The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Emporia State, 5-4, on Friday afternoon at the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan.

The Bearcats are now 18-18 overall and 13-12 in MIAA play. The Hornets improve to 24-9 and 15-9 in conference action.

Paul Johnson led Northwest offensively as he went 2-for-4 with four RBI, including a three-run homer in the third.

Nick Gotta was 1-for-4 with a double. He scored Northwest’s first run of the game in the opening inning.

Garrett Fort and Derek Meyer both picked up hits and were both driven home on Johnson’s home run in the third.

Anthony Caenepeel was saddled with his first loss of the season, going 4.2 innings in his ninth start of the season. Caenepeel allowed five runs on six hits. He had six strikeouts and allowed four walks.

Austin Battaglia and Patrick Brady combined to pitch 3.1 scoreless innings in relief to finish out the game. Brady had five strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Battaglia struck out two in his one inning of work.

The four game series continues Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Both games will be seven-inning contests.

— Northwest Sports Information —