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Emporia State Hornets baseball
Founded1949 (1949)
Overall record2075–1209–3 (.632)
UniversityEmporia State University
Athletic directorDavid Spafford
Head coachBrad Hill (1st season)
ConferenceThe MIAA
LocationEmporia, Kansas
Home stadiumGlennen Field at Trusler Sports Complex
(Capacity: 500)
NicknameHornets
ColorsBlack and gold[1]
   
NCAA Tournament champions
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
1978
College World Series runner-up
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
1987
National Collegiate Athletic Association
2009
College World Series appearances
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
1969, 1970, 1976, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1987
National Collegiate Athletic Association
2006, 2009
NCAA Tournament appearances
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
National Collegiate Athletic Association
1993, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Conference tournament champions
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
1993, 2007, 2014
Regular season conference champions
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2017

The Emporia State Hornets baseball team represented Emporia State University in NCAA Division II college baseball. The team participated in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.[2] The teams played its home games on Glennen Field at Trusler Sports Complex, located just north of the Emporia State campus, and are coached by Brad Hill.[3]

History

[edit]
Emporia State Coaching History
Tenure Coach Won Lost Tie Pct.
1949–1950 Bob Ives 19 9 0 .679
1951 John Buckley 11 5 0 .545
1952 Joe Pease 8 5 0 .615
No team from 1953 to 1955
1956 Chuck Sisson 4 4 0 .500
1957 Noel McGregor 4 5 0 .444
1958–1962 Bill Kerr 58 55 0 .513
1963 Richard Niclai 13 10 0 .579
1964–1965 Larry Ensminger 37 27 0 .556
1966 Guy Owen 15 12 0 .556
1967–1969 Larry Cochell 72 44 0 .621
1970–1973 Jack Smitheran 123 61 0 .668
1974–1987 Dave Bingham 557 270 2 .685
1988–2003 Brian Embery 458 320 1 .589
2004–2018 Bob Fornelli 599 266 0 .692
2019–present Seth Wheeler 97 116 0 .455
2024–future Brad Hill 0 0 0 –
Total: 74 years 16 Coaches 2,075–1,209–3 .632
Sources: [4][5][6]

The second most successful era for ESU baseball was from 1974 to 1987, when the program was coached by former player Dave Bingham, who posted an overall record of 557–270–2 (.685), and won eight conference championships. From 1988 through the 2015 season, ESU's winning percentage increased to .640 (943–530–1), and both Brian Embery and Bob Fornelli have a winning record with each having more than 450 wins. During the 2009 season, the Hornets were the national runners-up, competing in the NCAA Division II College World Series for the second time since joining the NCAA in 1991.[7]

Early history (1949–1957)

[edit]

The Kansas State Teachers College (KSTC), now Emporia State University, fielded its first baseball team in 1949, which was led by Bob Ives. Ives served two seasons as head coach, compiling a record of 19–9. For the next two seasons, KSTC had two coaches with a record of 19–10, and from 1953 to 1955, KSTC discontinued the program.

In 1956, KSTC had restarted the program with Chuck Sisson serving one season as head coach. After Sisson's season of going 4–4, Joe Pease, KSTC professor and later the athletic director for KSTC, became head coach for one season.

Early years (1949–1957) — Year-by-year record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Bob Ives (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1949–1950)
1949 Bob Ives 7–5
1950 Bob Ives 12–4
John Bulkley (CIAC) (1951)
1951 John Bulkley 11–5
Joe Pease (CIAC) (1952)
1952 Joe Pease 8–5
No team (discontinued) (1953–1955)
Chuck Sisson (CIAC) (1956)
1956 Chuck Sisson 4–4
Noel McGregor (CIAC) (1957)
1957 Noel McGregor 4–5
Total: 46–30

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Five coaches in 10 years

[edit]

From 1958 to 1968, Emporia State had five coaches, two of which were interim coaches. Bill Kerr served as the head coach from 1958 to 1962, and finished with a record of 58–55.[8] After the 1962 season, Kerr left Emporia and took a head coaching job in Kentucky.[9] In February 1963, Richard Niclai succeeded Kerr as head coach.[10] For the one season that Niclai was head coach, his record was 11–8, and following his departure was Larry Ensminger, who led the team for two winning seasons. After the 1965 season, Ensminger left to become the head coach at the University of Texas–Pan American.[11] In 1966, the last year in the Hornets played in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Guy Owen served as the interim head coach, finishing the season with a 15–12 record. In 1967, Larry Cochell, an assistant coach at Utah State, took the reign as head coach as the Hornets began competing in their new conference, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.[12] Cochell's first year was a losing season going 16–17, but quickly turn things around in 1968 and 1969, eventually leading the team to their first NAIA World Series appearance in 1969. Cochell left to become the head coach at Creighton in Nebraska after the 1969 season with a combined record of 72–44.[12]

Five Coaches in 10 Years (1958–1969) — Year-by-year record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Bill Kerr (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1958–1962)
1958 Bill Kerr 5–7
1959 Bill Kerr 11–11
1960 Bill Kerr 12–15
1961 Bill Kerr 13–10
1962 Bill Kerr 17–12
Bill Kerr: 58–55
Richard Niclai (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1963)
1963 Richard Niclai 11–8
Richard Niclai: 11–8
Larry Ensminger (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1964–1965)
1964 Larry Ensminger 15–9
1965 Larry Ensminger 11–10
Larry Ensminger: 26–19
Guy Owen (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1966)
1966 Guy Owen 15–12
Guy Owen: 15–12
Larry Cochell (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) (1967–1969)
1967 Larry Cochell 16–17
1968 Larry Cochell 25–14
1969 Larry Cochell 29–13 NAIA World Series appearance
Larry Cochell: 72–44
Total: 182–138

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Jack Smitheran (1970–1973)

[edit]

In 1970, Jack Smitheran, an assistant coach at Arizona State, was selected to replace Cochell.[13] In his first season as head coach, he led the Hornets to their second straight NAIA World Series appearance. In 1972, Smitheran was nominated for NAIA Coach of the Year. After the 1973 season, Smitheran moved to Riverside, California to become the head coach at the University of California, Riverside.[14]

Jack Smitheran (1970–1973) — Year-by-year record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Jack Smitheran (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) (1970–1973)
1970 Jack Smitheran 32–16 14–5 NAIA World Series appearance
1971 Jack Smitheran 33–19 10–1
1972 Jack Smitheran 30–16
1973 Jack Smitheran 28–10
Total: 123–61

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Dave Bingham era (1974–1987)

[edit]

Under Bingham's leadership, the Hornets won 11 district titles, five regional crowns and eight conference championships. He led ESU to five NAIA World Series appearances and won the national championship in 1978. Bingham was selected NAIA District X Coach of the Year 10 times, NAIA Area III Coach of the Year six times, and was recognized as the national coach of the year in 1976, 1984 and 1987.[15] Until April 25, 2018, Bingham was the all-time winningest coach at Emporia State with 557 wins.[16] Bob Fornelli, current head coach, passed Bingham on April 25, 2018.[17]

Dave Bingham (1974–1987) — Year-by-year record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Dave Bingham (Great Plains Athletic Conference) (1974–1976)
1974 Dave Bingham 23–19
1975 Dave Bingham 33–16 NAIA Tournament
1976 Dave Bingham 32–18 NAIA Tournament
Central States Intercollegiate Conference
1977 Dave Bingham 45–11 NAIA Tournament
1978 Dave Bingham 40–20–2 NAIA National Champions
1979 Dave Bingham 33–17 NAIA Tournament
1980 Dave Bingham 46–18 NAIA Tournament
1981 Dave Bingham 29–28 NAIA Tournament
1982 Dave Bingham 42–26 NAIA Tournament
1983 Dave Bingham 35–19 NAIA Tournament
1984 Dave Bingham 50–19 NAIA World Series Appearance
1985 Dave Bingham 40–29 NAIA Tournament
1986 Dave Bingham 54–17 NAIA World Series appearance
1987 Dave Bingham 55–13 NAIA Runners-up
Total: 557–270–2

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Brian Embery era (1988–2003)

[edit]

Brian Embery, an assistant under Bingham at Emporia State, was selected as the next head coach at Emporia State in 1988 after Bingham left for the University of Kansas.[18] In his first year as head coach, and the team's last season in the Central States Intercollegiate Conference, the Hornets advanced to the NAIA Tournament. In 1993 the Hornets captured the school's first-ever MIAA Championship and participated in the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time, allowing Embery to be the MIAA Coach of the Year.[19] As a member of the NAIA, Embery led the Hornets to four consecutive NAIA District 10 titles from 1988–91. Embery was named District 10 Coach of the Year four times, and 15 players under his leadership earned All-American status. Embery was also a four time MIAA Coach of the Year award recipient.[20]

Brian Embery (1988–2003) — Year-by-year record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Brian Embery (Central States Intercollegiate Conference) (1988–2003)
1988 Brian Embery 49–19 NAIA Tournament
1989 Brian Embery 45–24
Independent
1990 Brian Embery 46–23
1991 Brian Embery 41–17
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
1992 Brian Embery 37–13
1993 Brian Embery 14–15
1994 Brian Embery 22–21
1995 Brian Embery 19–17
1996 Brian Embery 31–15
1997 Brian Embery 22–15
1998 Brian Embery 21–19
1999 Brian Embery 18–28 10–12
2000 Brian Embery 15–13–1 11–19
2001 Brian Embery 25–21 16–14
2002 Brian Embery 27–23 16–15
2003 Brian Embery 25–21 20–11
Total: 458–320–1

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Bob Fornelli era (2004–2018)

[edit]

After Embery resigned at the end of the 2003 season, Bob Fornelli, former Emporia State player under Embery, was named the head coach.[21] Since 2004, Fornelli has taken the Hornets to the NCAA Tournament 12 times, has made 2 World Series appearances and a national runner-up finish in 2009.[22] The Hornets finished the 2006 season by winning the MIAA Regular Season Championship and NCAA Central Region Championship, as well as advancing to the school's first NCAA World Series appearance.[23]

In 2009, the Hornets advanced to the school's first NCAA national championship game in Cary, North Carolina.[24] In 2014 the Hornets won the MIAA Tournament, and earned another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

On April 25, 2018, Fornelli became the winningest head baseball coach in Emporia State history with 558 wins.[25] A week later on May 6, 2018, Fornelli captured his 900th win overall.[26]

On June 4, 2018, local radio station KVOE (AM) reported that Fornelli had accepted the head coaching job at in-state MIAA rival, Pittsburg State University, after 15 seasons at his alma mater.[27] He was formally introduced the next day, June 5.[28]

Bob Fornelli (2004–2018) — Year-by-year record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Bob Fornelli (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) (2004–2018)
2004 Bob Fornelli 36–22 18–11 NCAA Tournament
2005 Bob Fornelli 41–20 19–11 NCAA Tournament
2006 Bob Fornelli 48–13 25–4 NCAA World Series appearance
2007 Bob Fornelli 41–24 24–12 NCAA Tournament
2008 Bob Fornelli 50–10 32–4 NCAA Tournament
2009 Bob Fornelli 49–14 29–7 NCAA Runners-up
2010 Bob Fornelli 42–16 31–9 NCAA Tournament
2011 Bob Fornelli 43–12 37–7 NCAA Tournament
2012 Bob Fornelli 26–22 20–18
2013 Bob Fornelli 27–22 24–18
2014 Bob Fornelli 42–19 26–14 NCAA Tournament
2015 Bob Fornelli 39–16 23–12 NCAA Tournament
2016 Bob Fornelli 39–19 27–12 NCAA Tournament
2017 Bob Fornelli 42–13 29–6 NCAA Tournament
2018 Bob Fornelli 34–24 20–16 NCAA Tournament
Bob Fornelli: 599–266 (.692) 384–161 (.705)
Total: 599–266 (.692)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Seth Wheeler (2019–2023)

[edit]

On June 15, 2018, Hornet pitcher coach Seth Wheeler was promoted to head coach.[29] Wheeler had been an assistant coach for the Hornets since 2016. Wheeler was fired at the conclusion of the 2023 season.[30]

Seth Wheeler (2019–2023) — Year-by-year record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Emporia State Hornets (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) (2019–2023)
2019 Emporia State 27–22 19–14
2020 Emporia State 13–7 5–1
2021 Emporia State 17–25 13–20
2022 Emporia State 21–31 13–20
2023 Emporia State 18–31 12–21
Emporia State: 97–116 (.455) 62–76 (.449)
Total: 97–116 (.455)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Brad Hill (2024–future)

[edit]

On May 26, 2023, Brad Hill, former Emporia State baseball player, was announced as the next head baseball coach.[31]

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Emporia State Hornets (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) (2024–present)
2023 Emporia State 0–0 0–0
Emporia State: 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–)
Total: 0–0 (–)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Venue and culture

[edit]

Stadium

[edit]

Glennen Field at Trusler Sports Complex opened in 1992. The field was named after Emporia State University President, Robert E. Glennen, who served from 1984 to 1997.[32] In 2009, a new artificial turf was installed to Glennen Field to replace the infield.[33] Glennen Field also received a new scoreboard and an indoor hitting facility during the 2009 season.[33]

School colors

[edit]
   
Black Gold

Emporia State's official school colors are black and gold.[34] They have been the colors since the school was founded in 1863, and until recently, the gold was Old gold.[35]

Mascot

[edit]
Main article: Corky the Hornet
Corky the Hornet at an Emporia State football game.

Corky the Hornet is Emporia State University's mascot.[36] In 1923 when the Emporia State was named to the Kansas State Teachers College, the athletic teams were known as the "Yaps". Many people were not fond of the name, most notably Emporia State coach, Vic Trusler.[37] Trusler suggested to Cecil Carle of the Emporia Gazette that the university's athletic teams should be called the "Yellow Jackets". However, the name changed to "Hornets" due to the lack of newspaper space.[37]

In 1933, the Teachers College had a student contest where students and staff could design a mascot for the college. Sophomore Paul Edwards, who graduated in 1937, designed Corky. Although hundreds of drawings were submitted, Edwards' Corky, a "human-like" hornet was selected. Corky was published in The Bulletin, the student newspaper for Emporia State University.[37]

Notable alumni

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Emporia State University Brand Materials + Media Kit". emporia.edu. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  2. ^ "Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association". Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  3. ^ "Emporia State University Athletics – Staff Directory". Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  4. ^ "Emporia State University Athletics – 2011 Baseball Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  5. ^ "Emporia State University Athletics – 2014–15 Baseball Coaching Staff". Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  6. ^ "Emporia State University Athletics – 2014–15 Baseball Schedule". Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  7. ^ "Baseball DII". Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  8. ^ Corbitt, Ken (May 25, 2006). "Fornelli has ESU back in national contention". CJOnline.com. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  9. ^ "10 Aug 1962, Page 33 – at". Newspapers.com. August 10, 1962. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  10. ^ "19 Feb 1963, Page 13 – at". Newspapers.com. February 19, 1963. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  11. ^ "31 May 1965, Page 9 – at". Newspapers.com. May 31, 1965. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  12. ^ a b "6 Sep 1969, Page 14 – at". Newspapers.com. September 6, 1969. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  13. ^ "UCR Fiat Lux: Mr. Baseball". Fiatlux.ucr.edu. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  14. ^ Phil Benner. "Jack Smitheran". Riverside Sport Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  15. ^ "The Fort Scott Tribune – Google News Archive Search". Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  16. ^ Deutsch, Jonathan. "ESU wins 10–8, Fornelli ties record". Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  17. ^ Lilly, Chris. "ESU baseball coach Bob Fornelli becomes program's winningest coach". Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  18. ^ Quality Electric Inc 785-843-9211 (July 11, 1992). "Jayhawk Reject Now Up With Royals / Ljworld.Com". .ljworld.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ "EmberyleavingEmporia – Joplin Globe: Sports". Joplin Globe. April 7, 2006. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  20. ^ tswisher (August 4, 2011). "Embery takes reins of Green River Baseball – NWACSports". Nwaacc.org. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  21. ^ Corbitt, Ken (May 24, 2003). "Fornelli leaves FHSU for Emporia State". Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  22. ^ "Emporia State University Athletics – Staff Directory". Esuhornets.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  23. ^ Michael Ashford (May 19, 2008). "ESU baseball ends season with 17–14 loss to UNO – Emporia Gazette: ESU". Emporia Gazette. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  24. ^ "Lynn Defeats Emporia State, 2–1". NCAA.com. November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  25. ^ Lilly, Chris. "ESU baseball coach Bob Fornelli becomes program's winningest coach". Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  26. ^ Gasper, Matt (May 9, 2018). "ESU baseball celebrates Coach Fornelli's 900th win". Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  27. ^ Rahe, Greg. "Emporia State baseball coach Bob Fornelli offered job at Pitt State". kvoe.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  28. ^ Coleman, Stephen. "Change of tenure". The Emporia Gazette. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  29. ^ "Emporia State Tabs Wheeler as Newest Baseball Coach". Emporia State University Athletics. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  30. ^ "Emporia State baseball to make coaching change". May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  31. ^ "Brad Hill Named Next Emporia State Baseball Coach" (Press release). May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  32. ^ "Emporia State University Athletics – Facilities – Trusler Sports Complex". Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  33. ^ a b "The Bulletin: Trusler Sports Complex renovations underway". Archived from the original on June 19, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  34. ^ "Emporia State Colors: Marketing & Media Relations". Emporia.edu. Emporia State University. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  35. ^ "2013 ESU Football Media Guide" (PDF). September 19, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  36. ^ "Corky the Hornet". Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  37. ^ a b c "The Legend of Corky the Hornet". September 18, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
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