March 6, 2018-Emporia State rallied in the seventh inning to tie up game two of their doubleheader against Rogers State, but the Hillcats were able to get a walk off in the bottom of the inning in a 4-3 loss. The Hornets lost the first game by a score of 3-1.
RSU 3, ESU 1
After the Hillcats picked up a run in the bottom of the first inning, the two teams traded outs for the next two innings. The Hornets got on the board in the top of the fourth as Hailey Cope led the inning off with a double and advanced to third on a bunt single by Danielle Sprinkle. Cope would come around to score on a fielder's choice off the bat of McKenna Davis. The Hillcats would break the tie in the bottom of the fifth as they were able to get two runs to take a 3-1 lead. Sprinkle drew a one-out walk in the top of the sixth, but that would be the Hornets only baserunner for the rest of the game.
Montana Mesler pitched her sixth complete game of the season while striking out four batters and giving up only four hits. Hailey Cope and McKenna Davis each had a double in the game, while Davis had two stolen bases and picked up her eighth RBI of the year.
RSU 4, ESU 3
In the nightcap, the Hornets outhit the Hillcats 8-5. The Hillcats scored three runs in the bottom of the first, but the Hornets were able to get out of a bases-loaded jam to get out of the inning. In the top of the third, Carlie McComb and Annie Rockley were able to reach on bunt singles to have runners on the corners for the Hornets. McComb would come home to score on a RBI groundout from Hailey Cope to cut the Hillcats lead to 3-1. The Hornets would rally in the top of the seventh as pinch hitter Kenzie Garvin led the inning off with a walk. Annie Rockley singled up the middle to put runners on the corners with two outs. Hailey Cope came through in a big way with a double that scored Garvin, while Rockley would come home on an error to tie the game at 3-3. The Hillcats would walk-off the game in the bottom of the inning on a two-out, bases-loaded wild pitch.
Annie Rockley was two for three at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base. Hailey Cope had two RBI and a double in the game to give her six doubles on the year. Destiny Ojigoh pitched 6.1 innings and had five strikeouts in the circle for the Hornets.
The Hornets get back into MIAA play as they face Pittsburg State in a doubleheader on Friday, March 9. First pitch from Pittsburg, Kan. is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
