Softball | 2/24/2012 11:37:00 AM
Game Notes
Tournament Site
FLING INTO SPRING
Emporia State travels to Denton, Texas for five games in the Best WesternPremier Spring Fling hosted by Texas Woman's University. It is the final tourney action before starting MIAA play for ESU.
LAST AT BAT
Emporia State softball team stranded 13 runners as they lost both ends of a double header at Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. on Sunday. The doubleheader was a late addition to the schedule after the South Central Shootout was rained out in Durant, Okla. In game one Amanda Self went two for three with three RBI, Jessica Brewer was two for two with three runs and Kendra Gifford hit a two run homer but ESU could not overcome the 15 hit attack from UCO. Karley Schmelzer took the loss in the circle, giving up six runs in 2.1 innings in the 10-6 loss. In the nightcap three home runs accounted for five of the nine runs scored, but a sac fly by the Bronchos in the sixth was the difference in a 5-4 loss by the Hornets. Self hit a two run homer in the fifth to tie the game at 4-4 but UCO able to push a run across in the sixth thanks to a bases loaded sac fly. Jennifer Heerey went the distance for ESU, allowing five runs, four of them earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts.
THE?COACH
Julie LeMaire is 6-3 in her first season at Emporia State and is 98-80 in three seasons as a head coach. She came to ESU from Ft. Hays State and took the Tigers to the MIAA Tournament Championship game last season.
ABOUT THE FIELD
There will be 17 teams at the Best Western Premier Spring Fling with ESU joined by fellow MIAA members Central Missouri, Ft. Hays State, Pittsburg State, Truman and Washburn.
SCOUTING ANGELO STATE
Emporia State split with Angelo State twice in the regional tournament last year and trail the series 9-6. The Rams have handed the Hornets four of their six NCAA Tournament losses over the last three years. ASU is 8-2 on the year and riding an eight game winning streak into the weekend.
SCOUTING TEXAS WOMAN'S
Emporia State leads host Texas Woman's 6-2 in the all-time series and swept the Pioneers in two games at the 2010 South Central Regional in Emporia. Bailey Vrazel is batting .484 with ten runs and 18 stolen bases for the 7-2 Pioneers.
SCOUTING St. MARY'S
Emporia State won two games earlier against St. Mary's to take a 9-4 lead in the all-time series. The 8-5 Rattlers are led by Nicole Sardelich with a .471 average while Shelly Lee Zawadzki has scored 15 runs and Jared Gonzalez has driven in 12 runs.
SCOUTING TAMI
Emporia State swept a double header from TAMU-International last season in the only meeting of the two. The Dustdevils are 4-13 on the season and have just two players batting over .300 this season.
SCOUTING QUINCY
Emporia State is 5-4 against Quincy including an 11-1 win in 2002 in which Julie LeMaire walked and stole a base for the Hawks. Monica Gray is batting .400 as Quincy went 3-1 in a season opening tournament in Alabama last weekend.
UP NEXT
ESU will begin the 20 game MIAA schedule on March 9 at Central Missouri. First pitch of the double header from the South Recreation Complex in Warrensburg, Mo. is set for 3:00 p.m.
