seats are just $7.00 general admission and can be purchased at the gate.  The Wingnuts 2010 home opener is Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants at 7:05 p.m.  For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS.

-Wingnuts-