February 3, 2017-The Emporia State softball team had an early lead in both games on the opening day of the Southeastern Oklahoma Regional Invitational on Friday in Durant, Okla.
Okla. Christian 9, Emporia State 1
Marly Carmona drove in Jacie Stephens in the second inning to give the Hornets an early 1-0 lead against the Eagles in the season opener. Holly Hinkel would give up just three hits through the first four innings, but one of them was a two run homer in the bottom of the second that put Okla. Christian ahead 2-1. The Hornets would have runners in every inning but could only push across the one run. The first six Eagles reached base to start the fifth capped by a two run home run from Niki Davidson that made it 8-1. After a line out Bridget White hit a solo home run to invoke the run rule.
McKenna Davis had two hits while six other Hornets each collected one hit. Hinkel went 4.1 innings and allowed nine runs on nine hits with seven of the runs coming in the fifth inning.
Arkansas Tech 3, Emporia State 1
In the second game for Emporia State Annalise Rockley, McKenna Davis, and Caitlin VanVleck hit consecutive singles to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead with two outs in the third. Eryn Stockman retired nine of the first ten batters she faced until Sarah Coronado reached on an error to start the top of the fourth. Jalissa Gum followed with a two run homer to give Arkansas Tech a 2-1 lead. Ashton Sangster scored on a bunt by Coronado to give the Golden Suns and insurance run in the fifth inning. The Hornets had runners reach third in the sixth and seventh inning but could not push a run across.
Davis and VanVleck each went two for three with VanVleck getting the one Hornet RBI. Stockman allowed three runs, two of them earned, on six hits in 7.0 innings pitched.
Emporia State will return to action on Saturday when they take on East Central and Southwestern Oklahoma State. First pitch against ECU is scheduled for 12 noon in Durant, Okla.
