March 4, 2016-Emporia State led from start to finish in game one and came back from a six run deficit in game two to sweep Lindenwood on Friday afternoon in St. Charles, Mo.
Â
GAME ONE
The Hornets scored a single run in the second and two more in the third before erupting for five runs in the top of the fourth for an 8-0 lead. Erica Harper had a two run homer to highlight the fourth for the Hornets. The Lions got on the board with two in the bottom of the fourth only to see Emporia State score three unearned runs in the top of the fifth for an 11-2 lead. Lindenwood kept the game alive with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to pull within 11-4. Emporia State went back up 13-4 with two runs in the top of the sixth and then held Lindenwood scoreless in the bottom of the inning to invoke the run rule
Morgan Swisher was three for five with three runs scored and an RBI while Erica Harper was two for four with a two run homer. Danielle Sprinkle added three RBI. Eryn Stockman went the distance allowing four runs, two of them earned on nine hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Â
GAME TWO
The Hornets scored two in the first and after the Lions got one back in the bottom of the inning, scored two more to take a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the second. Lindenwood answered six runs in the bottom of the second to take a 7-4 lead. Hornet catcher Jacie Stephens was injured in a collision in home plate in which the Lions took the lead at 5-4. They would then score a single run in the third and two more in the fourth to take a 10-4 lead after four innings. Emporia State began their comeback with two runs in the fifth, including a solo homer by Erica Harper. They would retake the lead with five runs in the sixth inning on four doubles and two walks. Harper would give Emporia State an 11-10 lead with a two RBI double with two outs in the inning. Hannah Wright then tossed a shutdown bottom of the sixth on just four pitches and not allowing a ball out of the infield. The Hornets got a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh and Wright closed the game with a perfect ninth for the win.
Sarah Glass was three for four with two doubles, four RBI and three runs scored while Danielle Sprinkle went three for five with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored. Erica Harper was two for five with a double and a homer, three RBI and a run scored. Hannah Wright worked the final 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits to pick up the win.
Â
UP NEXT
Emporia State will travel to Jefferson City, Mo. on Saturday to take on Lincoln. First pitch of the MIAA double header is set for 1:00 p.m.
Â
