Softball | 4/25/2012 6:03:00 PM
TOURNEY TIME
After seeing their seven year reign as MIAA Champions ended last year, the #16 Hornets look to return to the winners circle this weekend at the Blue Valley Recreation Complex in Overland Park, Kan. ESU opens play against Lincoln on Thursday at 6 p.m.
LAST AT BAT
The #14 Emporia State softball team tuned up for the MIAA Tournament with a pair of run rule wins over Newman on Monday night. ESU won the first game 9-0 and took a 16-2 victory in game two, both of them in five innings. Tricia Vogel hit a grand slam and Karley Schmelzer tossed a two hit shutout in game one. Every batter reached base for ESU in the night cap led by Taylor Zordel's three for three effort with five RBI and two runs scored. Jennifer Heerey picked up her tenth win of the year, giving up two runs on three hits with four strikeouts in addition to her own two run triple.
THE?COACHES
Julie LeMaire is 35-9 in her first season at Emporia State and went 20-0 in the MIAA regular season. She is 125-86 in her fourth season as a head coach. She came to ESU after three years at Ft. Hays State and took the Tigers to the MIAA Tournament Championship game last season. She is 5-0 against Lincoln, including a 2-0 mark at ESU. She is 6-3 vs. WU, 2-0 at ESU and 7-6 against UCM, 2-0 at ESU.
Nicole Stacey is 40-105 in her third year at Lincoln. She is 0-4 against ESU.
Susan Anderson is 182-138 in her sixth year at Central Missouri. She is 1-17 against ESU while at UCM and has a 3-28 record all-time against the Hornets.
Vanessa Becerra is 18-22 in her first year at Washburn and 52-40 in her second season overall as a head coach. She is 0-2 against ESU.
SCOUTING LINCOLN
The Blue Tigers are 15-34 on the season and went 6-14 in the MIAA.
SERIES VS. THE BLUE TIGERS
The Hornets lead the all-time series 17-0 since the first meeting in 1992.
LAST TIME AGAINST LU
Jennifer Heerey made sure her Senior Day was a memorable one as she had the game ending hits in both games and got the win in the circle in the nightcap as the Hornets swept Lincoln. ESU won both games in six innings, the first 10-2 and the second 9-1.
SCOUTING CENTRAL MISSOURI
The Jennies are 25-28 on the season, 9-11 in the MIAA.
SERIES AGAINST THE JENNIES
ESU leads the all-time series 52-38 and have won 11 in a row against UCM.
LAST TIME AGAINST UCM
ESU came from behind three times, twice in the second game to earn an MIAA opening sweep at Central Missouri. ESU overcame a 2-1 deficit in game on to earn a 5-2 win and overcame deficits of 2-0 and 6-3 to win 7-6 in game two.
SCOUTING WASHBURN
The Lady Blues are 18-22 overall and 9-11 in the MIAA.
SERIES AGAINST THE BLUES
ESU leads WU 76-53-1 and has won 27 straight games against the Lady Blues. The Hornets have not lost to the Lady Blues since a 4-3 loss on April 20, 2005 in Topeka.
LAST TIME VS. WU
The #25 Hornets extended their winning streak over Washburn to 27 games with a sweep of the Lady Blues at the Trusler Sports Complex. ESU won the matinee 4-3 in 11 innings and took the second game 8-4.
