ARKADELPHIA, Ark.  —  Henderson State opened the 2025 HSU Baseball Invitational with a 7-4 loss to Emporia State at Clyde Berry Field on Thursday.

The Hornets jumped out to a four-run lead in the first inning, due in large part to a three-run home run from Jovanni Toledo. Cal Jones got the Reddies on the board with an RBI single in the third. ESU added an insurance run in both the fourth and fifth innings, but HSU responded by putting up a crooked number in the bottom half of the fifth via a passed ball and a two-RBI Luke Farrar base hit. Henderson put runners in scoring position multiple times in the following innings, but the team did not plate another run. Emporia State closed out the scoring with a single run in the eighth.

Luke Rice, Alex Galvan, and Louis Holt recorded two hits each in the loss. They were also responsible for the team's three doubles on the night. Holt served as one of the team's four runs on Thursday, joining Austin Scritchfield, Jeremy Schork, and Julio Vasquez.

Baylor Brumley provided strong relief by striking out five and allowing just one run in 3.1 innings pitched. Luke Carter did not allow a hit and struck out three in 1.1 innings of work.

The Reddies will look to bounce back tomorrow when they face Central Oklahoma in the second day of the HSU Baseball Invitational. First pitch at Clyde Berry Field is set for 5 p.m.