Softball | 4/21/2012 8:34:00 PM
Game one box score
Game two box score
April 21, 2012-In a wild game that saw 29 runs, 33 hits and eight errors, the #14 Emporia State softball team ended #3 Central Oklahoma's 35 game winning streak with a 15-14 lead. The Bronchos had extended the streak to 35 with a 3-2 win over the Hornets in game one of the double header in Edmond,Okla.
The first two Hornets to bat scored to open the first game. Andrea Piezuch doubled and went to third on Jessica Brewer's single. Brewer stole second and went to third on a throwing error by UCO's catcher Nathalie Timmermans that allowed Piezuch to score. Brewer then scored on Stephanie Goodwin's ground out for a 2-0 ESU lead. UCO cut the lead in half in the first when Timmerman singled in Kayce Raines. The Bronchos picked up an unearned run in the fifth to tie the game and Megan Whitmire homered to lead off the sixth for the game winner. ESU had runners in five of the final six innings, but did not score after the first.
Piezuch, Brewer and Goodwin all had two hits for ESU. Karley Schmelzer took the loss allowing three runs, two of them earned, on nine hits with two walks and five strike outs.
The second game was a wild affair that saw runs scored in six of the seven innings and the lead change hands four times. Taylor Reichard got ESU on the board in the first with an RBI single followed by a two RBI single by Jessica Gragg for a 3-0 lead after half an inning. UCO came back with four runs on two hits in the bottom of the inning for a 4-3 Broncho lead after one inning. Taylor Zordel led off the second inning with a double and came around to score on an error in the outfield. The Hornets then got three straight singles from Piezuch, Brewer and Goodwin before Tricia Vogel hit a two RBI double to give the Hornets the lead back. Amanda Self then hit her third home run of the weekend to give ESU an 8-4 lead.
Jennifer Heerey worked the only 1-2-3 inning of the game in the bottom of the second and ESU sent the minimum to the plate in the top of the third when Zordel was thrown out trying to steal after a lead off single. UCO pulled within 8-7 with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the third, highlighted by Ashley Noles two run triple. The Bronchos scored five unearned runs in the fourth to regain the lead at 12-8. After both teams left two runners on base in the fifth, Vogel led off the sixth with a double followed by a single from Self. Gragg pulled ESU within 12-11 with a three run homer. Gifford then singled and Zordel reached on a fielder's choice that failed to get the out on Gifford. After an out by Piezuch, Brewer extended the inning as she reached on an error by Kacie Edwards that allowed Gifford to score and tie the game. Goodwin then hit a three run homer to give the Hornets the lead at 15-12.
The Bronchos got their first two batters on base to start the bottom of the sixth. Lauren Sharp, who come on in relief of Heerey in the fourth, got out of it with a 5-3 double play and then struck out pinch hitter Macy McKay to end the inning. ESU failed to get any insurance in the top of the seventh as they left two runners on base. UCO opened the bottom of the second with an infield single by Kaylee Brunson, followed by two ground outs. Edwards then singled to put runners on the corners with two outs. Whitmire kept the inning alive when she reached on an error by Reichard at second that allowed a run to score. Brittany Weaver then singled to load the bases. Noles then singled to left to score Edwards, but Gifford gunned down pinch runner Kailee Roe at the plate to end the game.
Gragg went two for five with five RBI, a run scored and a home run. Goodwin was three for four with three RBI adn three runs while Vogel was three for four with three runs and two RBI. Every player in the ESU lineup had a hit in the game. Sharp picked up her tenth win of the year as she pitched the final 3.1 innings allowing two runs, neither of which was earned, on five hits.
The Hornets are set to end the regular season with a double header at Newman on Monday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. in Wichita, Kan.
