Arkansas Tech put a scare into the No. 1-ranked team in NCAA Division II baseball on Friday afternoon, but Emporia State was able to wiggle off the hook with three runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Wonder Boys 8-6 in Emporia, Kan.
Tech led 6-5 going to the last of the ninth, but a David Albritton RBI single tied the score and a two-out, two-run home run by Tyler Knight gave the top-ranked Hornets (1-0) a walk-off win in their season opener.
The Wonder Boys (2-2) had taken their 6-5 lead on a two-run home run by Clint Stroud (photographed) in the top of the seventh.
Josh Riley had two hits, while Nick Makris drove in two runs and scored two runs for the Wonder Boys in the loss.
Emporia State left-hander Jake Martin (1-0) pitched a perfect top of the ninth inning to earn the victory.
Arkansas Tech reliever Addison Rayford (0-1) was tagged with the loss. Tech starting pitcher Josh Floriani received no decision after allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out 10 in eight innings of work.
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