#20 Emporia State Hornets (34-18, 16-10 MIAA)
vs. Central Oklahoma Bronchos (39-16, 18-8 MIAA)April 30, 2015 • 5:00 p.m. • Blue Valley Rec • Overland Park, Kan. Â
Series Record: ESU leads 25-20Â Last Meeting: at UCO 17, ESU 8 (4/19/2015)Â Â
vs. Pittsburg State Gorillas (33-17, 18-8) or Washburn Ichabods (27-22, 14-12)April 30, 2015 • 7:00 p.m. • Blue Valley Rec • Overland Park, Kan. Â
Series Record: ESU leads PSU 72-49Â Last Meeting: PSU 9, at ESU 2 (3/27/2015)Â Â
Series Record: ESU leads WU 87-53-1Â Last Meeting: at ESU 12, WU 1 (3/14/2015)Â Â
Up Next: To be determined
CHAMPIONS ARE MADE IN MAY Â
The #20 Hornets begin their quest for a ninth MIAA Tournament title with a first round game against Central Oklahoma. Emporia State has played in ten of the last 14 tournament championship games, won eight MIAA Tournament titles and are 48-14 all-time in the conference post season tournament. They are 12-4 in the MIAA Tournament under coach LeMaire.
LAST AT BAT
The #20 Hornets got back on track with a double header sweep of Missouri Western. The Hornets won the first game 2-1 and took a 5-1 victory in game two. Dani Sprinkle was two for four with a home run, two RBI and a run scored in the matinee. Kaitlyn Caston was two for four with a home run, three RBI and a run scored in the night cap. Caston went the distance in both games allowing one run in each game while picking up nine strike outs with just two walks.
THE COACHES
Julie LeMaire is 163-62 in her fourth season at Emporia State. She has been named MIAA Coach of the Year twice in her first three years with the Hornets. She is 251-138 in her seventh season as a head coach. She came to Emporia State after three years at Ft. Hays State. She is 26-16 in the post season with an 18-10 record at Emporia State. Since coming to Emporia State she is 7-12 against Central Oklahoma, 7-3 against Pittsburg State and 12-0 against Washburn.
Cody White is 80-33 in his second year at Central Oklahoma. He is 4-4 against Emporia State.
Elizabeth Economon is 120-91 in her fourth year at Pittsburg State. She is 3-7 against Emporia State.
Vanessa Becerra is 79-102 in her fourth season at Washburn and 113-120 in her fifth season overall. She is 0-12 against Emporia State.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 34-18, 116-10 in the MIAA and the sixth seed in the conference tournament. They are seventh in last week's NCAA Central Regional Rankings and #20 in the NFCA Division II Top 25. The Hornets lead the MIAA with a 2.68 team ERA and are second in the league in fielding percentage, on base percentage, stolen bases and double plays per game.
ABOUT THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma is 39-16 overall, 18-8 in the MIAA and is the third seed. They lead the MIAA in scoring, batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage.
THE SERIES
The Hornets lead the all-time series 25-20 and have won two of three MIAA Tournament match ups. Â
LAST AT BAT WITH UCO
The Hornets were run ruled 17-8 and 8-0 on April 19 in Edmond.
ABOUT THE GORILLAS
Pittsburg State is 33-17, 18-8 in the MIAA and is the second seed. They are ranked second in the MIAA in home runs.
THE SERIES
Emporia State leads the all-time series 72-49 and won the only previous meeting in MIAA Tournament play 4-2 in 2004.
LAST AT BAT WITH PITT STATE
Emporia State split a double header winning 12-4 before falling 9-2 on March 27 in Emporia.
ABOUT THE ICHABODS
Washburn is 27-22 overall, 14-12 in the MIAA and are the seventh seed. They lead the MIAA in home runs.
THE SERIES
The Hornets lead the all-time series 87-53-1 and have won 37 straight including five straight in MIAA Tournament play. Â
LAST AT BAT WITH WU
The Hornets swept the Ichabods 6-4 and 12-1 in Emporia on March 14.
TAYLOR MADE
Short stop Taylor Zordel (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) has not taken an at bat since getting her hand injured when hit by a pitch at Central Oklahoma. She is batting .384 on the season and is leading the MIAA in hits with 66, runs at 51 and and is second in stolen bases with 37 in 38 attempts. She had an MIAA record string of 47 straight stolen bases snapped at William Jewell. That was the 16th longest streak in Division II history. She has been the toughest player to strike out in the MIAA with just one K in 172 at bats to rank fourth nationally. She is second in career at bats among active Division II players and ranks third among all divisions. She is third in career stolen bases at Emporia State with 112, career runs scored with 187, and career hits with 270.  She was a third-team NFCA All-American as a sophomore at short stop.
THAT'S A GOOD ONE
Outfielder Stephanie Goodwin (Sr./Lenexa, Kan.) is one of 25 finalists for the Schutt Sports/NFCA National Division II Player of the Year. She is batting .407 with six home runs, 22 doubles and 58 RBI on the season. She is ranked tenth in the nation in doubles per game and 11th in RBI. She has the Emporia State and MIAA record for career doubles with 71 and and hits with 281. She is ranked second among active Division II players in career doubles and is third among all three divisions. She is 12th all-time in Division II in career doubles. She is ranked third all-time at Emporia State with 185 career RBI and 193 runs scored. She was an honorable mention Daktronics All-American outfielder last season after earning second-team NFCA and third-team Daktronics All-American honors as a freshman designated player.
IT'S NOT GRAGGING
Third baseman Jessica Gragg (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) is batting .331 with 12 doubles, six home runs and 35 RBI on the season. She is second in the MIAA and ranked 27th in the nation in sac flies. She is a career .352 hitter and was ranked 22nd in the nation last year with 62 RBI as she was selected honorable mention Daktronics All-American by CoSIDA.
CASHING IN
Pitcher/designated player Kaitlyn Caston (Sr./Burlington, Iowa) is 16-6 in 24 starts with three shut outs. She has a 2.73 ERA and opponents are batting .275 against her. She tossed a five inning no hitter against Lincoln. She is batting .305 on the year with six home runs and 38 RBI. She had one of the most durable seasons in Emporia State history last year. She set the Emporia State single season record for wins, appearances and complete games. Her 36 wins broke Kaylynn Schrock's MIAA record of 34 set during Central Oklahoma's national championship run in 2013. She is 52-15 in her career at Emporia State with a 2.49 ERA.
NOBEL PRIZE
Right fielder Caitlyn VanVleck (Fr./Liberty, Mo.) is one of 25 finalists for the NFCA National Division II Freshman of the Year. She has started all 52 games and is batting .346 with 37 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. Â
SUCCESS IN MAY
Emporia State has played in 11 straight NCAA Tournaments and 12 overall. They have a 35-25 (.583) overall record in NCAA Tournament play. The Hornets are 20-13 in NCAA tournament elimination games all-time. Emporia State has played in ten of the last 12 MIAA Tournament championship games with eight titles. Since 2001 the Hornets are 48-14 (.789) in MIAA Tournament play with a 47-10 (.846) record over the last 12 tournaments.
HORNET HISTORY
Emporia State has finished as the NCAA Division II National Runners-up twice, in 2006 and 2008. The Hornets have qualified for NCAA Regional play 11 straight years and 12 times in the last 19 seasons. The 11 straight years in NCAA Tournament play is the fourth longest active streak in the nation. The Hornets won the NAIA National Championship in 1983 and 1984 and won the AIAW National Championship in 1980.
UP NEXT
The automatic qualifiers from the MIAA, Northern Sun and Great American Conferences along with the next five highest regional ranked teams will compete in two NCAA Division II Central Region tournaments next weekend.
