March 22, 2015-The #11 Emporia State softball team wrapped up the Apple Market Classic MIAA-NSIC Crossover with a pair of wins against teams from the Northern Sun. The Hornets defeated #14 Winona State 9-3 in the first game and took care of Minnesota State-Mankato 4-3 in the second game.
In one of the "Featured Five" games this week by the NFCA, the Hornets jumped out in front early with five runs in the first. Taylor Zordel led off the game with a single, went to second on a single from Caitlyn VanVleck and scored on a single by Stephanie Goodwin. VanVleck scored on an error and then Goodwin came home on a single from Kaitlyn Caston. Dani Sprinkle capped the inning with a two run homer. Emporia State went up 6-0 on another RBI single from Caston in the second before Winona State finally got on the board with a single run in the bottom of the third.
The Hornets answered with a sac fly from Jessica Gragg and another RBI single from Caston to go up 8-1 in the top of the fourth. The Warriors pulled within 8-3 with two runs in the bottom of the fifth before Gragg's RBI double ended the scoring in the sixth.
Eryn Stockman went the distance in the circle, allowing three runs, one earned, on six hits. VanVleck was four for four with three runs scored while Caston went three for three with a walk and three RBI.
Zordel led off and scored in the first inning for the third straight game in the nightcap against Minnesota State. She walked and scored on Goodwin's fifth home run of the year as Emporia State took a 2-0 lead after half an inning. The Mavericks answered with two runs in the bottom of the first to tie the score at 2-2. It would remain that way until Jacee Stephens drove in Caston with a single in the sixth inning. The Hornets added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on an RBI double by Gragg to lead 4-2. Minnesota State got an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh but Emporia State was able to get out of the inning with the go ahead run on base.
Caston picked up the win giving up one earned run and three total on seven hits. Goodwin was one for four with two RBI while Gragg was two for four with a double and one RBI and Stephens went two for three with a double and one RBI.
The Hornets will return to the Trusler Sports Complex on Friday to take on Pittsburg State in an MIAA double header. First pitch of game one is set for 3:00 p.m.
