Northwest Missouri State got two solid pitching performances, but were unable to complete a pair of comebacks as No. 16 Emporia State swept a MIAA double header, 8-3 and 9-6 at Glennen Field Friday afternoon.

With the sweep the Bearcats fall to 4-10 on the year and evened their record to 3-3 in MIAA play. The 16th-ranked Hornets improved to 8-3 on the season and 4-2 in league play as the two squads will close out the series Saturday with a twin bill starting at 1 p.m.

In the opener, ESU jumped out early on the Bearcats pushing a run across in the first and two more in the bottom of the third. The real blow came in the fourth inning when Aston McCoy belted a grand slam for his first home run of the season giving the Hornets a 5-0 lead.

However, Northwest would rally in the top of the seventh scoring three runs before ESU halted the Bearcats getting a pair of ground outs taking the 8-3 win.

Entering the series on an offensive tear the Bearcats were limited to only four hits by Hornets starter, Brandon Faulkner. Faulkner went six innings only walking one while striking out four.

Northwest starter Chris Green was handed his first loss of the season to fall to 2-1 as he walked three and struck out two in five innings of work. Jacob Raffaele pitched a scoreless sixth in relief of Green.

In the night cap the tables were turned for six innings as Northwest built a 6-1 lead aided by an Eric Swain’s third home run of the year. However, after a great effort from Jace Anderson, who went 6.1 innings and scattered nine hits, ESU started and completed a seven run rally ending with a walk-off home run.

Carson Smith entered with one out in the seventh and a 4-6 lead. ESU rallied scoring five runs off the reliever who also allowed five hits.

Tyler Durant had the only multiple hit game of the day for the Bearcats going 2-for-3 with a run scored.

— NWMSU Sports Information —