Softball | 3/21/2012 10:21:00 PM
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
March 21, 2012-The Emporia State softball team earned a split with #23 West Texas in a double header that saw a total of 45 runs and 53 hits in Canyon, Texas on Wednesday. ESU won game one 19-11 in eight innings before falling 12-3 in five innings in the night cap.
The Hornets started the day by putting three runs on the board in the first inning of game one, highlighted by a two run double by MIAA Hitter of the Week Tricia Vogel. They would add another run in the second on back to back doubles by Taylor Zordel and Andrea Piezuch before WTAMU tied it with four runs in the bottom of the second.
ESU regained the lead with an RBI double by Kendra Gifford in the third only to see WT tie the score again in the bottom of the inning. The Lady Buffs took their first lead of the game with two runs in the fifth. The Hornets answered with RBI from Vogel, Amanda Self, Gifford and Taylor Reichard to go ahead 9-7 in the top of the sixth. The Lady Buffs tied the score with two runs in the bottom of the sixth and neither team scored in the seventh to send the game to extra innings.
Vogel tripled to lead off the tenth and scored on a sac fly from Self before the flood gates opened for ESU. Gifford singled and scored on a double by Reichard. Jessica Gragg was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second when Zordel got an RBI single. Piezuch followed with a two RBI single before Jessica Brewer grounded out. Stephanie Goodwin drove in Piezuch with a single, Vogel singled and Self was hit by a pitch to load the bases when the game was delayed 30 minutes by rain. On the first pitch after the delay Gifford hit a grand slam to make it 19-9. WT would score two runs in the bottom of the tenth before Lauren Sharp ended it with her fourth strikeout in 3.0 innings of work.
Gifford was three for five with six RBI and two runs while Vogel went four of six for three RBI and four runs scored to lead a Hornet offense that saw every starter get a hit and score a run. Sharp picked up the win in relief of Karley Schmelzer.
Piezuch started the night cap off with a leadoff homer for the Hornets and Gragg hit a solo shot in the second. Self made it 3-0 ESU in the third with an RBI single. West Texas tied the score in the bottom of the third when Kim LeConte singled in two runs and came around to score on error in centerfield by Brewer. The Lady Buffs scored four more in the fourth inning, three coming with two outs, to take a 7-4 lead. Sharp relieved Jen Heerey after a lead off single in the fifth and gave up back to back doubles and a walk before Allie Cranfill ended the game with a three run homer to make it 12-3.
Gragg went two for two with a run and an RBI in game two for ESU who stranded seven runners, four of them in scoring position. Heerey took the loss, giving up eight runs, seven of them earned in 4.0 innings.
ESU is back in action on Saturday when they play host to #9 Missouri Western. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. on Turnbull Field in the Trusler Sports Complex.
