Softball | 4/14/2014 4:39:00 PM
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#5 Emporia State Hornets (36-9, 16-2 MIAA)
vs.
Central Missouri Jennies (25-17, 12-8 MIAA)
April 15, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • Turnbull Field at Trusler Sports Complex
Series Record: ESU leads 54-39 Last Meeting: at UCM 6, ESU 2 (April 2, 2013)
Up Next: vs. Central Missouri • April 15, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.
Emporia, Kan. • Turnbull Field at Trusler Sports Complex
NEAR THE END
The #5 Emporia State softball team takes on Central Missouri as they near the end of an eight game home stand. This will be the annual "Pink Game" to raise awareness of breast cancer and Applebee's Spring Autograph Day at Trusler.
LAST AT BAT
The #5 Emporia State softball team swept Northeastern State to move back into first place in the MIAA standings with two weeks left in the regular season. The Hornets won game one 8-0 in five innings and took a 5-1 decision in game two.
THE COACHES
Julie LeMaire is 116-40 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 208-116 in her sixth season as a head coach. She came to Emporia State after three years at Ft. Hays State.
Susan Anderson is 232-180 in her eighth year at Central Missouri and 413-352 in her 16th season overall as a head coach.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 36-9 on the year, 16-2 in the MIAA and ranked #5 in the NFCA National Poll. The Hornets are ranked third in the MIAA with a .967 fielding percentage and lead the league in double plays while ranking fifth nationally. Emporia State is also third in the MIAA in pitching with a 2.85 team ERA. Kaitlyn Caston is leading the nation with 25 wins on the season. The Hornets are fourth in the league in team hitting with a .312 batting average. Stephanie Goodwin is fourth in the MIAA with a .404 average and leads the conference in doubles with 14 on the season.
ABOUT THE JENNIES
Central Missouri is 25-17 overall and 12-8 in the MIAA. They rank second in the MIAA in hitting with a .321 team batting average. They are fifth in pitching with a 3.33 ERA and have a .960 fielding percentage to rank sixth in the league. Jakki Prater is second in the MIAA in home runs and RBI with 20 round trippers and 57 RBI on the season.
SERIES HISTORY
The Hornets lead the all-time series 54-39. Emporia State has won 19 of the last 21 games against Central Missouri, including a 13 game winning streak that was snapped last year in Warrensburg. The last home loss for the Hornets against the Jennies was a 2-0 decision at Trusler on April 17, 2009.
LAST TIME AGAINST UCM
Emporia State gained a split of a double header at Central Missouri. The Hornets pushed their overall winning streak to seven games with a 2-0 win the matinee before seeing a 13 game winning streak over the Jennies snapped in a 6-2 loss in the night cap.
UP NEXT
The Hornets wrap up their home stand in on Saturday against Southwest Baptist. The double header was originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 with this weekend open for make-up games. Neither team has lost any MIAA games so it was decided to move the games to Saturday to avoid missing additional class time. First pitch on April 19 is set for 2:00 p.m. Between games three Hornet seniors - Tricia Vogel, Taylor Reichard and Andrea Piezuch - will be recognized before their final regular season game at Turnbull Field.
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