Justin Hersch nearly pitched a complete game in the final game of the four-game series against Emporia State (Apr. 18-20), helping the Tigers stay alive in the conference tournament postseason picture. Hersch threw 141 pitches in 8.1 innings before turning the ball over to relievers to get the final two outs. Hersch improved to 2-3 on the year with his gritty effort.
Hersch retired the Hornets in order in the fourth, pitched around a bases loaded jam in the fifth, and proceeded to retire 11 in a row to hold the Hornets scoreless from the fourth through eighth innings. He retired the side in order in the sixth, seventh, and eighth. He recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts in the game, reaching his 10th on the final out of the seventh inning.
