February 27, 2015-The #17 Emporia State softball team pounded out 17 runs on 16 hits in a 17-4 win at St. Edward's to take the final game of a three game series in Austin, Texas.
Taylor Zordel got things started for the Hornets when she was hit by a pitch to start the game. She stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Stephanie Goodwin's sac fly. Caitlyn VanVleck walked in the number two spot and went to second and third on the plays that would score Zordel. She then scored on another wild pitch to give Emporia State a 2-0 lead.
The Hilltoppers answered with a run in the bottom of the first on an error by Laura Seeman in left field with the bases loaded. The Hornets got out of the inning with no further damage as St. Edward's left the bases loaded. Zordel led off the third with a double for the Hornets. After two outs and two hit batters Kaitlyn Caston delivered an RBI single up the middle and Danielle Sprinkle was hit by a pitch to drive in another run and give Emporia State a 4-1 lead.
A three run homer by the Hilltopper's Morgan Dufour tied the game in the bottom of the third and chased Hornet starter Kelsee Henry. Eryn Stockman came on in relief and after giving up a single to the first batter she faced, did not allow a hit the rest of the game.
The Hornets retook the lead in the top of the fourth with four runs on six hits. Seeman started things off with an infield single followed by a Zordel single. VanVleck drove in Seeman before Goodwin hit a two run double. Brenda Novelo singled in Goodwin to give the Hornets an 8-4 lead. Emporia State blew the game open in the sixth, scoring nine runs with a three run homer from Jacie Stephens and a grand slam by Caston.
Zordel was three for four with four runs scored as she reached base safely in all five plate appearances. Caston went two for five with five RBI and a run scored while Goodwin was two for four with four RBI and two runs scored. The top six batters in the Hornet line up all had at least two hits adn scored a run.
Stockman worked 4.0 innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit to the first batter she faced, to pick up the win.
Emporia State is scheduled to be back in action on Friday, March 6 against Lindenwood in the MIAA and home opener at the Trusler Sports Complex.
