Softball | 4/5/2014 8:55:00 PM
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Box Score 2 Game one box score in htmlGame two box score in htmlApril 5, 2014-The #7 Emporia State softball team won the first game, but suffered their first MIAA loss of the season in the second on Saturday at Missouri Southern. The Hornets won the matinee 7-3, but fell 9-7 in the nightcap.
Emporia State got on the board early in game one, scoring a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first. Taylor Zordel opened the game reaching on an error and went to third on Madison Rich's infield single. Stephanie Goodwin drove in Zordel with a single and a Jessica Gragg ground out scored Rich. The Lions answered with two runs in the bottom of the first to tie the game. The Hornets picked up another unearned run when Tricia Vogel doubled in Rich, who had reached on an error. Emporia State opened a five run lead with a four fifth inning starting with a two RBI single by Vogel. Gragg then hit a sac fly and Kaitlyn Caston had an RBI double to give the Hornets a 7-2 lead. Mo. Southern added a run in the bottom of the seventh for the final 7-3 margin.
Vogel was two for four with three RBI and a run scored while Rich went two for three with three runs scored and reached base all four plate appearances. Zordel scored two runs despit not getting credited with a hit. Caston picked up her nation's best 24th win of the season as she allowed three runs on nine hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
The second game started with the Hornets leaving the bases loaded in the top of the first only to see the Lions score seven runs on just four hits in the bottom of the inning. Emporia State would strand six in the first five innings before Eryn Stockman delivered a grand slam home run in the top of the sixth that pulled the Hornets within 7-4. The Lions added two runs in the bottom of the sixth to go up 9-4. The first three Hornets singled to open the seventh and load the bases. Gragg came through with a double to clear the bases and make it 9-7 with no one out but that would be the last of the scoring for Emporia State as the Hornets dropped their first MIAA game of the season.
Stockman was one for two with the four RBI on the grand slam while Gragg was one for one with three RBI, two walks and a hit by pitch. Stockman took the loss allowing nine runs, seven of them earned, on ten hits with three walks and a strike out.
The Hornets will be back in action Friday, April 11 against defending national champion Central Oklahoma at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Bronchos and Hornets are the only teams in the MIAA with just one loss in conference play. First pitch is set for
