February 25, 2017-On their final day of action in the Husky Dome, the Emporia State softball team was swept by Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday afternoon. The Hornets gave up a walk off 4-3 loss in the first game and then fell 4-2 in the second game.
Game One
The Hornets took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning on a solo home run by Eryn Stockman in the third inning and a two run shot by Danielle Sprinkle in the top of the fourth. The Bulldogs got an RBI double by Sammi Sadler, an RBI ground rule double by Natalie Wright to pull within 3-2 with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Becky Smith gave the Bulldogs the walk off win with a two run single to left.
Sprinkle was two for three with two RBI, a run scored and a home run. Holly Hinkel got the loss in relief after Stockman went 6.1 innings without allowing a run.
Game Two
UMD scored two run in the bottom fo the first, left the bases loaded in the second and scored two more in the third for a 4-0 lead. Hinkel came on in relief and retired nine of ten batters to keep the Hornets in the game. Sarah Glass got Emporia State on the board with an RBI ground out in the top of the sixth. Cassidy Berry led off the top of the seventh with a single and went to third on Katy Rae Nordman's double. Val Kinney got a pinch hit walk to load the bases and Carly McComb hit a sac fly to make it 4-2.
Berry was two for three with a run scored in the second game. Kaelah McMullin allowed four runs on seven hits in the loss.
The Hornets will take a week off before beginning MIAA play next weekend with double headers against Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern at the Trusler Sports Complex. First pitch against the Gorillas is set for 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10.
