April 10, 2018- Emporia State split their non-conference doubleheader against Newman on Tuesday. The Hornets fell 3-2 in the opener and won the nightcap 5-1 versus the Jets on Turnbull Field.
NU 3, ESU 2
The Hornets led off game one with back-to-back singles from McKenna Davis and Annie Rockley. Davis would come home to score on an error from the Jets to give Emporia State an early 1-0 lead. The teams would trade outs for the next two innings, but the Lopers would take the lead in the top half of the fourth scoring two runs. Destiny Ojigoh would tie the game in the bottom of the frame on her solo home run to left field. The Jets would break the tie with a solo home run of their own in the top of the sixth. The Hornets would get an opportunity in the bottom of the seventh after Ojigoh was hit by a pitch and Katy Rae Nordman followed her with a single. Ojigoh and pinch runner Gabby Biondo would advance on a passed ball to give the Hornets runners at second and third. The runners would be left stranded though as the Hornets fell 3-2 in game one of the doubleheader.
Destiny Ojigoh was one for two at the dish, hitting her third home run of the season. McKenna Davis had a hit, a run scored, and a stolen base in the game. Annie Rockley, Katy Rae Nordman, and Cassidy Beem each had a hit in the game for the Hornets.
Montana Mesler pitched her 13th complete game of the season, giving up one earned run and striking out three.
ESU 5, NU 1
Emporia State would open up the scoring in game two after a two-out single from Destiny Ojigoh and Danielle Sprinkle reached on an error. Pinch runner Carlie McComb was able to get the Hornets on the board, coming home on a wild pitch. In the bottom of the third, Caitlin VanVleck led the inning off with a walk and Annie Rockley hit a one-out double to center field. Sprinkle picked up two RBI on her two-out single through the left side to give the Hornets a 3-0 lead. The Hornets would pick up another run in the bottom of the fourth. Kelsey Phillips led the inning off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She would come around to score on a two-out single off the bat of McKenna Davis. Emporia State would score for the third straight inning after some heads-up base running from the Hornets. Rockley would reach base after being hit by a pitch and then would later come around to score on another wild pitch as the Hornets led 5-0. The Jets would score a run in the top half of the sixth, but that would prove to be their only run as the Hornets would take game two by a score of 5-1.
Annie Rockley was one for two at the plate with two runs scored and a double. Danielle Sprinkle picked up two RBI in the game to go along with her hit. McKenna Davis was one for two with an RBI. Kelsey Phillips started the game in the circle and held the Jets hitless through the first four innings. She pitched her fifth complete game for the Hornets and had two strikeouts.
The Hornets get back into MIAA play with a home doubleheader against Southwest Baptist on Friday, April 13. First pitch from Trusler is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
