February 20, 2015-The #17 Emporia State softball team had runners on second base in eight of nine innings and were only able to score two runs, but it was enough in a 2-1 win in nine innings over Minnesota State at the Kelly Laas Memorial Crossover in St. Cloud, Minn.
The Hornets had seven base runners in the first four innings before finally breaking through in the fifth. With one out Taylor Zordel reached on a two base error by the Maverick centerfielder. She went to third on a single by Caitlyn VanVleck and scored when Stephanie Goodwin reached on an error by the third baseman.
It looked as though that would be enough as Kaitlyn Caston took a no hitter into the sixth inning. She allowed a one out single in the top of the sixth but then got a strike out and comebacker to the circle to end the inning. The Mavericks finallyborke through with a single run in the top of the seventh. With one out Dana Mogren reached on an error but was erased on a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning. A walk put runners at first and second when Abby Whritenour hit a ball to center field that scored the tying run but Goodwin's throw from center beat the Maverick pinch runner Milligan home and the run down ended the inning.
With a tight tournament schedule the international tie breaker went into affect immediately. With a runner placed at second to start the inning, neither team could take advantage in the eighth. The Mavs had runners at second and third with one out in the top of the ninth, but Caston was able to get a ground ball and a pop up to end the inning. In the Hornets half of the ninth Hanna Weingartner was placed on second and stole third. Danielle Sprinkle then got the walk off with a single as the Hornets improved to 6-1 on the year.
Zordel was three for four officially and reached base all four times she batted. Caston went all 9.0 innings allowing one run on four hitts with three strike outs as she won her third game of the year.
The Hornets will be back at it on Saturday when they play Wayne State (Neb.) at 8:00 a.m. and #23 Augustana at 10:00 a.m. under the Husky Dome in St. Cloud, Minn.
