Baseball: Hawks capture opener at Emporia State

Rockhurst exploded for 15 hits and Mark Sappington threw six scoreless innings to carry the Hawks to a 13-3 victory over seventh-ranked Emporia State in their season opener Wednesday in Emporia, Kan.

Right fielder Patrick Chandler led the offensive attack with four hits, including a leadoff home run in the first inning. Chandler also made the defensive play of the game in the sixth inning when he made a diving catch near the foul line and threw out the runner at first base for a double play.

Sappington held the Hornets to five hits while striking out seven hitters without issuing any walks. The junior right-hander threw 72 pitches in his first outing of the season in front of 13 major-league scouts. Josh Tols pitched the final three innings to pick up the save.

The Hawks secured the win by scoring six runs in the eighth inning to take a 12-3 lead. Third baseman Scott Bradbury drove in two runs with a single. T.J. Dailey, Ryan Porter and Tyler Gans added RBI singles. Dailey, Porter and Bradbury each finished with two hits.

A two-run single by center fielder Jordan Stull gave the Hawks a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Designated hitter Josh Samuelson drove in two runs with a double in the seventh to widen Rockhurst's lead to 6-0. Stull and Bradbury led the team with three RBIs.

Rockhurst, 1-0, will host Emporia State, 1-3, in the Hawks' home opener on Sunday at 2 p.m.