March 17, 2018- Emporia State splits day two of the ESU St. Patrick's Classic. The Hornets won 9-1 over Minot State in five innings, before falling 5-4 to #10 Minnesota State in the nightcap.
Emporia State 9, Minot State 1
The Hornets scored nine runs on 15 hits against Minot State. After the Beavers scored a run in the top of the first, the Hornets were able to get four runs in the bottom of the frame. Kenzie Garvin scored on a fielder's choice and Danielle Sprinkle drove in two on her double to right center. Rachel Kauss singled home Sprinkle to give the Hornets a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the second, the Hornets picked up two more runs on an Annie Rockley two-run home run to right field. After the two teams traded outs the next two innings, the Hornets were able to get three runs in the bottom of fifth to get the run-rule. Kelsey Phillips hit a solo home run, followed by RBI hits from Cassidy Beem and Annie Rockley as the Hornets won 9-1 in five innings.
Annie Rockley was three for four at the plate with three RBI and a home run. Caitlin VanVleck was two for three with two stolen bases and a run scored. Kelsey Phillips hit her second home run of the year. Kenzie Garvin had three hits in the game with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Montana Mesler pitched her seventh complete game of the year, giving up three hits and striking out six.
Minn. State 5, Emporia State 4
The Hornets got on the board in the bottom of the first with an RBI hit from Caitlin VanVleck, followed by Hailey Cope scoring on a fielder's choice to give the Hornets the early 2-0 lead. The Mavericks took the lead in the top of the second scoring three runs in the inning. After Minnesota State score a run in the third, the Hornets picked up a run in the bottom of the fourth on a sac fly RBI from Destiny Ojigoh. The Mavericks would extend their lead to 5-3 in the top of the fifth. The Hornets loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth and Annie Rockley came home to score on an error to cut the lead to 5-4. McKenna Davis hit a leadoff single in the sixth, but would get doubled up on a lineout to the shortstop. Danielle Sprinkle was able to get a two-out hit in the bottom of the seventh, but would be stranded as the Hornets fell 5-4.
Annie Rockley was three for four at the plate with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Caitlin VanVleck was two for four with an RBI and a stolen base. Destiny Ojigoh pitched four innings, allowing one earned run and Kelsey Phillips pitched three innings of relief for the Hornets.
The Hornets close out the ESU St. Patrick's Classic against #7 Winona State at 12:00 p.m., followed by Augustana at 2:00 p.m.
