Softball | 3/27/2014 12:47:00 PM
#9 Emporia State Hornets (26-7, 8-0 MIAA)
vs.
Washburn Ichabods (15-10, 7-3 MIAA)
Friday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • Turnbull Field/Trusler Complex
Sat, March 30 at 1:00 p.m. • Topeka, Kan. • Washburn Softball Complex
Series Record: ESU leads 78-53-1 Last Meeting: ESU 3, at WU 0 (4/2/11)
Radio: None Internet Audio: None
Up Next: at Pittsburg State • April 4, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.
Pittsburg, Kan. • PSU Softball Complex
TURNPIKE TUSSLE DOUBLE
The #9 Emporia State softball team takes on Washburn in a four game series this weekend. The first two games are at the Trusler Sports Complex and will count in the MIAA standings while the second double header will be in Topeka and be non-conference games.
LAST AT BAT
The 12th ranked Emporia State softball team improved to 26-7 on the season with a pair of wins on Saturday at the MWSU Invite in St. Joseph, Mo. The Hornets defeated Northern State 4-3 and Wayne State (Neb.) 4-1 at Heritage Park. Emporia State ended the tournament with a 4-2 record.
THE?COACHES
Julie LeMaire is 106-38 in her third season at Emporia State. She was named MIAA Coach of the Year after going 20-0 in the MIAA in her first year. She is 198-114 in her sixth season as a head coach. She came to Emporia State after three years at Ft. Hays State. She is 4-0 against Washburn at Emporia State and went 4-3 against the Ichabods at FHSU.
Vanessa Becerra is 46-66 in her third year at Washburn and 80-84 in her fourth season overall as a head coach. She is 0-4 against Emporia State.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 26-7 on the year and 8-0 in MIAA play. They are ranked #9 in the NFCA National Poll. The Hornets lead the MIAA in doubles, are second in stolen bases and fifth in home runs and batting average. Defensively they are second in the nation and lead the league in double plays with 20 and are ranked fourth in the MIAA in overall fielding percentage. They have won 16 of their last 19 games including a 12 game winning streak. Kaitlyn Caston is leading the nation with 19 wins on the season.
ABOUT THE ICHABODS
Washburn is 15-10 overall and 7-3 in the MIAA. They opened the season 10-3 and have gone just 5-7 over their last 12 games, including a 1-4 mark at the MWSU Invite last weekend. They rank second in the MIAA with a .331 team batting average, but are ranked 12th in the league in pitching with a 5.54 ERA. They lead the MIAA with 49 home runs on the season as eight players have at least four home runs on the season.
SERIES HISTORY
ESU leads WU 78-53-1 and has won 28 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. The last Emporia State loss to Washburn in the Trusler Sports Complex was a 10-7 decision in game two when they split a double header on March 16, 2004.
LAST TIME AGAINST WU
Emporia State ran it's winning streak against Washburn to 29 games with a double header sweep of the Lady Blues last season in Topeka. The Hornets won game one 5-1 and took a 9-4 decision in game two. In the first game Stephanie Goodwin went two for three with two RBI and a run scored while Amanda Self went three for four with a run scored. Karley Schmelzer went the distance scattering seven hits with four walks to allow one run with four strikeouts. Tricia Vogel went three for four with two RBI and three runs scored while Katie Huffman was two for four with four RBI and a home run in the nightcap.
UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern this weekend. Emporia State will take on the Gorillas on Friday at 3:00 p.m. in Pittsburg, Kan. and the Lions on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Joplin, Mo.
