February 12, 2016-The Emporia State softball split the first day of action at the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark. The Hornets played the two teams from Arkadelphia, Ark. falling to Henderson State 8-2 before coming back with a 6-2 win over Ouachita Baptist.
HENDERSON STATE RECAP
The Hornets gave up an unearned run int the top of the first to the Reddies. It stayed 1-0 until Morgan Swisher singled and went to second on a passed ball in the sixth, then scored on Katie Yoakum's single to tie the score. Henderson State loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh on an error, a single and a walk when Hannah Wright relieved Holly Hinkel. Morgan South greeted Wright with a triple and Alexia Lopez followed with a two run homer to make it 6-1. The Reddies would add two more runs in the inning to take an 8-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Sarah Glass walked with one out, went to second on a wild pitch and stole third before coming home on Marly Carmona's ground out to third to get the Hornets final run.
Hinkel took the loss, allowing four runs, none of them earned in 6.2 innings of work.
OUACHITA BAPTIST RECAP
Emporia State fell behind early in the nightcap, giving up a run in the top of the second, before exploding for five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sarah Glass drove in Caitlin VanVleck who had tripled to lead off the inning, to tie the game. Erica Harper would reach on an error and Marly Carmona would plate Glass and send Harper to third with a single. Cassidy Berry walked to load the bases Jacie Stephens broke the tie with an RBI single. Katie Yoakum drove in two with another single to make it 5-1 Hornets going into the fifth. A lead off homer by Alex Jennings cut the lead to 5-2 but Eryn Stockman settled down and allowed only two hits the rest of the way, retiring the final eight batters she faced. Back to back doubles from Berry and Stephens gave the Hornets an insurance run in the sixth.
Stephens finished the game two for three with two RBI. Berry went one for two with a walk and two runs scored while Yoakum had two RBI with one hit. Stockman went the distance, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts in 7.0 innings.
UP NEXT
The Hornets continue play in the 8-States Classic on Saturday against Arkansas Tech and East Central.
