TOPEKA, Kan. — The No. 23 ranked MSU Denver Roadrunners closed out play at the Steven Hanson Classic on Sunday with a hard-fought 10-9 loss in 12 innings to the Emporia State Hornets. The Roadrunners finish the weekend 2-2 and move to 9-2 overall, with both losses in the tournament coming to Emporia State by a single run — including Friday's narrow defeat.
Sunday afternoon's matchup featured momentum swings throughout before Emporia State pushed across the game-winning run in the 12th inning.
The Roadrunners struck first in a big way in the second inning. Gavin Schmeh blasted a three-run homer to give MSU Denver a 3-1 lead, igniting what turned into an offensive battle. Schmeh was dominant at the plate, finishing 5-for-6 with three runs scored and three RBIs.
Brayden Oram matched that energy at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-4 with two walks and a team-high four runs scored. Oram and Schmeh combined to account for seven of MSU Denver's nine runs. Blake Wilson added a multi-hit performance as well, going 2-for-6 with a run scored.
After a tough start from Nolan Livsey, who went 1.2 innings and allowed six runs, the bullpen steadied the game. Drew Peters, Alejandro Maltos Garcia and Gavin Kaiser combined for five scoreless innings, surrendering just two hits while striking out seven to keep the Roadrunners within striking distance.
MSU Denver continued to answer throughout the middle and late innings to force extras, but Emporia State ultimately broke through in the 12th to secure the 10-9 win.
The Roadrunners' consistency at the plate remained evident. Marques Abulhosn has now reached base in all 11 games to start the season, while Brooks Rasmussen extended his on-base streak to 11 games as well. Erubiel Ortiz reached safely three times Sunday, finishing 1-for-4 with two walks.
Although Sunday's result didn't go their way, MSU Denver had successful weekend with both losses to Emporia State decided by just one run — including an extra-inning battle to close the tournament. The Roadrunners will now head on a small break before returning home on Friday, February 27 against UCCS.
