EMPORIA, Kan. – No. 19 Emporia State scored a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to hold off a Fort Hays State rally and beat the Tigers 5-4 Saturday afternoon at Glennen Field in the Trusler Sports Complex. The Tigers (9-13, 3-8 MIAA) have lost six straight while the Hornets (17-5, 9-2) win their third straight.

Tiger reliever Kyle Vogt gave up a leadoff double followed by a bunt single to open the bottom of the ninth. Wade Hanna drove in the game-winner with a one-out single to left. Hanna also hit a 2-run homer in the first to give the Hornets the early lead.

Vogt takes the loss, allowing one run on three hits in 1 1/3 innings. Starter Logan Herd gave up four runs on four hits over 6 1/3 innings. Herd walked six and struck out two.

The Hornets led 3-0 after two innings, but the  rallied with a run in the third then scored single runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to tie the game 4-4.

FHSU lost despite outhitting ESU 14-8. Alex Weiss had four hits while Caleb Cherryholmes, Ty Redington and Austin Unrein all had two.

Cherryholmes, Weiss and Joe Mapes all had RBI singles for the Tigers who look to salvage the final game of the series Sunday afternoon.