April 21, 2017-Both teams had three run seventh inning rallies as Emporia State split a double header at Northwest Missouri on Friday afternoon. The Hornets scored three in the top of the seventh for a 3-1 win in game one, while the Bearcats got three in the bottom of the seventh in game two for a 3-2 walk off win.
GAME ONE
Eryn Stockman gave up a solo home run to the Bearcats Rebecca Maher with two outs in the first inning, but that would be the only run Northwest would get in the first game. That would be the only score until the Hornets came up in the seventh. Jacie Stephens reached on an error at third by Chante Adams and was replaced by pinch runner Carlie McComb. Hailey Cope was then hit by a pitch to put the go ahead run on base. Danielle Sprinkle laid down a sac bunt to advance the runners to second and third. Katie Yoakum then hit a single to left center that drove in McComb and Cope to give Emporia State a 2-1 lead. Katie Nordman then grounded out to third and Yoakum was able to come around to score on a error by first baseman Abigail Gilson to give the Hornets an insurance run.
Stockman allowed just the one run in the first as she scattered six hits through seven innings with five strikeouts and no walks as she won her 20th game of the year.
GAME TWO
The Hornets were the ones to score first in the nightcap as McKenna Davis opened the fourth with a single and scored one out later on a Hailey Cope home run. Stockman would extend her scoreless streak to 12.2 innings as Emporia State took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh. She got an out to start the inning then walked Chante Adams and gave up a single to Jessica Rawie. Abigail Gilson then doubled in Adams to cut the lead to 2-1. Karli Allen followed with a double to right that scored Rawie and Gilson on a close play at the plate to give the Bearcats the win.
Stockman gave up three runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings. Davis was two for three with a run scored while Cope went one for two with a two run homer and a walk. Jacie Stephens also went two for three for the Hornets.
Emporia State will wrap up the regular season on Saturday at Missouri Western. First pitch is set for 12 noon in St. Joseph, Mo. With two wins they can secure a berth in the MIAA Tournament, with anything less they will need to wait for the results of games on Sunday and Monday to determine their post season fate.
