May 1, 2015-After being no hit through the first five innings, Emporia State was able to tie the score late but fell in extra innings to Missouri Western in an elimination game at the MIAA Tournament. The Hornets fell 3-1 in nine innings.
The Griffons got on the board in the top of the first on three singles and a ground out. In the bottom of the first Stephanie Goodwin was hit by a pitch and Kaitlyn Caston worked a two out walk but both were left stranded. Caston and Janie Smith then locked up in a pitchers duel as neither team scored in the next four innings.
Caston allowed a Griffon on base in every inning but was able to work out of trouble without allowing a run to score over seven innings. Smith took a no hitter into the sixth inning when Taylor Zordel led off with a single up the middle. She stole second and went to third on a ground out. Dani Sprinkle then delivered an RBI single to left to tie the score at 1-1.
Emporia State had runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the eighth when Goodwin and Caitlin VanVleck hit back to back singles and went to third on a wild pitch. Smith was able to get out of the inning with a ground out and a strike out.
In the top of the ninth Shelbie Atwell led off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Brooke Schaben then hit a rope back at Caston that she was able to knock down but not make the play. Morgan Rathmann then delivered a double down that left field line that scored two runs and gave the Griffons a 3-1 lead.
Brenda Novelo reached on an infield single to start the bottom of the ninth. Jessica Gragg hit a soft liner that popped out of short stop Atwell's glove in front of second base but she was able to toss to second to get the force out. A pop out and strike out then ended the game.
Caston went the distance for the seventh straight game, giving up three runs on 11 hits with no walks and no strike outs. Six different Hornets each got one hit.
Emporia State will now await their NCAA Tournament fate. The Hornets were ranked eighth in the last regular season regional poll and will need teams in front of them to win the automatic bids to have a chance at going to their 12th straight NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Division II Softball Selection show is scheduled to air at 9:00 a.m. on Monday May 4 on ncaa.com.
