February 14, 2015-The #18 Hornets swept the final day of competition at the UAM 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark. on Saturday. Emporia State defeated Drury 3-0 in the first game and came back with a 7-6 win their second game against Northwestern Oklahoma. Sunday's schedule in Bentonville has been canceled due to the threat of winter weather.
Freshman Kelsee Henry tossed a one hit shutout in her first career start as Emporia State opened the day with a 3-0 win over Drury. She retired the first ten batters she faced before hitting Marissa Ross with one out in the fourth. She was later wiped off trying to steal third to end the inning. The Hornet bats started much earlier as Taylor Zordel hit her second lead off double in three games in the bottom of the first. She went to third when Caitlyn VanVleck reached on an error and both of them scored on Jessica Gragg's single to give Henry all the offensive support she would need. The Hornets added an insurance run in the fourth when Brenda Novelo led off with a double and Zordel doubled her home one out later.
Henry went the distance in the circle giving up one hit and two walks while striking out three. Zordel was two for four with a run scored and an RBI while Gragg went two for three with two RBI.
The night cap was much more of an offensive showcase with a total of 13 runs and 19 hits. The Hornets got on the board first again with a Hanna Weingartner home run in the third inning. A walk, error on a fielder's choice a double and a passed ball led to three Ranger runs in the top of the fourth. Kaitlyn Caston led off the bottom of the frame with a double and would come home an Novelo's two run homer with two outs that tied the score. Not to be outdone the Rangers got a two out, two run home run of their own in the top of the fifth to go back up 5-3.
A lead off double followed by two ground outs and an infield single gave Northwestern Oklahoma a 6-3 lead going to the bottom of the sixth. Caston led off the bottom of the frame with a single and Gragg hit a two run home run to pull Emporia State within 6-5. Jacie Stephens hit a single down the left field line and Novelo delivered her second two run homer of the game to give the Hornets a 7-6 lead. Caston retired the first two batters in the top of the seventh before allowing a walk and a single to put the tying run in scoring position. With a 1-1 count the runner from second tried to take third and was gunned down by Stephens to end the game.
Caston picked up her second win in two appearances, allowing four earned runs while scattering nine hits. Novelo was two for three with four RBI, two runs scored and two home runs.
Sunday's play in Bentonville has been canceled due to the threat of winter weather. The Hornets will head to St. Cloud, Minn. next weekend to take part in the Kelly Laas Memorial Tournament inside the Huskie Dome at St. Cloud State. The first game for Emporia State will be against the host Huskies at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19.
